AFL looking at overhaul of the draft points system, revamp to pick trading

The AFL is considering a big shift to how draft picks are traded to help frustrated clubs unlock trade period stalemates. Plus, what changes are coming to father-son and academy bidding.

AFL clubs will be forced to pay a higher price for star academy and father-son players as part of an overhaul of the draft points system.

And the league is open to pick purchasing where clubs can effectively buy draft picks with salary cap space and trading more than one year in advance.

The league told all 18 clubs in a meeting of football general managers on Tuesday a revamp of the draft points system was in the works as part of a discussion about the trade and draft system.

It means clubs such as Gold Coast would not get as much of a discount on brilliant first-round academy prospects taken in the first round of the draft after securing four homegrown guns last year including Jed Walter.

Jed Walter. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

But the northern-states clubs will strongly defend their ability to continue to develop and recruit local talents who could otherwise play other sports.

AFL football boss Laura Kane and operations assistant Josh Mahoney led the meeting and asked clubs to break off in small groups to have further talks on key topics.

Clubs want more flexibility to trade picks two years in advance, helping clubs have more capacity to make moves at trade period.

Clubs have been frustrated deals have stalled because of their inability to unlock picks more than one year ahead.

Free agency compensation and the controversial bands system was also discussed as clubs look for more clarity on the wages which trigger first-round compensation picks.

The AFL also provided an update on the ball-tracking technology which could help the AFL develop an enhanced goal review system.

A further update on the state league trial will be delivered in June.