AFL father-son, academy draft bidding: What price will Carlton pay for Ben and Lucas Camporeale?
Carlton is poised to secure two first-round prospects as father-sons this year. But if the AFL pushes through a planned draft overhaul, they could come at a huge cost.
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Carlton and Gold Coast are desperately hoping the AFL retains its current father-son and academy bidding system as players linked to their clubs rise up the draft chart.
Gold Coast academy player Leo Lombard now looks a very likely top-10 pick after two exceptional games for the Allies in the national championships, winning 27 and 32 possessions. And Carlton’s father-son pair Ben and Lucas Camporeale could be late first-round picks after impressive starts to their seasons.
AFL head of football Laura Kane told this masthead recently the league had not ruled out making changes this year as part of the competitive balance review, which would see clubs pay a fairer price for players.
One proposal would see clubs forced to retain their first-round picks and hand them over in exchange for matching bids for their players.
Gold Coast has three first-rounders but could trade them out for established players in the earlier October trade period then accumulate a collection of late picks to match a bid for Lombard.
If the system changes to ensure clubs pay a fairer price Carlton might have to trade in another early pick to secure both Camporeales.
The Blues believed the AFL would come back to clubs to consult with them further if it was to consider a change to the system.
It means clubs including Brisbane, likely to secure father-son Levi Ashcroft and academy player Sam Marshall in the top 20 picks, will wait nervously to see if they have to stump up more picks.
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Originally published as AFL father-son, academy draft bidding: What price will Carlton pay for Ben and Lucas Camporeale?
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