No.1 PICK UP FOR GRABS

THIS is not the Cameron Rayner Cup.

That’s the sexy sell for an ugly contest. But it’s not quite the case. The No.1 pick will be decided when Brisbane hosts North Melbourne on Saturday afternoon.

The loser will profit the golden selection. Will it remain at the Gabba for the first time since 1998, or be delivered to Arden St for the first time in history?

Whoever holds the pick will boast the most marketability on draft night, as well as the cheeky chance of walking a player through to the pre-season draft.

If there were a betting market, Rayner would be favourite to have his name called first. He is the cool kid from Penleigh Essendon Grammar School who plays with power and explosion, similar to Brownlow favourite Dustin Martin.

Rayner wants the big stage and he simply makes things happen whenever he is around the ball. He could be the man for both the Lions and Kangas. Or he could be neither club’s first choice. The evenness of this year’s pool means both could get the player on top of their talent orders.

Some believe Brisbane might prefer a Paddy Dow or Adam Cerra, while Luke Davies-Uniacke could trump Rayner at the Roos. It is Dow with a bullet for some scouts.

But as one recruiter said yesterday: “Just when you are sold on a player they give you reasons to query them again. It’s a frustrating year with lots of injuries as well.”

Suddenly the four points at the Gabba — and avoiding the wooden spoon — doesn’t seem so bad after all.