A last-minute move to hand AFL battlers Carlton and Gold Coast access to state-level talent would be opposed by Geelong coach Chris Scott.
A draft switch-up has been mooted to help the struggling sides return to competitiveness sooner than drafting and developing teenage talent.
The Cats have been the biggest beneficiary of state league recruiting this season.
Scott drafted Tim Kelly from the WAFL as a 23-year-old and has seen the West Australian lock down a place in the Geelong midfield.
But Scott is cautious on creating a new process to assist the Blues or other sides.
“Our recruiting teams and the recruiting teams all over the competition have done a whole lot of work on the players already,” he told the Sunday Footy Show.
“So 11th hour to deny them access to the players they have done a lot of work on would be really unfair.
“If it’s something that will be proposed down the track and there is a little bit of notice, so at least the recruiting staff can put the energy into other areas, I think it has merit.
“The AFL has to investigate the levers to help the teams. But I’m not sure that if you by design fall down the ladder you should be rewarded too much.”
A high-level Carlton delegation met the AFL Commission this week, where assistance – and possible priority pick – was high on the agenda.
Several clubs have bitten back at the idea that Carlton should receive a priority draft selection despite their two-win season.
Scott is more concerned of the top end of the ladder ahead of next week’s finals series.
The Cats roar into September off the back of two thumping wins over Fremantle and Gold Coast.
Scott was questioned when he declared minor premiers Richmond as “beatable” in the lead-up to their round 20 loss to the Tigers, but repeated his assertion on Sunday.
“I think they are beatable. I still stand by that,” he said.
“Will someone beat them? I think they are the odds on favourite.
“I think they are going to be tough to beat. They have clearly been the best team.
“But I think there are there is eight teams in the finals that would think if they don’t win a premiership they will be disappointed.
“It is one of those rare years where everyone would think if the cards fall their way they are a good chance.”
