Carlton among clubs set to oppose proposed changes to AFL academy, father-son bidding system

Carlton is among the clubs preparing to oppose changes to the AFL’s father-son and academy bidding system as it prepares for the arrival of the Camporeale twins later this year.

MELBOURNE. 14/12/2022. AFL. Carlton training at Princes Park. Ben (left) and Lucas Camporeale, twin sons of Scott Camporeale during todays training session at Ikon Park. Picture by Michael Klein

Brisbane, Carlton and Gold Coast will lobby the AFL to retain its current bidding system for father-son and academy players as the league prepares to rule on changes to November’s national draft.

The AFL has told clubs it will summon them for a June 25 day of feedback on its competitive balance review, which will focus on three key areas — football performance, football operations and talent pathways.

South Australian clubs are desperate to escape the SANFL, while the Lions, Blues and Suns have access to elite kids in this November’s national draft.

The AFL has foreshadowed changes to the 2024 draft that could see clubs forced to pay more to match bids on elite first-round talents.

Clubs are hopeful they will have a decision from the AFL on the draft system within the month.

Carlton father-son prospects Ben and Lucas Camporeale. Picture: Cory Sutton

Gold Coast was last year able to use pick 4 to trade for a vast collection of later selections that helped it secure four early academy picks – Jed Walter, Ethan Read, Jake Rogers and Will Graham.

This year, the Lions have the possible No. 1 overall pick – Levi Ashcroft – as a father-son and another first-rounder in midfielder Sam Marshall as an NGA selection.

Gold Coast has likely top-15 midfielder Leo Lombard as an academy selection and next year’s likely No. 1 overall pick is Suns academy player Zeke Uwland, the brother of current Suns defender Bodhi.

The Lions have told the AFL they have done extensive planning on this year’s draft, including what they will need to match any bids. They believe it is too late in the AFL season to make drastic changes, with Carlton in the same boat given they have father-son selections Ben and Lucas Camporeale.

Levi Ashcroft is a potential No. 1 pick. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

One possibility is that clubs will need a live selection in the round they are matching a bid in to stop them trading out of early picks when they are likely to bid.

The AFL could also adjust the points system allocated to each pick, or even scrap the points value for late-draft picks to stop clubs stockpiling them for father-son or academy bids.

The clubs will be briefed by the AFL at the June 25 meeting about potential changes and asked their views on potential changes. Clubs will also be asked about their views on the sub rule and whether to add a fifth interchange member.

The Lions are in favour of a fifth bench member given players hate the sub rule and the difficulty in getting match practice into players who are picked as the sub.

Originally published as Carlton among clubs set to oppose proposed changes to AFL academy, father-son bidding system