Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin says the AFL granting priority draft picks is an “archaic” practice which is unlikely to fix issues for struggling clubs.
Gold Coast have formally requested a priority selection at the start of November’s national draft and will send representatives to state the club’s case to the AFL in the coming weeks.
If successful, the last-placed Suns would be given the first two picks, in turn forcing second-from-bottom Melbourne’s first selection back to pick three.
It could mean the Demons miss out on drafting outstanding young Victorian prospects Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson.
“It’s not only us as a club, I think it’s every club,” Goodwin told reporters on Thursday.
“We’re in a position now where we’ve brought in future trading of picks and the priority pick was something that was set up a long, long time ago.
“I think it’s become a bit archaic in its relevance and I think there’s other avenues where we can incentivise teams and bring that equalisation to prevalence.”
The AFL last year gave Gold Coast and Carlton “special assistance” allowances to sign state league players and is considering a range of measures to help out the Suns this year.
Rival clubs have recently expressed their concerns over priority picks to the AFL, questioning the benefits of trading future picks if the deals are later devalued.
Clubs have had the option of trading future draft picks since a rule change four years ago.
“The biggest thing that’s changed with priority picks is the ability to trade future picks and I think, personally, when you’re trading future picks, you shouldn’t have that hanging over your head of a priority pick being in the mix,” Goodwin said.
“I don’t think draft picks at the top end are necessarily the fix for everything.
“And there’s other ways we can incentivise clubs to improve, whether that be middle-of-the-range (selections) through the draft or other avenues.”
Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew refused to buy into the priority pick debate pending an AFL Commission decision on the Suns’ formal request.
“As a senior coach, it’s not my call,” Dew said.
“It’s not any coach’s call really, that’s for other people to decide.
“We’ve got our hands full enough trying to get our footy club going and our side.
“My focus hasn’t been on whether that’s the right thing or the wrong thing and I think I’ll leave that up to the Commission to make the call.”