A PRIORITY pick for the embattled Demons? Western Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney is the latest coach to pour scorn on the idea.

McCartney has joined Lions coach Michael Voss who recently said the idea of Melbourne receiving the coveted pick was "disturbing".

 

The Demons have won just one game this season, sparking speculation the AFL could step in with the offer.

 

Voss slammed the idea on Tuesday, claiming the Demons were not the only football club that had hit hard times after enduring two to three years of compromised drafts.

 

He named the Western Bulldogs and Port Adelaide as other examples of clubs that, like the Lions, had found the going tough when the best young talent in the country was sent to the expansion clubs.

 

McCartney shared the view, admitting it had been a 'difficult journey' for those clubs.

 

"We thought Michael explained the situation really well," McCartney said on Wednesday.

 

"I don't think I could have said it any better myself. It has been a difficult journey at times. Not impossible, but a difficult journey the last 24 months.

 

"(There are) four teams that have been rebuilding a fair bit of their team, (and) we're one of those clubs, through two years where some outstanding young talent has gone to two clubs.

 

"That was the system. That is the system, and we're all coherent to that. It's pretty important that people understand that. He worded it really well."

McCartney said the Bulldogs had followed the situation closely and felt able to raise its concerns with the League.

 

"Our president, our CEO, as with all clubs, have constant dialogue with the AFL," McCartney said.

 

"At the moment I don't think I've seen it better, where the interaction between the AFL and clubs has been as healthy as this. I think it's reached a point where coaches can talk to the AFL, players, the AFLPA can talk, CEO's, it's a very good way to do it.

 

"That doesn't mean you always get what you want, but it's a good way to do it."

 

The Bulldogs appear likely to take on Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday night without Brett Goodes, who is nursing a wrist injury.

 

Tory Dickson is a likely inclusion after kicking four goals in the VFL on the weekend, while Mitch Wallis is back in the mix.