So we've been shafted by the AFL again. It was worth the attempt - let's move on.

Absolute disgrace. Especially as the recent picks we have had [courtesy of our low ladder position] have all been massively comprised by the two start-up teams GCSs and GWS who have enjoyed an outrageous plethora of selections.

It will be absolutely fascinating to read the diarrhoea they provide as justification!

Abolish the rule forever.

Could not possibly have a candidate at any point in the future unless they have already folded.

So we've been shafted by the AFL again. It was worth the attempt - let's move on.

Agree, we should move on to leading the campaign for an end to all deals for clubs that interfere with the draft and club lists, like the COLA, Academy Picks, International Picks, GC and GWS extra picks and allowances etc etc.

Then move on to seeking a truly equal fixture, that allows all clubs to flourish by maximising revenues.

Yes it will be interesting to see what diatribe they give in regards to an explanation why not? I don't think any team in the competition could have performed worse over an extended period except maybe "University"! It is time to banish the notion of a "Priority Pick" to never surface again. And it won't unless someone like the worms in black and white are down the bottom. Though that would of course be enjoyment in itself!

You were right.

Well Redleg when the AFL CEO goes on international equalisation-research junkets with two of the powerhouse clubs CEO's it hardly takes a genius to work out what happens next...

The unevenness in this afl comp is so glaring from the fixture to the stadium deals, teams who play on prime TV etc....

Understand that the support we got from the Afl to restructure the club was needed & PJ & co have done a great job & it's a far different club

But.......Maybe as a footy club we need to stop relying on handouts... Early picks... As proven last night with a rookie pick 30 who was overlooked in 3 drafts that if a club culture & development is right players will excel & win a brownlow!

Let's find the right players with the right character,attitude & get the best coaches to develop top players... bomber Thompson said it was great to see his team win those flags as all the players developed together.....

The unevenness in this afl comp is so glaring from the fixture to the stadium deals, teams who play on prime TV etc....

Understand that the support we got from the Afl to restructure the club was needed & PJ & co have done a great job & it's a far different club

But.......Maybe as a footy club we need to stop relying on handouts... Early picks... As proven last night with a rookie pick 30 who was overlooked in 3 drafts that if a club culture & development is right players will excel & win a brownlow!

Let's find the right players with the right character,attitude & get the best coaches to develop top players... bomber Thompson said it was great to see his team win those flags as all the players developed together.....

The problem is we're so far down a dark path that when we do finally find any diamonds in the rough, they'll be snapped up by the bigger, more attractive clubs. Players will dread being drafted by us until we can improve drastically. Talent will do anything to get out of our club, ala Clark and Frawley.

We need to get out of the cycle, and free agency will make that almost impossible.

Let me get this right.

Essendon gets a priority pick for systemic doping of their players but we don't qualify?

[censored] the AFL

Let me get this right.

Essendon gets a priority pick for systemic doping of their players but we don't qualify?

[censored] the AFL

When have Essendon received a PP?

Hi , My name is Biffen and I am a Melbourne supporter,

It has been over a year since my last handout from the AFL.

Today I feel like I can get through the day without a draft pick.

Now I just take it one draft at a time.

Thanks for sharing.

Hi , My name is Biffen and I am a Melbourne supporter,

It has been over a year since my last handout from the AFL.

Today I feel like I can get through the day without a draft pick.

Now I just take it one draft at a time.

Thanks for sharing.

biffo,you sound like a man who has just had his prostate removed

taking it one dribble at a time

Hi , My name is Biffen and I am a Melbourne supporter,

It has been over a year since my last handout from the AFL.

Today I feel like I can get through the day without a draft pick.

Now I just take it one draft at a time.

Thanks for sharing.

Hi, my name is rpfc.

I go for a small club in the AFL in a league dominated by others who have a more lucrative fixture, an allowance for non-traditional market teams to pay players more money, academies set up for those teams to hoard young talent, and can lure talent in an half-pregnant Free Agency player movement infrastructure.

The league has a rule to help teams that have a poor playing list to get better in order to create a better competition with draft picks to be used as investment in the draft or in trades. The larger number of good teams makes the competition more popular and sustainable.

The rule was not enforced once again, at the behest of the bigger clubs that don't require that rule at this present moment.

I love a club that plays in a compromised, non-competitive league where miracles are required for small clubs to reach deep into the finals, let alone the Grand Final.

Glad I could share, because the bigger clubs won't, and the AFL is impotent and misguided.

if people missed the article on MFC.com hers comes the BS reasons we didnt get a PP. Guess what? we've improved so dramatically we dont need a PP! haha I guess joint wooden spooner is as good as it gets for us. As for the significant injuries, I thought we had a good run with injuries. So we get a well done for recruiting well last year - and get no PP. and we recruit terribly for 8 years and get no PP. Clearly the PP will never be given out ever again

for the record I dont really mind not getting a PP, I just hate how the AFL runs. making up their minds on the spot and never being held accountable

The AFL formally notified Melbourne of its decision today, detailing a number of reasons, including:

While Melbourne had a poor year in 2014, it was an improvement on 2013 (four wins v two wins, a percentage of 68.4% v 54.1%).

- After Round 15 in 2014, Melbourne was 15th on the ladder with four wins and a percentage of 78.1%, before a poor ending to the season.

- Melbourne’s wins included wins against two finalists (Essendon and Richmond) and it lost three games by less than nine points and a further four games by less than four goals.

- Melbourne suffered significant injuries and lost playing time to a number of key personnel.

- Melbourne has a high level of young talent including Jesse Hogan, Jimmy Toumpas, Jack Viney (father/son selection at 2012 draft), Jay Kennedy-Harris, Christian Salem and Dom Tyson.

- Melbourne was able to attract a number of experienced players during the 2013 Exchange period including Dom Tyson (2nd best and fairest), Bernie Vince (3rd best and fairest), Daniel Cross (5th best and fairest), Viv Michie (from Fremantle) and Aidan Riley (from Adelaide);

- Melbourne may be able to trade Mitch Clark for another player or a draft pick and will receive a compensation pick if they lose any players to free agency

The AFL said it had noted in Melbourne’s application, “the Club has made significant improvement in 2014 in many aspects of its business. We have put in place a capable management team and board, and the governance and decision making processes have improved markedly. We have also employed a renowned senior coach in Paul Roos and put around him a coaching panel and resources in the Football Department that should have enabled improved on-field performance in 2014”.

- "The appointment of Simon Goodwin was also noted as bringing a potential for further improvement along with the potential benefits of the introduction of the AFL Football Department Soft Cap and Luxury Tax.

- The AFL concluded that while Melbourne has a poor on field record in recent times, this does not of itself constitute “exceptional circumstances” or a justification for awarding priority draft selections.