Andrew McGrath is the captain of Essendon, a position that in previous decades has meant the prospect of lifting silverware and helping to dominate the competition. Unfortunately for him, that role is now more akin to keeping spinning plates aloft, as the club's terrible run of injuries seems to have no end and many of those injuries in key positions in defence. In earlier years he was groomed to play inside mid; now he is essentially a back pocket, getting involved sometimes on rebound but more often chasing tail up and down the ground until he gets puffed out.
Andrew McGrath is the captain of Essendon, a position that in previous decades has meant the prospect of lifting silverware and helping to dominate the competition. Unfortunately for him, that role is now more akin to keeping spinning plates aloft, as the club's terrible run of injuries seems to have no end and many of those injuries in key positions in defence. In earlier years he was groomed to play inside mid; now he is essentially a back pocket, getting involved sometimes on rebound but more often chasing tail up and down the ground until he gets puffed out.
Andrew McGrath has gone on a journey during his short AFL career from half back to inside midfielder, with the big body of a player who should excel in the clinches but the gamestyle of one who is better suited to outside work. He hasn't quite gone to the next level yet, and maybe the key to his best self is figuring out what the best mix of corridor and wing is going to bring out his A game. Essendon's inside mid brigade is going alright post the retirement of Jobe Watson, and maybe a flank role might be in his future. Fantasy owners watch on with interest.
How far, Don McGrath?
The move of Andrew McGrath to midfield can be considered a success in that he largely recreated his stat line from his time at half back in a more difficult position, save for his disposal efficiency dropping by five points to 70%. His near-identical contested rate of just over 30% underlined a role that started outside and mostly stayed that way, despite his ox-like frame and lack of blinding pace off the mark. For fantasy coaches, McGrath's utility going into 2020 classified as a CTR only is measured against a much higher baseline, a mark he has rarely threatened in his first three seasons. It wouldn't be the first time that a Rising Star winner hit his ceiling early in his career, though Daniel Rich eventually found a higher gear when he drifted from midfield to his original defensive position. As it is, McGrath is a late flier pick at best.
Same path for McGrath
As Rising Stars can sometimes do, Andrew McGrath trod water statistically in year two, shifting his ratio from 9:11 to 10:10 and increasing his metres gained per possession stat from 10 to 12, but otherwise not doing much different. A much-vaunted move to the midfield towards the second half of the season failed to move the dials. The problem with seeing much in the way of upside for McGrath going into his third campaign is that Dylan Shiel now arrives to take up a spot in midfield, plus Kyle Langford is demanding more centre time, so he may suffer the same fate as Callum Mills did last year and have to stay in defence. As it is, he's worth a middle-round pick.
McGrath's star has risen
The #1 national draft pick winning the following year's Rising Star award is no mean feat, having happened only three times in 24 years. Andrew McGrath handballed more often than kicking, and his mark average of four is small for a HBF, but there was no doubting his balance and decision-making for a first-year player. Speculation about McGrath moving to midfield will only boost his draft stocks, though it's probably too early for that to stick. There is a chance that Adam Saad will take his spot to release him up the ground, so watching his role in the JLT is mandatory. Otherwise, natural progression suggests a middle round pick.
