MELBOURNE coach Dean Bailey says his club has no intention of exchanging draft picks for senior players in this year's trade week.

Despite a raft of star players expected to be looking for new homes at season's end, Bailey said he had his eyes set on the long-term future.

"We’ll keep our picks," Bailey said. "We want to keep our first pick [and] we also have 17 and 19. We’ll be really keen to keep our picks."

Two casualties of Bailey's youth policy are former best and fairest winners Adem Yze and Jeff White, who will both leave the Demons after Sunday's match against Richmond.

Bailey said the pair had been fantastic leaders of the club and would give their all against the Tigers.

"It was tough for Jeff but, as I’ve said before, he is a professional and he’ll treat this game like every other game he’s played for Melbourne," he said.

"But this one will be pretty special seeing as it’s his last one. The same with Adem, they’re both very professional people and outstanding people.

"We’ll make further tough decisions on that with an eye on what’s best for the club."

With reports emerging on Thursday that the new Gold Coast team may have up to nine first round picks in the 2010 NAB AFL Draft, Bailey said it was vital that the existing clubs use their early picks wisely this year.

"We have a young list now and this year it is important that we draft well," he said.

"Every year you should draft well. You can’t pick and choose drafts and you’ve got to ensure you put all the work into it so you can produce and develop players.

"Until it’s in front of all of us we’re speculating a bit. They (the Gold Coast) are obviously going to get a good run at it so they’re successful."

Bailey added that there have been plenty of positive signs in what has been a dismal year for Melbourne.

"We’ve given game time to young players that I think will be invaluable in years to come.

"Our win-loss record is not good enough, but I think we’ve shown the direction we’re taking and the decisions we will make will be based around developing a young team for the future."