Should Essendon be eligible for No 1 Draft Pick.

Ringo · August 23, 2016, 09:21:11 AM

As we come to the end of the season attention will turn to draft picks.

The AFL has stated that Essendon is entitled to it's draft pick as normal. The question I have is this fair given they get the majority of their guns back next year. Fair enough they have been punished with the 12 month suspension but I see this as a reward gifting them No 1 draft pick.

Is it fair to the lower teams to miss out on the best player in the draft due to Essendon's indiscretions?

My thoughts are that Essendon should receive picks 18 & 19 in the draft with all clubs moving up one.

Know this may incite some fierce debate and these are my thoughts. To put bluntly do Essedndon deserve higher picks than Lions, Suns or Blues.

iZander · August 23, 2016, 09:27:29 AM

we already lost our first rounder before prior to our actual punishment, so if you add that one to the one we would have got this year its about equal number1 :P (bit less but still lol)

iZander · August 23, 2016, 09:28:05 AM

Ps. Youre a brave man starting this thread ;)

RaisyDaisy · August 23, 2016, 09:32:53 AM

There's always going to be arguments for both sides with this, so I don't think there is a right or wrong answer, just opinion

Essendon have been punished enough IMO

If they did lose the pick, then the question would be when is enough, enough? When will they stop getting punished? It needs to stop dragging on and everyone needs to move on because they've been punished a hell of lot already

This draft pick is effectively impacting 2017 and beyond, and for that reason I think they are entitled to is as per the rules because we don't need their punishments dragging into 2017.

Surely they've paid their dues now?

Quote from: Ringo on August 23, 2016, 09:21:11 AM
To put bluntly do Essedndon deserve higher picks than Lions, Suns or Blues.

Suns and Blues will be fine. Suns go into this draft with something crazy like 6 Top 25 picks and the Blues have shown enough that they are going to be alright, so I don't buy into the argument about Essendon getting Pick 1 having an impact on the other poor clubs

As for Brisbane, no offence but they could get the Top 3 picks and it still wouldn't help. They're a completely different discussion

TL;DR, Essendon deserve Pick 1 because they finished last and that's the rules

Pkbaldy · August 23, 2016, 10:32:08 AM

The first punishment was for bringing the game into disrepute.

They shouldn't have Pick #1 for this same season. But I don't think they should get an end of first round pick either. I think they should get Pick #9, and slide all the finals teams back 1 spot. Because let's face it, they wouldn't be sitting on the bottom with a full team, and they won't be next year. So why reward a team for cheating?

Ringo · August 23, 2016, 10:33:57 AM

Not saying they should lose their first round pick just saying should it be 1?

I expect Brisbane to ask for a priority pick following todays board meeting (not in favour by the way.) which should be refused given Melbournes experience over the years. Injuries this year has not helped and we are still suffering from the go home factor of 2 years ago. Imagine Docherty and Yeo now in Brisbanes team rather than the 18 and 19 yo we have to play.

Gigantor · August 23, 2016, 10:42:27 AM

Didn't Carlton end up getting a number of high picks after finishing low on the ladder because of being punished by the AFL for cheating?

Essendon have already copped draft penalties so I don't see why they should keep getting more.

Torpedo10 · August 23, 2016, 11:19:21 AM

Quote from: Gigantor on August 23, 2016, 10:42:27 AM
Didn't Carlton end up getting a number of high picks after finishing low on the ladder because of being punished by the AFL for cheating?

Essendon have already copped draft penalties so I don't see why they should keep getting more.

This.

Their salary cap cheating years were arguably worse than Essendons issues and they got years of picks.

PowerBug · August 23, 2016, 12:06:25 PM

Essendon have served all necessary suspensions and copped all fines and punishments. Time to move on and it start by letting them draft first.

Actually, they won't be drafting first this season, because they'll win this week and Brisbane will lose and Essendon will climb up to 17th on the ladder! :D

Ringo · August 23, 2016, 12:16:52 PM

Quote from: PowerBug on August 23, 2016, 12:06:25 PM
Essendon have served all necessary suspensions and copped all fines and punishments. Time to move on and it start by letting them draft first.

Actually, they won't be drafting first this season, because they'll win this week and Brisbane will lose and Essendon will climb up to 17th on the ladder! :D

All probable - We tank to Saints by 100 + points North lose to GWS by 50 and maybe Saints sneek into 8th our % goes down and Bombers win. Great outcome all round :D

Bill Manspeaker · August 23, 2016, 12:48:00 PM

Quote from: Ringo on August 23, 2016, 12:16:52 PM
Quote from: PowerBug on August 23, 2016, 12:06:25 PM
Essendon have served all necessary suspensions and copped all fines and punishments. Time to move on and it start by letting them draft first.

Actually, they won't be drafting first this season, because they'll win this week and Brisbane will lose and Essendon will climb up to 17th on the ladder! :D
All probable - We tank to Saints by 100 + points North lose to GWS by 50 and maybe Saints sneek into 8th our % goes down and Bombers win. Great outcome all round :D

without doing the numbers I think we'd need more than that to make finals. something like North lose by 100 and Saints win by 250 :P

LaHug · August 23, 2016, 12:49:42 PM

Happy with Essendon having the top pick but also wouldn't be fussed if Lions got a priority pick that put them ahead. I don't think Essendon should be punished further.

nrich102 · August 23, 2016, 01:54:02 PM

Fuvk Essendon, I want pick 1.

Nah, I don't really mind tbh. Taking pick one off them probably doesn't set a very good precedent.

elephants · August 23, 2016, 07:41:00 PM

Imo when the punishment was handed down they should have been given the last pick of the first round this year irrespective of where they finished.

Too late to change anything now though, Essendon will have a damn good team as a result of all this in a few years time.

Big Mac · August 23, 2016, 08:15:36 PM

Quote from: elephants on August 23, 2016, 07:41:00 PM
Imo when the punishment was handed down they should have been given the last pick of the first round this year irrespective of where they finished.

Too late to change anything now though, Essendon will have a damn good team as a result of all this in a few years time.

I've had a think about this, and this is where I sit as well

Yes Essendon have been punished enough, but getting the first pick this year detracts from that, and makes their punishment less impactful overall. They are not deserving of the first pick because their ladder position is not reflective of where their list actually stands.