AFL mid-season trade period shelved, draft changes set to impact academy and father-son picks

AFL football boss Laura Kane chats the latest with the mid-season trade period and changes to the draft system that’s set to impact father-son and academy picks.

The prospect of trading players mid-season appears set to be shelved, as clubs brace for impending changes to the father-sons and academy drafting system to impact this season’s draft.

Players approved a mid-year trading period in the most recent collective bargaining agreement with the league, ticking it off to be introduced as early as this year.

But the clubs pushed back on the idea so severely, the AFL appears unlikely to consider it for next season as well.

Interstate clubs were particularly resistant to mid-year trading of players, under the suspicion that Victorian clubs would benefit most by being able to draw in players.

The clubs remain more open to mid-year trading of draft picks.

AFL Players Association president Patrick Dangerfield was a vocal supporter of the concept.

“We didn’t get much support for that (mid-year player trading) to be honest,” AFL football boss Laura Kane told SEN.

Mid-year player trading didn’t get much love from AFL clubs. Picture: David Crosling

“I think there was interest in trading of picks but not that much interest in trading of players is probably a fair summary of where the clubs were with that.”

As part of a monster review of competitive balance in football, Kane and her team have had a detailed look at player points leading into the draft, with many clubs believing the price for selecting a father-son or academy prospect was too low.

Currently for a father-son or designated academy player, clubs must match an opposition bid by reaching a threshold of points, designated for each draft pick.

A change to that process is still “a couple of months” away but Kane said there was still chance it could be introduced immediately and impact November’s draft.

That would leave clubs scrambling to get ready to draft their chosen prospects, with Carlton most notably under the pump as they eye of father-son twins Ben and Liam Camporeale looming as potential draftees.

“The clubs have been on notice, we have been talking about this for 12 months,” Kane said.

The AFL has made clear it ticked off Melbourne’s treatment of injured superstar Christian Petracca last week, when the midfielder was sent back on field with a lacerated spleen, broken ribs and punctured lung.

Kane revealed an independent emergency physician was engaged to lend support to the Melbourne medical team once Petracca came from the field for a second time and the concern for his health escalated.

“Once the symptoms escalate, then the emergency physician is involved throughout that period,” she said.

Kane said the process was “okay” and the Melbourne medical assessment was “standard”.

“Christian is an extremely experienced player and extremely in touch with his own body, his performance – as are most of our players - so we are comfortable, as are Melbourne,” she said.

AFL CHIEF WEIGHS IN ON PETRACCA, BYE SCHEDULE, OPENING ROUND

AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon has backed Melbourne’s handling of the Christian Petracca rib injury but suggested MRI machines at AFL ground might be prohibitively expensive.

And Dillon has committed to the AFL reviewing the byes situation which saw Sydney and Brisbane handed two byes before clubs like Geelong and the Western Bulldogs had their mid-season reprieve.

Petracca is out for the season with a lacerated spleen as well as four broken ribs, with the Demons under heavy fire for allowing him to return to the field.

The Norm Smith Medallist said on Wednesday it was his call to return to the field but medical experts have wondered out loud if the Demons should have shown more care.

Melbourne AFL player Christian Petracca in hospital with his Niece. He suffered horrific injuries, including four broken ribs, a lacerated spleen, and a small punctured lung after a knee from Darcy Moore of the Pies. Picture: Instagram

Dillon said on Friday he had no issue with Petracca’s treatment.

“First of all I am really glad to hear he’s on the mend because it was a really serious injury,” he said.

“He got a heavy knock but our players are incredibly courageous. We have got the best medical care at our grounds. As soon as he knew and the doctors saw when he went back off that he wasn’t travelling well he was taken off and assessed again. He was taken to hospital but I am glad to hear he’s on the mend.

“I am not sure of the best cost-benefit of something like (MRI machines at the MCG).

“It is great to look at those things, we play a number of games at the MCG. I understand they are quite expensive, you would want to make sure they are getting used properly.”

Dillon revealed the AFL’s attendances are up 4-5 per cent as the league reviews its season structure for 2025.

It will include at least 15 Thursday night games, with Opening Round a certainty and some chance to include an MCG clash.

Opening Round will be back in 2025. Picture: Getty Images

Dillon said the AFL was assessing whether it could gain access to the SCG and Gabba again but made clear the league was also aware of complaints over the bye schedule.

“We are reviewing and getting ready for next year’s fixture at the moment,” he told 3AW.

“Opening round for us in terms of crowds (meant) all the games were sellouts, the ratings were really strong, the two teams in NSW and Queensland, their memberships are up double digit percentages.

“However we also need to get access to the SCG and the Gabba and then it’s making sure we review the football performance. We have been getting feedback about byes and we will look at that and try to make sure we can keep that balance.”

Originally published as AFL mid-season trade period shelved, draft changes set to impact academy and father-son picks