Chris Connolly says AFL must follow NBA and introduce draft lottery to end ugly tanking talk

THERE will be an unfair level of scrutiny of both clubs when North Melbourne faces Brisbane this weekend, says one of the men once embroiled in an AFL tanking scandal.

The Lions meet North Melbourne this weekend, with the No.1 pick in the national draft up for grabs. Picture: Getty Images

FORMER Fremantle coach Chris Connolly has urged the AFL to adopt an NBA-style draft lottery to put an end to ugly talk about tanking.

Connolly said the scrutiny that will be put on Saturday’s clash between North Melbourne and Brisbane Lions was unfair on both coaches, with the loser set to be rewarded with the coveted No.1 draft choice.

North Melbourne coach Brad Scott adamant his side won’t tank to secure No. 1 draft pick

Brisbane Lions don’t want to finish last even if it means missing out on No.1 draft pick

Damaging forward Cameron Rayner, who has been likened to Dustin Martin and Christian Petracca, is marginally favoured as the top draft prospect.

Former Hawthorn champion Shane Crawford on Monday night said North Melbourne should be happy with a loss.

“Finish 15th with win or bottom and get 1st draft pick?” Crawford said on Twitter.

“North would be crazy NOT to play all kids (and) try and lose #tankingbuttrying”.

Both clubs have scoffed at suggestions they would be interested in losing the match.

Macca’s take on the weekend clash.

North coach Brad Scott was adamant the importance of a competitive club culture outweighed the benefit of picking the best available underage player in the draft.

Connolly was suspended from the game for 11 months for his role in the tanking saga at Melbourne which cost the club a $500,000 fine in 2013.

While he would not comment on the Melbourne charge, Connolly said speculation about tanking would continue until the AFL introduced a lottery system to determine which of the bottom teams received the No. 1 draft pick.

Former Collingwood chief executive Gary Pert also supports the lottery system.

“We have been talking about tanking for the past six weeks and every year for a quarter of the season there is this discussion about whether a club would be better off losing games and finishing last if they’re not going to make finals,” Connolly told the Herald Sun.

The Lions meet North Melbourne this weekend, with the No.1 pick in the national draft up for grabs. Picture: Getty Images

“Now, I don’t believe for a second that any club has ever set out to lose a match, and players just don’t have that mindset, not to try their hardest.

“But I think there is this perception that it (tanking) exists.

“And on the weekend everyone will pour over every move that happens in the game.

“There could be 20 moves that could be potentially interpreted as tanking, if a young kid plays on the ball or a tall is moved forward in the game.

“But the reality is these two clubs will be trying to develop players in positions and make moves that help them on their journey to win their next premiership.

“And I think there was a situation where Greater Western Sydney invited the AFL to check its medical records to show players needed some surgery in the past.

“So I just think it’s unfair the scrutiny that goes on the coaches and certainly the AFL coaches’ Association should be pushing for a lottery system just to put an end to it all.”

Finish 15th with a win or bottom and get 1st draft pick👆🤔 North would be crazy NOT to play all kids try hard and lose #tankingbutrying pic.twitter.com/JNTBvMb0Ar

— Shane Crawford (@SCrawf9) August 21, 2017

Connolly said as part of the proposed lottery system, the bottom-placed teams should have a higher chance of securing the top pick.

It could be as simple as drawing balls out of a barrel, like in the NBA.

The intrigue surrounding the event would also add excitement to the post-season.

“The talk about tanking will go on forever until they change the draft to include a lottery system,” he said.