Wouldn't surprise me to see the Dees take Rich. Surer bet, and then take some KPP's in the teens.
Last thing you want to do before the lockout is stuff the number 1. Rich might be seen as a safer bet.
Will be interesting to watch.
That's my feeling right now.
I agree its a grey area, but you have to look at what the teams need. Melbourne need forwards, and they need a marquee player. A #1 pick is going to attract attention regardless of their playing style/attributres. No matter who they draft they will get extra members just from having that player on their list. Why not kill two birds with one stone and draft a forward?
WCE, if they lose Kerr, will have a very, very shit midfield. Rich is an amazing midfielder - problem solved.
Melbourne need everything mate, they need midfielders and a ruckman just as much as a KF. Just a BB said, Rich is probably the safest pick and in the Dees situaton i don't think there in any situation to take any risks. Even though i believe Watts has the potential to be the best player in the draft, questions marks are starting to pop up about him and whether he can reach that level.
As for WCE, they will pick best available and from what i've been reading from a fair few quality WA posters, Naitanui is number 1 on the Eagles list. It's said all the time, you go best available with a first round pick, whether they might need a midfielder or not, if they believe Natanui is best available they will take him. Anyway, right now, for me, the Dees will take Rich so the Eagles wouldn't have that option.