Essendumb are supposedly going to be a much stronger team when the banned players return. If they qualify for a number one draft pick as a result of this season of punishment, but then go on to, say, qualify for finals in 2017, wouldn't that be grossly unfair to those teams like Brisbane, who are genuine basket cases and really struggling to improve?
Cheating shouldn't be rewarded, and their punishment doesn't properly end until after this season.
A fairer result at the end of this season would be that Essendumb don't receive a first round draft pick, and don't get a selection until after all the other 17 clubs have chosen once. But if they finish bottom of the ladder again in 2017, even with their best players returning to the team, then, and only then, should they receive a top draft pick.