Plans to introduce live trading on draft night have taken another step, with AFL chiefs to examine the recommendations put forward by the player advisory committee.
The committee met on Wednesday, with Fairfax Media being told that 2018 shaped as the time for change, although a template would have to be in place by this year's draft in order to help list managers prepare for next year.
The plan focuses on clubs being able to trade draftees and picks on the night – but not players already on the senior list.
This has been seen by some as a way of helping northern-based clubs who are not in traditional AFL markets, making it less "Melbourne-centric", as one official said on Friday.
For instance, a West Australian teenager may have indicated he does not want to leave his home state or, if forced to, would prefer to head to the AFL heartland of Melbourne. Under the live-trading option, the Brisbane Lions, who, for instance, had a higher pick than either West Coast or Fremantle and had coveted that player, could draft the player, and then offer him to either the Dockers or Eagles – but at a price. This could include a pick on the night, a draftee already taken or a future pick.
This has been seen as a way of also testing how much a club in that player's home state really coveted the young talent. It has also been seen as a way of clubs regaining some power over players, who are set to enjoy more freedom when the free-agency rules are relaxed.
At least in the initial phase, should the concept be approved, any trade would not include a senior player already on the list.
The AFL will also have to work out the logistics of how live trading would work on the night and how this would fit in with broadcasters. For instance, how long teams have to strike a deal remains a discussion point.
Live trading on talent on draft night is a staple of American sports. It is used regularly in the NBA and NFL. Los Angeles Lakers great Kobe Bryant was famously drafted by the Charlotte Hornets in 1996 and was traded to the Lakers on the night.
The new collective bargaining agreement between the players and the AFL is expected to be released within weeks. As reported by Fairfax Media, players who have shifted clubs as free agents are likely to retain that tag whenever they are out of contract, rather than having to start again and serve another eight years.
AFL chief Gillon McLachlan has said that shapes as the only change to free agency under a new CBA.
"Once somebody has moved under free agency, I think it's just logical they become a free agent and can move on three or four-year deals if, at 31, they want to move under free agency," he said.
"It's very rare that it'd be used but I think it's a logical change."