Getting priorities right

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan says giving Gold Coast and Carlton priority draft picks would be unfair on other clubs.

“If you help (with draft picks) then you’re doing that at the expense of the competition generally,” McLachlan said.

“There was an assessment that the clubs had a lot of young talent, I think Carlton have got 18 first-round picks and they’ll get the No.1 pick again this year.

“Gold Coast have got 15 first-round picks on their list and they’re going to get picks two and 15 this year if Tom Lynch goes to another club, which is I think accepted, so they’ll get pick three as well.”

Instead of priority picks, McLachlan confirmed the Gold Coast and Carlton clubs, who finished 17th and 18th respectively this season, would be allowed to recruit at least one player outside the draft system under an AFL proposal ed discussed by officials on Monday.