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Indeed, yet they surely qualify for something with four bottom-two finishes in four years and a 14.9% winning record.
They have already received assistance: future picks in the second and third round of this year's draft that had to be traded for players. Fremantle currently hold both picks. It's quite weak assistance considering Gold Coast got more help in 2018 despite a better record over four years (three bottom-two finishes and 21.6% winning record). Gold Coast will reap the benefits of their assistance package this year when they get Academy access to three good players in the first round of the draft. These players with a new coach should see Gold Coast going close to the finals next year.
I expect North Melbourne will receive some more help this year. Their current picks: 2, 16, 39, 53, 59. They traded away their second-round pick (Adelaide has it) but they currently hold Port Adelaide's first-round pick.
So the question is, what help would North Melbourne get, if any? They seem to be pushing for additional first-round picks early in the draft (which would be pick 3). Their list manager was interviewed recently and said they had a clear "top four" for the draft. Perhaps they want a priority pick so they can pick two of these players rather than only one?
Without a priority pick, they will still improve, but more slowly. It comes down to whether recruiting one additional player at the top of this year's draft will make enough difference.
They have already received assistance: future picks in the second and third round of this year's draft that had to be traded for players. Fremantle currently hold both picks. It's quite weak assistance considering Gold Coast got more help in 2018 despite a better record over four years (three bottom-two finishes and 21.6% winning record). Gold Coast will reap the benefits of their assistance package this year when they get Academy access to three good players in the first round of the draft. These players with a new coach should see Gold Coast going close to the finals next year.
I expect North Melbourne will receive some more help this year. Their current picks: 2, 16, 39, 53, 59. They traded away their second-round pick (Adelaide has it) but they currently hold Port Adelaide's first-round pick.
So the question is, what help would North Melbourne get, if any? They seem to be pushing for additional first-round picks early in the draft (which would be pick 3). Their list manager was interviewed recently and said they had a clear "top four" for the draft. Perhaps they want a priority pick so they can pick two of these players rather than only one?
Without a priority pick, they will still improve, but more slowly. It comes down to whether recruiting one additional player at the top of this year's draft will make enough difference.
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