Why Canada is so interested in this year’s AFL draft

One wouldn’t normally associate Canada with Aussie Rules, but our North American friends can’t seem to get enough of this year’s AFL draft.

Essendon confirmed they’ve received numerous interview requests from Canadian media after snapping up Andrew McGrath with this year's top pick.

The reason being is that the Sandringham youngster lived in Canada until he was five and the Bombers-bound player says his impressive achievement hasn’t gone unnoticed from friends and family on the other side of the world.

“Yeah they all found a way to stream it (the AFL draft) so they were all messaging Dad and I’ve got so many messages from all of them back home,” McGrath told reporters.

"A few of the Essendon staff were saying that a few of the media outlets back in Canada were trying to get a hold of them to get an interview."

MASSIVE RAPS: Bombers reckon they're onto a winner with McGrath

McGrath has a lot to live up to as a Canadian in the AFL, as he follows in the footsteps of Sydney Swans premiership-winner Mike Pyke.

The Swans ruckman won 110 games and won a flag in a magnificent career, before retiring last year.

But the Bombers are confident that in McGrath, they have their own Canadian-born superstar in the making.

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"He's a winner ... he's a leader and they're hard to find, so that was probably the major reason we decided to take him," Essendon list manager Adrian Dodoro said.

"He performs at a high level and when he performs he wins."

"I think what sets him apart is his mindset ... he's just really mentally tough.

"He rises to every challenge that's put before him and he plays in every part of the ground."