AFL concedes Melbourne could receive priority pick, and if loses James Frawley could have top three draft selections

MELBOURNE could achieve the unthinkable and claim the first three picks in this year’s national draft.

Melbourne defender James Frawley is believed to have put a $800 thousand price on his hea

MELBOURNE could achieve the unthinkable and claim the first three picks in this year’s national draft.

The AFL has conceded it’s possible the Demons could receive a “special assistance” priority pick from the AFL Commission and if it happened, the embattled Demons would strongly argue for it to be used before Pick 1.

$800,000 COULD TEMPT KEY DEE

THE CURSE OF THE DEMON FORWARDS

If the Demons finished last on the ladder - they are favourites for the wooden spoon - they would receive pick No. 1 as per normal circumstance.

The third card to fall would depend on out-of-contract defender James Frawley.

If Frawley leaves the club via free agency, the Demons would be compensated with a draft selection, which would be allocated as the pick immediately after the club’s first pick.

It’s unlikely all three scenarios will fall Melbourne’s way, but if they did Melbourne effectively would have picks No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 in the November draft.

Macca’s take.

AFL football operations manager Mark Evans would not debate hypotheticals, but indicated a special assistance selection, if awarded, would not fall in the first round.

The likely spot would be ahead of the second round, thwarting the dream scenario.

“There is a provision for a club to apply for special assistance, but there would be a whole range of factors that would be taken into account,’’ Evans said.

“And the industry has growing reluctance for the AFL to provide picks at the front-end of the draft.’’

The Demons were last season denied a priority pick by the commission after clubs protested that Melbourne was in the position it was because of its own incompetence.

In the past seven seasons, Melbourne has won 34 matches and lost 124.

In the past two years, they have won six games and lost 38.

They are 0-3 this season and if the club did finish 0-22, the Demons would be expected to ferociously argue that under the criteria of ‘’exceptional circumstances’’, they needed a front-end first-round priority pick.

Hugh Goddard is a possible top three draft pick and may find himself at the Demons.

The AFL changed its rules for special assistance in 2012, dismissing the set thresholds of wins/losses achieved during a season.

The new rule “provides that the provision of special assistance is ultimately a matter for the Commission’s discretion and will be awarded only in exceptional circumstances.

“The decision will be based on a club’s on-field performance in recent years and any other matter the commission regards as relevant.’’

In Melbourne’s case, that would include the fact they secured Jesse Hogan as a mini-draft selection at the end of 21012.

In Melbourne’s favour is the AFL would have to determine what priority pick Melbourne received prior to any Frawley movement.

The top three picks in this year’s national draft are expected to be key forwards, namely 201cm Peter Wright, and Geelong Falcons’ teammates Patrick McCartin and Hugh Goddard, cousin of Bomber Brendon Goddard.

The Demons need midfielders, but also will need a replacement for recently-retired Mitch Clark and, if Frawley departs, a key backman.