Carlton and Port Adelaide are reportedly facing a record outlay of draft capital to secure top father-son and academy prospects this year, as the AFL moves to refine measures aimed at ensuring more highly-rated players become available to clubs languishing at the bottom of the ladder.
Following a recent AFL Commission meeting, the framework for the revised draft-value index (DVI) is set to be adjusted. Under the proposed system, the number of draft points a club must surrender to match a bid on a prospect will likely be weighted according to their final ladder position. This means clubs finishing higher up the ladder will face a steeper climb to acquire these sought-after players.
Draft Reforms and Their Impact
The AFL’s intention behind these proposed changes is to safeguard the integrity of the draft. Historically, the draft has been designed to provide a pathway for the most talented young players to join clubs at the lower end of the competition, thereby promoting greater on-field parity. However, recent trends have seen a shift, with clubs that have performed well still managing to secure top-tier draft selections.
Under the refined system, clubs will reportedly be limited to using just two draft picks to accumulate the necessary points to match a bid. While there’s a provision for clubs to go into draft deficit, the overarching aim is to make it significantly more challenging for teams finishing high on the ladder to secure players attracting bids early in the draft, unless they are prepared to trade out existing talent. This move is designed to reduce the likelihood of a club achieving premiership success while simultaneously securing a top-six draft selection in the following year.
The Brisbane Lions, for instance, have successfully navigated this landscape in the past two seasons. They welcomed father-son prospect Levi Ashcroft and academy product Daniel Annable to their list after matching bids at selections five and six respectively. Had the proposed weighting been in effect in 2025, it’s estimated that the Lions might have faced an additional 25% in points to secure Annable, potentially forcing them to trade out a valuable player to acquire the necessary draft capital.
AFL Chief Executive Andrew Dillon has confirmed the core principle driving these reforms: ensuring that top 10 draft selections remain accessible to teams finishing in the bottom 10 of the ladder. Last year, a notable three of the top six players available in the draft pool were secured by clubs that ultimately played in the finals.
“Our focus is on ensuring that when access is provided outside the normal operation of the draft, a fair price is paid,” Dillon stated.
However, some club officials, speaking anonymously due to their roles in recruiting, expressed concern that the changes might be too late, with significant talent already having been secured by clubs like the Lions and Gold Coast Suns before these reforms were implemented.
Immediate Implications for Clubs
The new rules are expected to be implemented this season, meaning Carlton will likely have to pay a premium for Cody Walker, the son of former Blues great Andrew. Similarly, Port Adelaide will face a substantial cost to secure Doug Cochrane, who is eligible for their Next Generation Academy. Essendon may also find themselves needing to make a significant draft investment to secure Koby Bewick should he continue his strong development trajectory leading up to the 2027 draft.
Despite the disappointment that the rules are not being “grandfathered” in (meaning they would apply to future drafts, not current ones), Carlton has proactively prepared for such scenarios. They recently acquired Sydney’s first-round picks for the next two seasons, along with a couple of players, in a trade involving star forward Charlie Curnow. This strategic move positions them well to secure early draft selections should a bid be placed on Walker within the top three picks.
Port Adelaide, meanwhile, possesses an additional second-round pick in 2026, in addition to their own first- and second-round selections. They have previously indicated a lack of activity in the 2025 national draft or trade period, with the intention of accumulating points to match expected bids on emerging talent. However, the new weighting system may necessitate them seeking earlier selections to match an early bid for Cochrane. This could make a trade for free agent Zak Butters particularly critical if the star midfielder decides to explore his options.
One club official described the proposed changes as almost daring teams to forgo the opportunity to recruit top-tier players available through academies or the father-son rule.
Regional Academies and Future Growth
Clubs based in Queensland and New South Wales have long argued that their academy programs have been instrumental in fostering broader interest in Australian rules football. They contend that many players who have come through these academies might otherwise have pursued different sports.
Brisbane Lions President Andrew Wellington has also voiced his perspective, emphasising that the momentum generated in growing the game in non-traditional states should be further encouraged, rather than curtailed by policies that restrict academy access. He has downplayed suggestions of a Lions dynasty, noting their ladder positions of third and fifth before their recent premiership successes.
Carlton’s recent loss to Sydney highlights the impact of academy graduates. Sydney’s captain Callum Mills and vice-captain Isaac Heeney are both academy products, as are star players Errol Gulden and Nick Blakey. In the same match, Carlton fielded Harry Dean, playing his first game under the father-son rule, and three players who had previously been at the Swans: George Hewett (who joined Carlton as a free agent), Will Hayward, and Ollie Florent.
The Gold Coast Suns delivered a dominant performance against Geelong, with several academy graduates featuring prominently. Coach Damien Hardwick has acknowledged the selection challenges that will arise throughout the season due to the depth of talent within the list.
However, Greater Western Sydney (GWS) Giants CEO Dave Matthews has argued for a differentiated approach for their academy. He believes their academy program has not been as prolific as those in other northern-based clubs and that the AFL needs to be strategic in its investment in the region to boost participation and support in an area traditionally dominated by rugby league. GWS Chairman Tim Reed presented to the commission, advocating for this tailored approach to growth.
Key Takeaways from the AFL’s Draft Reforms:
- Draft Integrity: The AFL aims to ensure that top draft selections remain predominantly available to clubs finishing lower on the ladder.
- Weighted Bidding System: Clubs matching bids on draftees will likely face a higher point cost, with the loading influenced by their final ladder position.
- Limited Picks for Matching: Clubs will be restricted to using only two draft picks to match a bid. This means higher-ranked teams may need to trade existing talent to amass sufficient points.
- Carlton’s Strategic Preparation: Carlton’s acquisition of Sydney’s future first-round picks and players in exchange for Charlie Curnow is seen as preparation for the potential high cost of securing father-son prospect Cody Walker.
- Hypothetical Scenario: If the proposed weighting had been in place in 2025, Brisbane’s academy prospect Daniel Annable, who was bid at pick six, might have cost an additional 25% in points, significantly impacting the Lions’ ability to match the bid without further trades.
