Essendon has not wasted time in cashing in on its No. 1 draft pick, on Saturday encouraging fans to bid for hats bearing the 18-year-old's autograph.
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Young gun Andrew McGrath has not yet played an AFL game – in fact, he just finished high school at Brighton Grammar.
But the Bombers are selling two caps signed by McGrath with the date of the draft on the back, both of which come with a certificate of authenticity and a presentation box.
On Saturday afternoon each had a single bid of $150, which the website indicated was below reserve.
Greater Western Sydney has the second pick and chose Tim Taranto, but they did not appear to be making a similar merchandise offer.
Melbourne picked fellow Grammar alumnus Jack Watts as their No. 1 back in 2008.
When he struggled to meet expectations for several seasons, there was much discussion within football circles about whether the club had placed too much pressure on such a young, unproven player, particularly in handing him a debut against Collingwood amid much fanfare on the Queen's Birthday public holiday in 2009.
