Eade calls for abolition of priority pick


By Jennifer Witham 3:03 PM Tue 04 August, 2009

WESTERN Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade has weighed into the tanking debate, calling on the League to abolish the priority pick.

Eade said the League should shelve the priority selection for clubs that have struggled for consecutive years, to eliminate the perception lowly-ranked teams don't try to win games towards the end of the year.

However, he rejected calls for the draft to feature an NBA-style lottery citing the Bulldogs' finish in 2007, where they finished fourth with nine and a half wins as evidence that they didn't deserve first pick in the draft.

"I think there would have to be some sort of qualification if you're going to go the lottery system," Eade said concerned that the lottery may continue tanking speculation.

"If it is the bottom four and you're fifth last, then do you tank to finish fourth last with a chance of getting first pick?

"I think if you finish last, you get the first pick and that's it. Take the priority away."



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