Rd 23: Post Game Reflection: Carlton vs Essendon

[Mav]

Have they done themselves a lot of harm if they lose pick 1?
Is there a standout?
Pick 2 is probably as good as pick 1

PSD may be a different story. We'll have to wait and see what's available.

That's the point.  If they have the 1st pick in the draft, they'll use that to threaten clubs who have youngsters who are out of contract.  For example, if O'Meara says he wants to go to EFC, Gold Coast is stuffed.  Usually, the wooden spooner can't attract star players and the possibility of going there forces players to be reasonable.  If Brisbane has the No. 1 PSD pick, players will make sure they don't have to go into the PSD.  But EFC will have a pretty good list and may play finals, so players may want to go there.

I think, though, that the threat of being forced into the PSD isn't as strong as it was when Nick Stevens aimed at Collingwood but landed in Carlton.  Stevens remained under contract until the ND was over, so he had to wait for the PSD.  I'm not sure, but I think players can now go into the ND if they prefer.  It used to be that players could only nominate their terms if they waited for the PSD but IIRC they can nominate them in the ND now.  So if the Lions win the spoon and GC doesn't trade O'Meara, he can go into the ND and the Lions might not pick him up if they have to use their early picks on Academy players.