Bombers keen to retain No.1 pick

ESSENDON look increasingly likely to retain the No.1 pick in this year’s AFL draft as they hunt for a midfielder who can provide them with an immediate boost.

The Bombers will go into tomorrow’s trade period with open minds but list manager Adrian Dodoro says they are a long shot to trade their top selection given the depth of talent in this year’s draft.

“It probably won’t happen,” he said yesterday. “There’s been clubs that have asked about it but at this point there’s been no serious offers.

Onballer Hugh McCluggage is widely rated as the player likely to go first in the draft after an outstanding under-18 season and has said he would be happy to join the Bombers, who finished last this season after losing 12 players to doping bans.