AFL football boss Steve Hocking hasn’t ruled out the possibility of Carlton and Gold Coast receiving priority picks at the top of the first round.
The decision would grant the clubs picks two and four respectively (based on the current ladder).
If the Suns were to be given a first-round compensation pick for Tom Lynch’s free agency departure, Carlton and Gold Coast would hold the first five picks in the draft.
Hocking said a decision hasn’t been made, but isn’t willing to rule out the possibility.
“That’s yet to be decided as to where (the pick) would get placed,” Hocking told SEN’s Crunch Time.
“(The possibility is) still there, but it’s something that needs greater discussion as to where the industry sits on all of this.
“Gold Coast are currently flush with top end picks so they’re well on the way and what I would say is there’s a lot of water to go under the bridge.
There’s that option (for the pick to be at the start of the first round), an option around mature age players as well. Do you need to go to a priority pick scenario or can you potentially give them access to mature age talent?”
“If you have a look at (Carlton and Gold Coast), that’s actually what they’re lacking. I’m not sure they need more talent.
“I personally think it’s broader than just pushing a priority pick towards them.”
Hocking revealed the Suns and Blues are yet to contact the AFL regarding a priority pick.
“Firstly, we need to hear from the clubs. They actually need to make contact with the AFL and put something forward and then beyond that that would be a discussion that needs to be held at the executive level and that goes through to the commission,” he said.
“I would say at this point it’s a fair way off because we haven’t actually heard from the club at this point in time.
“We don’t encourage the clubs (to come to us), but we’re certainly always in dialogue with the clubs.”
Listen to the full interview with Steve Hocking on Crunch Time below.
PICK THE POSSESSIONS & WIN 2018 AFL Grand Final tickets PLUS MORE thanks to Choices Flooring.
Pick the total combined possessions for Round 22 - Jordan De Goey (COL), Jarrad McVeigh (SYD), Mitch Robinson (BRI), Jack Billings (STK) & Jeremy McGovern (WCE). Eg.: 128
Enter below:
