AFL Overhauls Draft Rules for Father-Son and Academy Prospects

New rules, effective April 29, 2026, introduce strict limits on matching bids, points loadings for top teams, and a compensation mechanism.

The Australian Football League (AFL) has introduced new rules for the national draft, governing how clubs can match bids for father-son and academy prospects. The changes, which follow consultations between the league and clubs, include limits on the number of picks used to match a bid, points loadings for top-four teams, and a new compensation mechanism.

Key Rule Changes

Matching Bids

Clubs may now use a maximum of two picks to match a bid for a priority access player (father-son or academy), up to and including pick 36. Previously, clubs could use multiple late picks to match early bids.

Points Deferral
If two picks are insufficient to cover the points value of a matched bid, clubs may enter a deficit of up to 412 draft value index points, which would be deducted from their future draft allocation.

Points Loading and Discounts

• Teams finishing 1st and 2nd on the ladder in the preceding season will have a 20% points loading added to their bids.
• Teams finishing 3rd and 4th will have a 10% points loading.
• Teams finishing 5th to 10th will have no loading or discount.
• Teams finishing 11th to 18th will retain a 10% discount on bids for picks one to 36.

Draft Pick Restrictions
Clubs will no longer be able to open more list spots than they have available once the draft begins, closing a previous loophole.

Compensation Picks
Clubs that have a top-five pick pushed back due to a matched bid inside the top five will receive a compensation pick following their selection at the start of the second round. This compensation will not be awarded if a club has traded out its top-five pick.

Reactions and Context

Consultation
AFL head of football performance Greg Swann stated that the possibility of changes was raised at a CEOs meeting in July 2025. He noted that clubs were not aware of specific details until a later date and that the league concluded there was no ideal time to implement the changes.

Club Positions

• Carlton and Port Adelaide reportedly lobbied to delay the changes until at least 2027, citing the need for a transition period.
• Carlton president Rob Priestly described the decision as "discretionary and disadvantageous to certain clubs."
• Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge criticized the AFL for repeatedly changing rules.
• St. Kilda, which had been vocal about wanting change, expressed greater satisfaction with the new rules.

Impact on Prospects

The changes are expected to affect the cost for clubs to match bids on highly rated prospects.

Carlton is reportedly likely to need picks 3 and 27 to match a bid for father-son prospect Cody Walker, while Port Adelaide will face a higher cost for academy graduate Dougie Cochrane. Both players are considered potential top picks in the upcoming draft.

Background
The AFL Players' Association rejected a proposal to exempt the top 10 draft picks from free agency compensation, meaning current rules remain in place for that area.

Related Incident: Brisbane Lions Whiteboard Leak

In a separate development, Brisbane Lions CEO Sam Graham apologized to Essendon CEO Tim Roberts after a whiteboard containing assessments of Essendon players' strengths and weaknesses was leaked. The whiteboard, drawn by Brisbane players, included descriptions such as 'selfish' and 'low confidence', and referenced a personal detail about former Lion Jaxon Prior. The leak occurred when a parent photographed the whiteboard through a window at an Auskick clinic and posted the image on Facebook.

Commentary on Draft Prospect

Former Richmond player Jack Riewoldt suggested that Carlton father-son prospect Cody Walker could reconsider his decision to nominate for the draft as a Carlton father-son selection. Walker, a potential top pick, made a VFL debut with 26 disposals. He is also eligible for Richmond through their Next Generation Academy.