Blues' bonus
Herald-Sun
Jon Ralph
February 09, 2008 12:00am
CARLTON remains eligible for a pre-draft priority pick this year, despite reaping star recruit Matthew Kreuzer last season.
The Blues leapfrogged wooden spooner Richmond and snared the first selection of the national draft after two years without winning more than four games.
But rather than having to notch another two consecutive seasons of less than 16 premiership points, the Blues will roll over their 2007.
That means they could again reap the top pick - as well as another top three pick - if their expected improvement does not eventuate.
Richmond is the only other club that can win a priority selection before the first round of the national draft, with the Tigers winning three games and drawing one last year.
If Richmond finishes bottom again this year, Carlton cannot again usurp it and seize the first pick. The AFL yesterday confirmed the Blues were eligible after confusion over whether the pre-draft priority picks were re-set when a club was awarded the prized selection.
Rule changes brought in for the 2006 season mean any club that wins less than four games is eligible for a priority pick after the first round of the draft.
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