The AFL has said it will consider changes to the number of draft selections used on a bid, the points required to match a bid and allowable deficit in a major upheaval of the draft bidding system.
An outcry amongst the competition has hit fever pitch following Brisbane and Gold Coast's most recent haul, snaring five academy prospects combined in the first round of last year's draft.
The Lions are the reigning premiers while the Suns reached the semi finals.
Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs have benefitted from the current system, landing generational father-son guns without so much as a flinch.
The Pies had the Daicos' (Nick and Josh), Darcy Moore and Isaac Quaynor (NGA) in their 2023 flag side.
The changes are set to be in full effect by the 2026 AFL Draft.
In the league's 2025 Annual Report, the following was revealed:
"As part of its key work looking at competitive balance, the AFL Commission committed to approving changes to the bidding system for the 2026 AFL National Draft.
"After a full review of the 2025 Draft, changes will consider:
- A cap on the number of draft selections that can be used to match a bid;
- The DVI points value required to match a bid (including the removal of discounts or application of loading); and
- The allowable DVI deficit.
The changes will mean Carlton and Port Adelaide will pay more than ever before to secure Pick 1 fancies Cody Walker and Dougie Cochrane.
The pair of clubs have yet to benefit like some rivals from its father-son or academy programs, and will be feeling shorthanded.
The Blues hold a suite of first-round picks from the Charlie Curnow deal to ensure Walker follows in his father's footsteps.
However, the Power only have an extra second and third rounder, and will need to work on gaining a top-line pick to secure Cochrane.
AFL COO Tom Harley revealed that these changes could be announced within the next few weeks.
"It'll be really imminent," Harley said on SEN on Thursday.
"Without going into the details of the conversations, it was a good discussion. Greg Swann certainly takes carriage of the competitive balance component, of which the bidding rules are a key part of that.
"Trying to thread a pretty fine line with regards to the growth of the game, the historic and romance, if you like, through father-son and clearly competitive balance.
"Ultimately, it's trying to land that, and progress has been really solid. The club engagement has been really strong, and I suspect that there will be an announcement within the coming weeks."
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VFL. AFL in name only.
Every kid that gets drafted in the Northern States is a kid who would not even be available if not for the four northern clubs.
if one gets 3 kidsd in a draft but another 3 are picked up by the vic clubs then the vic clubs still benefit…. so what’s the problem?
EAsy…an advantage (at the moment) does not lie (pun intended) with the select few vfl clubs. “only they may have an advantage”….