The AFL has to do something about this year’s draft. They can’t let the farce with all these Academy and Father-Son players play out.I agree, but whatever happens in that meeting, it won't affect this year's draft in November, same as the points correction was delayed last year until after the draft. ( clubs plans blah blah blah)
In relation to 2026, Carlton F/S is touted as #1 pick atm, they lobbied hard for the delay in 2024 so they could get the twins cheaper, so I can see them doing that same again.
I will add that changes made to the drafting system have usually had a 2-year delay. I hope that ,as you suggest, it gets ripped off for 2026, but I can also see the AFL being gutless and relenting to "club planning" again.
I'm all for a total system rewrite, this dual economy has serious flaws
Possibly the AFL puts in place bridging rules in 2025 that transitions to an uncompromised first round in 2026.
Maybe something like only being allowed to match one bid in the first round, but the bid must be matched with a later pick in the first round.
Still not good enough, but much better than what is in place.
The AFL put in place transitional rules to tighten the NGA Academies.




