Essendon is set to nominate Port Adelaide-linked draft prospect Dougie Cochrane with its first selection at November's AFL draft.
The Bombers earned the top selection after claiming the wooden spoon in 2026 following two wins.
However, given Cochrane's appraisal as the best youngster in the land, alongside Carlton father-son prospect Cody Walker, the Bombers are tipped to force either club to pay full price.
"We're certainly planning on Dougie being bid on at (Pick) 1," Power list boss Jason Cripps said on AFL Trade Radio.
"Clubs do lie, believe it or not. But apparently they're not lying on this one. They're saying Dougie is a clear one.
"And yes, I'm happy to share that Essendon have told us that as well. There's obviously a lot of water to go under the bridge. A lot to play out from a planning perspective.
"We're planning for Dougie to be at Pick 1, whoever has got that pick."
If Cochrane is bid on at Pick 1, the Power will need to cough up 2700 in draft points thanks to the 10 per cent discount.
Port Adelaide currently holds Pick 4 and will need a second selection inside the first round to match it, per the new rules the AFL implemented this year.
The Alberton club is also waiting on a litany of selections from the entirety of the Zak Butters deal, whether that is the free agency compensation (Pick 5) as well as surrounding trades.
Or, if the Power match the Western Bulldogs, force a trade for Butters.
Part of Cripps' discussion was the future of Todd Marshall, who was initially thrown up as collateral for the Butters deal.
Marshall is contracted for another three seasons, and is coming off interrupted years due to concussion and a serious achilles injury.
"I am not going to provide a running commentary. We have some clear objectives; one is gaining picks and points for next year," Cripps said.
"On Todd (Marshall), we have open and honest discussions with him on his future. What is best for him and the club.
"We have to be aggressive with our list discussions. We need multiple picks and players, and Todd has value in the market as a key forward. Clubs do have interest."
Cripps attempted to reserve his judgement on the implications of the new AFL draft rules, and even touched on pick purchasing, which is slowly looming as a way of the future.
"We have been dealt a series of brutal challenges we need to work through, and I will save that for another day.
“Now is not the time to go into the specifics or detail of what we were working on and what transpired. But I will say this, we live in a system where the rules are complex and ambiguous.
“And clearly the rules or language within the rules can be adjusted at any time at the AFL's discretion. Even by a memo, which is frustrating.
“And it is a long list.
"If a club has space, then they should be able to use that (pick purchasing) as a choice. Allow clubs to be creative, particularly those close to the bottom and rebuilding."
