North Melbourne is once again the focus of the AFL's priority draft pick system, with the club receiving an assistance package after another poor season.
The Kangaroos have won just five games in the last two seasons, and haven't made a finals appearance since 2016.
With an assistance package in hand, coach Alastair Clarkson will move into the offseason with renewed optimism.
North Melbourne receives priority pick assistance package
The AFL has awarded North Melbourne with three end-of-first round draft picks: one in 2023, and two in the 2024 season.
Further, the Kangaroos will keep two additional rookie list spots for the 2024 season, extending a deal that was set in place last year.
It is the second time in two seasons that the club has been granted supplementary draft picks and added list spots.
AFL Statement
AFL CEO-elect Andrew Dillon believes the assistance package will help North Melbourne to stay competitive as it continues its rebuild.
"North Melbourne has faced considerable challenges in recent years having not finished higher than 17th on the AFL ladder in the four seasons since 2020. The club presented to the AFL on how assistance can help the club potentially improve its on-field performance," Dillon said on Monday.
"The AFL and football fans want a strong competition. Ensuring North Melbourne is competitive on the field and can build strength across its organisation, in the short term and in a sustainable way, is important for both the club and the broader competition.
"Under the leadership of President Sonja Hood, CEO Jennifer Watt and the club's board, the AFL is confident that North Melbourne is heading in the right direction. After assessing the club's position, the special assistance package can help the club deliver on its strategy for overall improvement in its football program and give greater confidence to staff, players and supporters."
Ryley Sanders added to North Melbourne as NGA prospect
Midfielder Ryley Sanders was added to North Melbourne's Next Generation Academy (NGA) last week, but appears unlikely to join the Kangaroos in his first AFL season.
Per league ruling, a club may only match a bid for a NGA player if their selection comes within the first 40 picks of the National Draft.
Sanders is expected to land within the top ten 2023 selections, after a standout campaign in which he earned the Larke Medal for the best performing player in the U18 National Championships.
MORE: AFL Phantom Draft 2023
North Melbourne Ben McKay free agency compensation
Alongside its top pick and assistance package, North Melbourne could gain another first round selection through free agency compensation.
As the club currently holds Pick 2 in the 2023 AFL National Draft, it could receive the third overall pick as 'band one' compensation for the departing Ben McKay.
Whether or not the compensation reaches 'band one' criteria depends on how much money the contract is worth, the age of the player, and could also factor in other variables — it's a secretive system.
A report from 7News' Mitch Cleary suggests that an Essendon offer worth over $750k a year could trigger the maximum compensation for McKay's departure.
MORE: Ben McKay trade news & free agency updates
History of AFL priority draft pick
In an attempt to provide additional help to poor-performing teams, the league has historically offered compensation in the form of a high draft pick, so that struggling clubs could secure extra talent.
Introduced in 1993, a team would automatically receive a priority pick if their win/loss record met pre-defined criteria, which at the time was five wins (>20.5 premiership points).
The league reduced the number of wins to four (>16.5 premiership points) in 2006 to ensure that legitimate struggling clubs would receive help.
However, the potential for corruption became a topic of worry for the AFL, who were led to believe that clubs were tanking in order to secure help.
In 2012, another amendment to the priority pick was made, scrapping the performance-based element out of the criteria.
To obtain a priority pick, the AFL would have to award the selection on a discretionary basis, potentially factoring in:
- Premiership points a club has received over many years
- A club's percentage
- Recent finals appearances
- Premierships won in recent seasons
- Injury rates
Players selected with priority picks
| Year | Pick | Player Name | Club |
| 1997 | 1 | Travis Johnstone | Melbourne |
| 1999 | 1 | Josh Fraser | Collingwood |
| 1999 | 2 | Paul Hasleby | Fremantle |
| 2000 | 1 | Nick Riewoldt | St Kilda |
| 2001 | 1 | Luke Hodge | Hawthorn |
| 2001 | 2 | Luke Ball | St Kilda |
| 2001 | 3 | Chris Judd | West Coast |
| 2003 | 1 | Adam Cooney | Western Bulldogs |
| 2003 | 2 | Andrew Walker | Carlton |
| 2003 | 3 | Colin Sylvia | Melbourne |
| 2004 | 1 | Brett Deledio | Richmond |
| 2004 | 2 | Jarryd Roughead | Hawthorn |
| 2004 | 3 | Ryan Griffen | Western Bulldogs |
| 2005 | 1 | Marc Murphy | Carlton |
| 2005 | 2 | Dale Thomas | Collingwood |
| 2007 | 1 | Matthew Kreuzer | Carlton |
| 2009 | 1 | Tom Scully | Melbourne |
| 2016 | 19 | N/A | Brisbane |
| 2019 | 1 | Matt Rowell | Gold Coast |
