Among the sweeping changes to the AFL Draft system, the league will introduce a new Draft Value Index in 2025, forcing changes to the allocated points each selection has.
The league's powerbrokers weighed up bringing the new model forward but were met with strong resistance by the clubs who have operated under the current system and have planned accordingly to bring in exciting Academy and father-son prospects.
As a result, all 18 clubs will be operating amid the two systems, planning for next month's trade and subsequent draft period as well as the 2025 off-season, reportsย AFL Media's Cal Twomey.
The current model has points value from Picks 1 to 73, giving clubs the incentive to utilise later picks to gather enough capital to secure academy or father-son prospects.
Next year's model will strip Picks 55 to 74 of any draft value, condensing list managers' ability to hold selections with any meaningful significance regarding the acquisition of academy or father-son prospects.
As a result of the changes, nearly 10,000 points have been shaved off from year to year, while the coveted No.1 Pick remains at 3000 points.
The AFL brought in the new system as a way of ensuring clubs don't load up on mid-to-late selections in the draft to match bids on higher-end talent, forcing a fairer paid price.
Clubs will then need to navigate through both draft points systems to ensure they attain the player required or fear a rival snapping him up.
Gold Coast immediately comes to mind as the club prepares to match a bid in the first round of this year's draft for Leo Lombard.
It will be a watch to see what the Suns do, given academy player Zeke Uwland (brother of Bodhi) is also touted to be among the first picks of the 2025 draft.
