With the possibility of a 19th team entering the AFL, Eddie McGuire has proposed a round-robin competition held before the National Draft to increase the pool of AFL players.

Speaking on Channel 9's Footy Classified, McGuire explained a proposed two-month, round-robin competition held in October and November that would allow potential draftees to impress recruiters while allowing players outside the talent pathways system to strut their stuff.

According to McGuire, his proposal has AFL backing.

“I’ve been speaking to Andrew Dillon and to Brad Scott and it’s got support,” McGuire said.

With the pandemic reducing team lists and heavily compromising VFL and community football, McGuire believes the new competition would create competitive footballing opportunities for players unable to pursue those opportunities.

“What we need to do is have the talent pool bigger, I think it’s narrowed in. If you’re not in a development squad in the under 16s, you get left behind," he said.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 09: Patrick Naish of the Eagles celebrates a goal during the 2022 AFL Round 04 match between the Collingwood Magpies and the West Coast Eagles at Marvel Stadium on April 09, 2022 In Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

With COVID top-up lists implemented for this season - and already used in the case of West Coast - opportunities have cropped up for second-tier footballers to gain AFL experience. The existing Supplementary Selection Period (SSP) has allowed the likes of Patrick Naish, Nic Martin and Jarrod Lienert opportunities on an AFL list, with all named players now established within their new teams.

McGuire said that there is a pressing need for AFL-level talent with an expansion of the league likely.

“If we’re going to have Tasmania, we’ve to find 50 more players or 35 at the least," said McGuire.

"And if you bring in another team to make it 20, that’s 70 players.”