Report: AFL planning major change to draft rules

The AFL is set to make changes to the Next Generation Academy system, which will have major draft ramifications.

AFL Media’s Callum Twomey is reporting that the AFL will make the first round of the draft, and potentially the second round, ‘protected’ from matching bids.

For example, Carlton bid on Fremantle NGA prospect Liam Henry at pick nine in the 2019 National Draft, a bid the Dockers were able to match using the draft points system.

Under the reported new proposal, Fremantle would not be able to match Carlton’s bid for Henry as the AFL looks to make the draft less compromised.

The change is not expected to take place before the 2020 National Draft, which features a plethora of Academy selections and is likely part of the reason for the shift.

The Bulldogs have first rights to prospective number one draft pick Jamarra Ugle-Hagan under NGA rules this year.

The report goes on to suggest that the AFL will take control of the Next Generation Academies with assistance from clubs after five years of the program being run by the clubs.

Clubs were incentivised to be a part of these multicultural and indigenous programs as they had priority access to the talented youngsters in the draft.

The report suggests there isn’t a timeline on when the change will be made just yet.