In the latest instalment of his Please Explain column, Glenn McFarlane asks the AFL why it is even thinking about handing Melbourne extra help:-

Please Explain: Why Melbourne does not deserve a priority draft pick

It's locked in , doesn't matter what he thinks.

It's locked in , doesn't matter what he thinks.

When was it locked in?

No mention of the AFL's culpability of introducing the a flawed priority pick system in the first place, or a free agency system that clearly advantages those already on top, or greatly compromising the draft with expansion teams and concessions at a time when the MFC was trying to rebuild.

On those things alone, we should get a priority pick.

When was it locked in?

Crunch the numbers?

lololol

"acting in a manner prejudicial to the interest of the AFL"

What's more prejudicial to the interest of the AFL than a comically uncompetitive club?

And the idea that Melbourne should not be given draft picks because it didn't get its draft picks right is just insane logic. Perhaps stealing senior players from other clubs would be a more effective initiative, but good luck getting that one past the AFLPA.

Lets face it if this was a another club we would probably be saying they dont deserve one.

We have had heaps of priority picks over the years and stuffed some of them up. It hasnt helped us become successful. Look at other clubs who havent bottomed out who draft well and are successful.

I guess i would be happy with one but if we didnt get one then it may make us actually focus on developing our players but if we did get one you wouldnt want to stuff up.

Crunch the numbers?

Unless you have the AFL formula then no can do.

It's not a prescribed win-loss ratio/amount any more.

Given the circumstances/past seasons performance we should get one - but definately not locked in.

I'd prefer we got Sydney style support, an extra Million on the salary cap...

or GWS / GC style support unfettered access to any other clubs players...

or the favourable financial deals clubs out West get...

or the multiple night game, blockbusters that the"Big Four" Melbourne clubs get...

Etc...

And they complain about us being tossed a couple of early picks after 6 years in the doldrums.

If we don't get a priority pick this year, no team ever will/should.

The odds would be well in our favour I would think. Like your thinking 'PaulRB', and that would really set the cat among....

Lets face it if this was a another club we would probably be saying they dont deserve one.

We have had heaps of priority picks over the years and stuffed some of them up. It hasnt helped us become successful. Look at other clubs who havent bottomed out who draft well and are successful.

I guess i would be happy with one but if we didnt get one then it may make us actually focus on developing our players but if we did get one you wouldnt want to stuff up.

If it was another club, eg Bulldogs, I'd say they deserve one too.

And the argument that we stuffed them up in the past isn't relevant to if it would be a good idea now. Maybe we've leant the lesson about relying on young Messiahs and not developing players.

But in this age of free agency, I think agree with PaulRB - more loot to buy established stars would be more useful to us.

All that over 1 miserly pick…..

I was hoping for 5 priority picks and a 2m promotional fund to splash on an A grade Mid.

Too Much?

Unless you have the AFL formula then no can do.

It's not a prescribed win-loss ratio/amount any more.

Given the circumstances/past seasons performance we should get one - but definately not locked in.

The new formula for 2012 and beyond takes into account premiership points, percentage, finals appearances and injury rates for a club over several seasons.

I think it's safe to say we have all the variables covered...

All that over 1 miserly pick…..

I was hoping for 5 priority picks and a 2m promotional fund to splash on an A grade Mid.

Too Much?

Who do you think we are? GWS?

The new formula for 2012 and beyond takes into account premiership points, percentage, finals appearances and injury rates for a club over several seasons.

I think it's safe to say we have all the variables covered...

Unless we start winning

Unless we start winning

That would be the preferred option.

Could the AFL give picks that have to be traded for established players? I.e. each year the bottom two teams get picks 1 and 2 in a mini draft for that year (similar to the GWS mini drafts). Those picks could be traded to other clubs only for players.

If no other clubs offers a suitable trade for the mini draft pick I.e. only duds not solid players, only then can the picks be used by the bottom club.

AFL could have a mediator who rules on whether the offers are worthy or not, so clubs can't play ridiculous hard ball on the picks. Basically based on would the traded player be in your best 18? Best 10? Do you already have someone in that position? Realistically we are looking for established players moving to bottom clubs to improve them.

Could the AFL give picks that have to be traded for established players? I.e. each year the bottom two teams get picks 1 and 2 in a mini draft for that year (similar to the GWS mini drafts). Those picks could be traded to other clubs only for players.

If no other clubs offers a suitable trade for the mini draft pick I.e. only duds not solid players, only then can the picks be used by the bottom club.

AFL could have a mediator who rules on whether the offers are worthy or not, so clubs can't play ridiculous hard ball on the picks. Basically based on would the traded player be in your best 18? Best 10? Do you already have someone in that position? Realistically we are looking for established players moving to bottom clubs to improve them.

Tanking

The new formula for 2012 and beyond takes into account premiership points, percentage, finals appearances and injury rates for a club over several seasons.

I think it's safe to say we have all the variables covered...

I just don't like that there is a can be a degree of influence from the AFL.

I understand clubs didn't like the old system but at least it was transparent...

But back to the original statement - its definately not "locked in"

I just don't like that there is a can be a degree of influence from the AFL.

I understand clubs didn't like the old system but at least it was transparent...

But back to the original statement - its definately not "locked in"

You're right on all counts of course...

Shall we meet half way and say highly probable based on the components of the formula?

Tanking

Sorry to clarify, I intended this for use instead of priority picks when they are awarded (not every year).

Priority picks haven't been successful for any one, they don't bring immediate improvement, put pressure on young kids and are no guarantee of being successful.

The mini draft option would be more likely to encourage player movement, should have an immediate impact on bottom clubs and should allow top and middle clubs access to elite young talent to help extend their run art the if the current player.

A mini draft pick and a first or second round pick could be enough to secure a superstar on the trade table.

Could the AFL give picks that have to be traded for established players? I.e. each year the bottom two teams get picks 1 and 2 in a mini draft for that year (similar to the GWS mini drafts). Those picks could be traded to other clubs only for players.

If no other clubs offers a suitable trade for the mini draft pick I.e. only duds not solid players, only then can the picks be used by the bottom club.

AFL could have a mediator who rules on whether the offers are worthy or not, so clubs can't play ridiculous hard ball on the picks. Basically based on would the traded player be in your best 18? Best 10? Do you already have someone in that position? Realistically we are looking for established players moving to bottom clubs to improve them.

That would solve the problem of getting the club to agree, but in order to get the player to agree we'd need to increase the poor-performed club's salary cap. This should be the system they use instead of the flawed priority draft pick system.

Edited May 30, 201312 yr by Chook

That would be the preferred option.

Definitely - I've said in another thread that I hope we are never eligible for another priority pick in my lifetime...

Edited May 30, 201312 yr by Tricky

That would solve the problem of getting the club to agree, but in order to get the player to agree we'd need to increase the poor-performed club's salary cap. This should be the system they use instead of the flawed priority draft pick system.

Good point. Part of me doesn't like the salary cap idea because it is hard to organise I.e does it offset over year? Two years? What happens if a team has a sudden rise up the ladder and the contracts are still running? Perhaps there could be an additional "marketing allowance" for free agents or marquee players for clubs in the bottom 6 as well? I.e.an additional $200k signing bonus or something?

Also I think any clubs finishing in the top 4 should be prohibited from signing any free agents in that season unless they lose a free agent in the same free agency period.

And despite the talk against free agency compensation, I think it needs to stay or be increased, otherwise it will compromise the draft etc as teams won't be able to replace talent as it is picked off.