The AFL is planning a potential proposal on the "radical move" to give struggling clubs "sign-on bonuses" to help acquire free agents.
Since the introduction of free agency to the league ahead of the 2013 season, 49 players have switched clubs for multiple reasons, and there is set to be another crop next month.
The league's move to make it easier for the bottom four to six sides is due to the sheer number of stars vying for a spot on contenders' lists.
Oscar Allen is going from the wooden spooners (West Coast) to Brisbane (2024 premiers), and Sam Draper is going from Essendon to the Lions.
In the past, Gold Coast lost Tom Lynch to Richmond after the latter lost a preliminary final in 2018. James Frawley left the cellar-dwelling Melbourne outfit to join Hawthorn shortly after they secured their second consecutive flag.
Isaac Smith (Hawthorn to Geelong) and Joe Daniher (Essendon to Brisbane) have also done the same.
"The AFL is considering a radical move in bringing in sign-on bonuses for free agents who join the bottom four or bottom six clubs," AFL Media's Cal Twomey said.
"An encouragement for players to move to clubs that traditionally haven't been able to get restricted or unrestricted free agents.
"Essentially, it means clubs at the lower reach of the table could dip into extra salary cap space to spend on attracting free agents, pay them more to encourage them to move.
"There's concern that the best free agents don't go to the worst teams."
Twomey also spoke about the potential for father-son and academy draft changes, with it being reported that the AFL were considering a "lockout" within the top selections.
It is understood that a "lockout" may be dismissed, but a fairer price on high-end club-linked talent could be brought in.
"Clubs are getting a sense that the appetite for a draft lockout might have cooled," Twomey said.
"If it happens down the track, clubs will be given the buyer beware signs that whatever happens in this trade period, we've given you some warning that things might change for next year and beyond.
"The sense that the points value of the top picks could be jacked up, so that matching a bid inside the first (handful of picks would require more).
"Fairer value is being placed on it."
