incorrect. From 2006-2012 the rules were if you won 4 or less games (16.5 points) in a season you were given a start of second round pick. Then If you won 4 or less games (16.5 points) in consecutive seasons you were given a start of first round pick. Hence, if we were tanking it was 2009 that we screwed up. Because winning 4 of the last 5 cost us priority picks in 2009 and 2010. Not sure how that would have worked with GC in the draft.
This is how we got Darling in 2010.
Say we only finished with 4 wins but higher % than Melbourne in 2009. We would have had pick 1 & 3 as well as 18,19 and 23. We would have picked Bastinac, Fyfe and Weedon with the last 3 picks. And then in 2010 had picks 4,5 and 28. We would like have taken Gaff, Caddy and if still available Darling.
TBH in 2009 we probably would have taken Trengove and Morabito. Scully was seen as a bit of a flight risk and before injury Trengove was very much a west coast style pick. Martin was the standout talent but was seen as a loose cannon. He still is.