SO THE question now is how the Western Bulldogs make the best of a disastrous situation. The answer, it seems, is to finally land a key forward through the NAB AFL Draft and continue to invest in youth. 

The club has expressed its surprise and disappointment at the decision of captain Ryan Griffen to seek a trade to Greater Western Sydney. And the Dogs remain steadfast he will remain at Whitten Oval after a chaotic few days which has seen coach Brendan McCartney depart. 

But if they have a change of heart, forge on and do a deal, the Dogs will have a better chance at securing one of the best key forwards available through the draft – either Paddy McCartin or Peter Wright. 

The club holds pick No.6, and had already openly told the football world it wanted to move up the draft board, giving it a more likely shot at recruiting the strong-marking and aggressive McCartin. 

As news broke of Griffen's desired defection on Thursday, it was mooted that the Giants' pick No.4 would form part of a deal. As with every (possible) trade, there are draft implications. 

McCartin, Wright, Christian Petracca and Angus Brayshaw are considered the four options for the Saints' No.1 choice. If St Kilda keeps its pick, expect the club to agonise over its decision, and it is a tough one. 

Last year, it only made the call to pick Jack Billings at No.3 days before the draft, and didn't give the youngster any indication it would choose him. 

While the Saints have searched for a tall in the trade period, midfielders Petracca and Brayshaw have equal – if not better – credentials, given their consistent under-18 seasons. Brayshaw has had the least publicity as a possible first choice but is in the mix. 

Melbourne is comfortable taking its No.2 and No.3 picks to the draft, and with good reason. It will likely boost its midfield with either Brayshaw or Petracca, an area coach Paul Roos has acknowledged as a priority. 

McCartin plays in a similar fashion to Jesse Hogan – big and physical – but every club could do with two of them, and he will be in the minds of the Dees. 

If the Dogs relent on their stance to not "indulge" their 28-year-old skipper's trade request and end up securing pick No.4 in a deal, their chances of securing McCartin or Wright would improve.  

Beyond the handful of early picks, things start to open up. Another selection inside the top 10 would give the Dogs a chance to add more elite talent. Jayden Laverde, Paul Ahern, Sam Durdin, Caleb Marchbank, Lachie Weller, Sam Durdin and Liam Duggan are others who will be in the mix as top-10 selections. 

Injured tall defender Jake Lever is the floater – and could be taken very early. 

Jarrod Pickett and Weller have been linked to Gold Coast's pick No.8, while Collingwood has already committed to taking father-son Darcy Moore with its No.9 pick. The Crows are back at pick No.10, and a tall like Lever, SA local Durdin or versatile Hugh Goddard could be in the mix.  

At the moment, the Bulldogs hold pick No.6, which could still get them Wright if the cards fall a certain way. Second-round picks (No.26 and 27) give the club a strong hand come November. 

The club has drafted well in recent years, taking Jack Macrae and Jake Stringer as early selections in 2012, and Nathan Hrovat and Lachie Hunter a little later on. Add Marcus Bontempelli to that mix from last year and the club has nailed its big picks. 

More success on that front – and more picks – would offset the departure of their skipper and best player.