Agree with this, and they'd better not bother applying for a PP until they've been as bad as we have for as long as we have.

over the next 7 years if they win less than 32 games they're welcome to apply.

Agree with this, and they'd better not bother applying for a PP until they've been as bad as we have for as long as we have.

In any event, they would be considered unworthy of draft assistance because they burn dwarves.

If the AFL does not give Melbourne a priority pick after our last seven years, imagine how bad a team will have to be to eventually warrant one.

Can PJ and co lobby some sort of appeal if we don't get one?

No.

Anything but pick 1 is pointless. Let's see how spineless the AFL are. As a couple of posters have mentioned lately, they go on this equalisation trip to the US and it seemingly makes not one iota of difference.

Pick 1 is the only pick that either gets us A grade potential or the ability to trade in a B grade cusp/A grade potential and improve our list. Equalisation, AFL. There should be absolutely no consideration given to any other AFL club. It isn't their call. It is the AFL's and an apparently independent commission.

That's not correct. Pick 10 for example would be a very valuable pick and even 19 gets us another trade or another mid in the draft

Quote from the Hun article this morning which suggests we won't get a priority pick:

It means the AFL’s equalisation discussions are critical to the well-being of the league.........

It means even the most powerful clubs are slowly coming around to the idea that radical measures might be needed to keep the competition in balance.

Radical measures are ok but not the use of a PP to help MFC get better more quickly? The quickest way for a club to make a profit is for them to start rising up the ladder. Simple stuff really but apparently clubs not keen on this particular equalization measure.

Apart from PP the obvious measure is revenue sharing from all big games and block busters (including corporate money from those games).

This is why I think we have a slight chance of getting a priority pick, the AFL has on it's hand 3 clubs that are heading on a similar path to the MFC, Brisbane is looking likely to lose a number of young players plus a couple of champions, St Kilda will be in all sorts next year if not next the year after and GWS has talent but a long way off. If they don't give a pick to MFC you are right it should be dead, but it can't be dead because the AFL need in particular the interstate teams to be competitive. If Brisbane continue on the path they are the AFL needs them to get back quick or the AFL will be looking at a monster bail out for them.

Disagree that GWS are a long way off. They have had every early draft pick known to man and have an incredibly good list. It won't be long before people are bleating that they have had too much AFL assistance.

If the AFL does not give Melbourne a priority pick after our last seven years, imagine how bad a team will have to be to eventually warrant one.

That is why I think we will get one. If not, as I have said previously the PP is dead. I think the AFL would prefer to have the power to help clubs if needed.

We can only hope Bartlett has been lobbying Mike Fitzpatrick through all this. Aren't they neighbours?

Demetriou on September 10: "GWS has plenty to look forward to, including Tom Boyd." Melbourne will not get No.1 as a priority pick.

If the AFL does not give Melbourne a priority pick after our last seven years, imagine how bad a team will have to be to eventually warrant one.

Don't worry by the time a Geelong, Collingwood, Hawthorn or Essendon team begins to fall down the ladder the rules will be changed.

WestCoast had an end of round 1 priority pick, which was pick 26 in the end, and got Jack Darling.

Can make a difference. Long term.

what, buy interfering in the draft via setting up bad press about players?

having them go out & get into trouble to setup a poor public reputation?

That's not correct. Pick 10 for example would be a very valuable pick and even 19 gets us another trade or another mid in the draft

Agreed I would be happy with pick 10 and accept pick 19

Me on September 5:

AFL will defer Melbourne's priority pick to 2014 & hope the Dees improve so the issue resolves itself without having to upset other clubs.

Me on September 10:

We will either get a low pick or it will be bumped to 2014 when they can "revisit" the issue.

Wonder how close I'll be.

I think we will get an end of first round pick, I certainly dont think a before first round pick will occur. The calls for us here and abroad for the Commission to ignore the AFL executives recommended dossier is ridiculous in the extreme, given season 2013 on back of 2011-12. Any other irrelevant factors shouldn't be taken into consideration - including that of Jesse Hogan.

The AFL spruiks equality and radical measures to keep the comp in balance. They even fly abroad for avenues. It's in the AFL's and other clubs interests, not just MFC that crowds flock; gate receipts remain at acceptable levels.

Demetriou on September 10: "GWS has plenty to look forward to, including Tom Boyd." Melbourne will not get No.1 as a priority pick.

Maybe he was predicting we would use out pick on a mid so they'd take Boyd with pick 2?

Demetriou on September 10: "GWS has plenty to look forward to, including Tom Boyd." Melbourne will not get No.1 as a priority pick.

Okay, thanks for that.

I actually think a mid-first round or after first round PP could be more beneficial to us if we are seeking to trade it out for an established player. If we got pick 1 we would be unwilling to give it up unless it was for a genuine midfield gun. No club would give up a genuine gun for the chance to draft another one, it doesn't make sense. And there are none that seem to be willing to walk out on their clubs at the moment with the exception of a couple of FA. Having pick or 9 or 19 however could give us some handy currency if we are looking to trade it out for a guy like Adams.

To those who think if we don't get a PP, the AFL will never be able to grant one to anyone in the future, the cynic in me says there is only one thing the AFL is consistent in - its inconsistency.

Quote from the Hun article this morning which suggests we won't get a priority pick:

It means the AFL’s equalisation discussions are critical to the well-being of the league.........

It means even the most powerful clubs are slowly coming around to the idea that radical measures might be needed to keep the competition in balance.

Radical measures are ok but not the use of a PP to help MFC get better more quickly? The quickest way for a club to make a profit is for them to start rising up the ladder. Simple stuff really but apparently clubs not keen on this particular equalization measure.

Apart from PP the obvious measure is revenue sharing from all big games and block busters (including corporate money from those games).

No, this is not the path to go down at all. What that presents is a 2 tier competition with the strong getting stronger. The only way to equalise the competition is to have all clubs playing the good competitive football and to share the big games and block busters like Friday night and Anzac day. By playing in the big games you can build a fan & revenue base, by being excluded you are essentially relying on hand outs until the AFL and strong clubs get sick of it and you're gone.

Ironic we are a basket case during the season with every man and his dog bagging us and now because we have applied for a pp suddenly we have great players and plenty of upside.

Unbelievable.

its all very NIMBY isnt it !!

I don't think the AFL is conditioning MFC supporters to expect no priority pick with leaks...

I think the AFL is using leaks to keep the football natives' restlessness at bay until the very last moment, when the decision is to be announced.

That way, if it is going to elicit a negative reaction, the outrage has not been building for weeks in the lead up.

The timing is also designed to have it largely lost in the buzz of the brownlow and GF.

I can't see us NOT getting one.

Mid first round is my guess...

When do we hear their decision?

Personally reckon we'll get nothing. As in, nothing.

The league office is filled with sycophants that will try to keep the other 17 clubs happy. Foregone conclusion, IMO.

Three questions:

1. Aren't they meeting today?
2. What time is their meeting scheduled to finish?
3. I am presuming that it is early enough for them to duck back home or to their hotel room in time to change into a monkey suit for tonight's Brownlow count?