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ESSENDON list manager Adrian Dodoro has rated Andrew McGrath as the best player in the NAB AFL Draft, but has refused to confirm that he will be wearing red and black come Friday night.

Speaking on radio station SEN on Friday morning, Dodoro said that the Sandringham Dragons midfielder was top of a list of "seven or eight" players who could be regarded as the best player.

But he said the Bombers would be taking the player who offers them the "best fit", which is why Hugh McCluggage and Will Setterfield also remain in the mix.

"There's no clear standout No.1 after you've done all the homework after the course of the home and away rounds. And now you're getting to do some more forensic work and you separate them, and we are going to pick who we think is the best player in Australia tonight," he said.

When asked about McGrath and if Essendon would take the best player or the "best fit", Dodoro said: "We think [McGrath] is the best. We don't think there's much in it.

"Obviously we have declared our hand with the three boys we narrowed it down to (McGrath, McCluggage and Setterfield). All three are going to be terrific AFL players and the one we've selected is probably ... we think he's the best and we definitely think he's our best fit."

Dodoro said the Bombers hoped that whoever they selected first would eventually offer the club great leadership.

"Wouldn't it be great to walk out with [a] Luke Hodge tonight or a Chris Judd ... someone of that calibre in your organisation - they take you to to greatness. That's what we're hoping the boy we choose tonight will do."

"All three are quality people ... from great families," he said.

This will be the first time the Bombers have had the No.1 pick in the draft.

And in a video sent to club members, Dodoro said of the unnamed No.1 selection: "And what he has got is what's between his ears ... that you don't measure ... it is elite."