Carlton’s No.3 draft pick could slide back to No.4 if it lures Tom Rockliff on mega deal

CARLTON’S pursuit of Tom Rockliff could dilute its prized first-round draft pick should the Blues sign the Lions’ restricted free agent on a mega contract.

Tom Rockliff fires off a handball against Carlton.

CARLTON’S pursuit of Tom Rockliff could dilute its prized draft pick should the Blues sign the restricted free agent on a mega contract.

The Blues currently hold the No.3 draft pick, but that would slide to No.4 if Rockliff departs and the Lions receive maximum compensation.

The AFL determines the level of compensation, and Brisbane expects to either receive pick No.2 (a first-round selection) or No.19 (a second-round selection) should Rockliff, 27, walk.

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While the Blues — and every club — would only be relegated one draft position, moving from pick three to pick four increases the risk of missing the club’s top target.

Powerful Western Jets midfielder and early No.1 favourite Cameron Rayner is a chance to be available for the Blues at pick three.

The league factors in the age of the free agent and his contract offer when determining compensation, but the exact formula is classified.

Former Brisbane captain Tom Rockliff is a restricted free agent this season.

List bosses suggested Rockliff would need to command more than $750,000 per season for the Lions to receive a first-round selection, which would be the No.2 pick.

One club powerbroker said it could take $800,000 a season.

That would deliver the Lions a draft hand of picks 1, 2, 12 and 18 as well as a potential priority draft pick and additional first-round selection should they trade Josh Schache.

Even though Rockliff now stands out as the best midfielder available, the consensus was pick 19 was more likely.

A contract of $750,000 seems unlikely, although players are paid a premium to move.

Port Adelaide is also interested in Rockliff, but Essendon list chief Adrian Dodoro has ruled out his club.

My main man nursing me back to full health 💪🏻💙 pic.twitter.com/Il5IapA6Bx

— Tom Rockliff (@rockwiz38) September 20, 2017

Dodoro said the Bombers would instead target a younger midfielder.

Collingwood’s offer of $2 million over four years to Chris Mayne, 28, triggered a second-round selection for Fremantle last October.

Hawthorn recruit Ty Vickery and Magpies recruit Daniel Wells also triggered second-round selections for their former clubs last year.

Since free agency began in 2013 there have been 30 restricted and unrestricted free agents change clubs.

Only four have commanded a compensation pick in the first round — James Frawley, Dale Thomas, Lance Franklin and Brendon Goddard.

Goddard was 28 when he left St Kilda and signed a four-year contract at Essendon worth close to $700,000 a season.

Brendon Goddard signed with Essendon as a free agent at the end of 2012.

The belief from clubs is it has since become harder to qualify for top compensation.

The Lions will have the chance to match a contract offer for Rockliff and keep him at the Gabba. They would happily retain their former captain and the star midfielder has not decided whether he wants to leave.

On Friday Rockliff and his partner welcomed son Jack into the world and the 2014 All-Australian has since undergone shoulder surgery.

Clubs are confident that Jake Lever will request a trade to Melbourne once Adelaide’s season ends and Port Adelaide’s Jackson Trengove will cross to the Western Bulldogs as a free agent.

The Power would likely forego compensation for Trengove if they also signed Rockliff as a free agent.