Essendon defender Andrew McGrath wins Rising Star award

ESSENDON says defender Andy McGrath will evolve into a permanent inside midfielder within the next two years after he was crowned the club’s second Rising Star winner.

Andrew McGrath was named Essendon’s second Rising Star winner. Picture: Michael Klein

ESSENDON says defender Andy McGrath will evolve into a permanent inside midfielder within the next two years after he was crowned the club’s second Rising Star winner.

The Canadian-born dasher polled maximum votes from nine out of 11 judges to become the first No.1 draft pick to win the award since Brett Deledio in 2005, and just the third in 25 years.

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McGrath, 19, suspected Ryan Burton (Hawthorn) had the gong “wrapped up” — and while the hot favourite finished second, Burton did not receive maximum votes from any judge.

Carlton’s Rising Star drought continued with mercurial goalkicker Charlie Curnow placing fourth, following Jacob Weitering (third) last year and Patrick Cripps (runner-up) in 2015.

While McGrath’s teammates have the weekend off, he must sweat through a training session today after missing yesterday’s main workout to attend the Docklands function.

Andrew McGrath with his Rising Star Award. Picture: Michael Klein

The Brighton Grammar product — who abandoned an Olympics dream to focus on footy — said he failed to meet his own high standards during pre-season games and was surprised to earn a Round 1 debut.

“Going as a high pick you put a lot of pressure on yourself to play early and play well early,” McGrath told the Herald Sun.

“I don’t think I was really doing that — I wasn’t training at the level I knew I could train at and I wasn’t really performing in the JLT series.

“(But) from Round 1 onwards I knew the coaching staff had belief in me.”

McGrath is introducing his damaging run and has won more than 20 disposals in six of his past eight matches.

Andrew McGrath with his family after winning the Rising Star. Picture: Michael Klein

“I started off a lockdown defender and have slowly progressed up the field, the last couple of weeks playing on the wing,” he said.

“I model my game a lot off Zach Merrett, and I’d love to play the role he plays some day. That’s my goal personally, and I think the coaches have the same view.”

McGrath kept dual All-Australian Eddie Betts goalless and to just seven disposals in Round 21.

Assistant coach Mark Harvey told McGrath he would be playing on Betts and the 178cm defender said he barely slept for the next three days.

“Zach got (suspended) that week. So in our match simulation, Zach was actually playing as Eddie deep forward, so I had a bit of practice on Zach, and it prepared me pretty well.”

List manager Adrian Dodoro said McGrath would “lap up” next week’s elimination final.

“He’s got composure. He wants the moment, he stays in the game and nothing flusters him at all,” Dodoro told the Herald Sun.

“He’ll make the transition into the midfield very quickly I think. In the next couple of years we’ll see an elite midfielder in the competition.”

Dodoro said it was a “tight” call to take McGrath No.1, ahead of Hugh McCluggage (Brisbane Lions) and Will Setterfield (GWS).

“But we knew he was a little bit more advanced and the mental capabilities of stepping up a little bit quicker than maybe one or two others, and he had the physical attributes as well.