Carlton and Gold Coast have been denied priority picks at the pointy end of this year’s draft.

The two clubs, who finished in the bottom two positions on the ladder this year, had been hopeful of receiving extra early draft picks to help their respective rebuilds.

The AFL Commission has however knocked them back. The Blues and Suns will instead have special access to two state league players each, in the hope of landing a ready-made mature-age player like Tim Kelly, the West Australian who was a revelation in his first season at Geelong.

Werribee forward Josh Corbett looms as a likely recruit for the Suns under this scheme.

"As a club we’re appreciative of the assistance provided by the AFL and it is now incumbent to the club to facilitate list management outcomes in the best interests of the Carlton football club," Carlton chief executive Cain Liddle said.

Carlton, who finished with just two wins to claim their fifth wooden spoon since 2002, had earlier this year ruled out applying for a priority pick, publicly saying that they had got themselves into their position and they would work to get themselves out of it. The Blues later changed their tune however, softening their position on the matter.