THE AFL has confirmed the draft assistance packages for the struggling Carlton and Gold Coast, with neither to be handed priority picks ahead of this year's NAB AFL Draft.
Instead, both will be given first access to the best available state-league players.
The Blues will be able to pre-list two players who have previously been eligible for the draft or previously played with an AFL club, while the Suns will have access to three players.
Under the plan, Gold Coast will also have access to two additional Category A rookies.
Both clubs will be able to use the assistance packages to either bolster their list via players outside of the draft, or by trading them to rival clubs for additional draft picks or experienced players in return.
Brisbane and St Kilda, who also requested priority picks at the end of the season, were not considered for assistance packages by the AFL.
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"The review by Andrew Dillon and Steve Hocking of the submission from the Gold Coast Suns was strongly concentrated around the club's list build and retention history, its current TPP profile and an examination of the club's environment and culture around the playing list," League CEO Gillon McLachlan said.
"It was their recommendation to the Commission that the Suns needed to be able to access mature talent coupled with a greater emphasis on club programs and growing Queensland talent to generate sustained success.
"For the decisions around the Carlton Football Club, the examination of the club's request strongly focussed on its list management and player age demographic, the development and leadership for its players and the club's player management and high-performance areas.
"Again, it was recommended the club needed to be able to access mature talent for its player list.
"In the case of both clubs, it is the AFL's view that the addition of 2018 player draftees, coupled with the current younger talent within both club lists, will be able to lift the clubs up the ladder through the next three years."
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Carlton CEO Cain Liddle said the club was appreciative of the extra assistance from the AFL.
"It is now incumbent to the club to facilitate list management outcomes in the best interests of the Carlton Football Club," he said.
Tim Kelly's success at Geelong in his first season has put the spotlight back on recruiting mature-aged talent.
Kelly, a 24-year-old midfielder, played 23 games for the Cats in 2018 after he was picked out of the WAFL.
Geelong coach Chris Scott has been a vocal critic of the plan to allow struggling clubs special access to such players, citing the extensive work his recruiting team has already done before this year's draft.
Carlton's failure to land a priority pick, which would most likely have come after the top 10, could hurt their efforts to work a trade for wantaway Adelaide forward Mitch McGovern.
