Charlie Curnow's arrest just days before the NAB AFL Draft is unlikely to see him tumble down the order on Tuesday night, with Adelaide and Carlton both considering the versatile tall with early picks.
The Blues and Crows are both weighing up their interest in Curnow, who was arrested by police last Friday morning for allegedly refusing a preliminary breath test.
But in what may require another dash of strategy inside a complex top 10 this year, both clubs are also keen on tall forward Harry McKay, a 200cm prospect who excited at stages this season for Gippsland Power and Vic Country.
Carlton holds the key in the vital run of choices given its second pick (No.8) comes before the Crows' No.9, but the Blues then have another pick at No.11.
The succession of selections – Greater Western Sydney's No.10 choice will slide up on draft night to pay for academy prospect Jacob Hopper – adds further intrigue to the draft, one that has proved challenging to predict for clubs due to the multiple picks held by four clubs in the opening 13 selections.
If the Blues take McKay at pick eight, which they are tipped to do, it could leave the Crows making the choice between Curnow and local prospect Wayne Milera, or fellow South Australian Ryan Burton.
It's understood Curnow has made it clear to several non-Victorian clubs throughout the season that he would not like to move interstate.
Curnow could then make it through to the Blues' third choice at No.11, which would likely see them pounce on the younger brother of midfielder Ed.
At least a couple of clubs may ask to meet with Curnow on Tuesday afternoon in Adelaide before the draft to get his take on last week's incident.
The 18-year-old was arrested in Geelong around 3.30am before being released from the police station around 6am.
He later released a statement, saying he "behaved badly" and will "accept the consequences". However, it appears unlikely to see his draft range shift significantly – if at all.
The Crows have been long linked as fans of McKay, but have also shown interest in Milera and Burton, while half-forward Harley Balic is also considered a strong chance to be taken by the club.
That scenario could see Burton be available to Hawthorn at pick 15, with the Hawks one of several clubs to recently show more interest in the talented half-forward who didn't play this year through injury.
Melbourne is expected to bid on Sydney Swans academy player Callum Mills at pick No.3, but is believed to have scheduled interviews with Wayne Milera and Aaron Francis in recent days.
The Dees are set to meet Francis on Tuesday just hours before their first choice shapes the early proceedings of the AFL's revamped draft night.
Carlton is tipped to start the draft by choosing key defender Jacob Weitering with its No.1 choice, with the Brisbane Lions to then follow by picking goalkicker Josh Schache at No.2.
AFL.com.au published its Phantom Draft top 30 on Sunday. The Late Mail version has not been changed from the original order that was first predicted.
PHANTOM DRAFT TOP 30
Pick 1: Carlton – Jacob Weitering
Pick 2: Brisbane Lions – Josh Schache
Pick 3: Sydney Swans (matching Melbourne's bid) – Callum Mills
Pick 4: Melbourne – Clayton Oliver
Pick 5: Essendon – Aaron Francis
Pick 6: Essendon – Darcy Parish
Pick 7: Gold Coast – Callum Ah Chee
Pick 8: Melbourne – Sam Weideman
Pick 9: Greater Western Sydney (match Carlton's bid) – Jacob Hopper
Pick 10: Carlton – Harry McKay
Pick 11: Greater Western Sydney (match Adelaide's bid) – Matthew Kennedy
Pick 12: Brisbane Lions (match Adelaide's bid) – Eric Hipwood
Pick 13: Adelaide – Wayne Milera
Pick 14: Carlton – Charlie Curnow
Pick 15: Richmond – Daniel Rioli
Pick 16: Adelaide – Ryan Burton
Pick 17: St Kilda – Harley Balic
Pick 18: Hawthorn – Kieran Collins
Pick 19: Gold Coast – Jade Gresham
Pick 20: North Melbourne – Ben McKay
Pick 21: Brisbane Lions – Ben Keays
Pick 22: Hawthorn – Mitchell Hibberd
Pick 23: Carlton – Darcy Tucker
Pick 24: Western Bulldogs – Brayden Fiorini
Pick 25: Western Bulldogs – Riley Bonner
Pick 26: Fremantle – Tom Cole
Pick 27: West Coast – David Cuningham
Pick 28: Essendon – Rhys Mathieson
Pick 29: Essendon – Mason Redman
Pick 30: North Melbourne – Ryan Clarke
