New AFL Draft Rules Make It Costlier for Blues, Power to Get Talent

The AFL has changed draft rules, meaning clubs must use more picks to get father-son and academy players. This is a big change from before.
By Newsroom | AFL, Australian Rules Football |

Carlton and Port Adelaide face steeper draft penalties for securing father-son and academy prospects, following a recent AFL ruling. The league has restricted clubs to using only two draft picks to match bids for such players, up to and including selection 36. This change significantly increases the cost for clubs aiming to acquire elite local talent, impacting teams like Carlton, who are eyeing father-son prospect Cody Walker, and Port Adelaide, interested in academy graduate Dougie Cochrane. Under the new framework, Carlton, depending on their final ladder position, might need to deploy their third and 27th selections, or even earlier picks, to secure Walker should a bid arise before their own turn in the draft.

‘Never a good time’: Blues, Power lose battle over AFL draft shake-up - 1

The AFL Players’ Association has successfully resisted a push from the AFL to exempt the top 10 draft selections from being used as compensation for losing free agents. This means clubs that lose valuable players to free agency could see their early draft positions diminished by compensation picks, a scenario that has been a point of contention in recent drafts where earlier selections were frequently used to match bids on priority access players.

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‘Never a good time’: Blues, Power lose battle over AFL draft shake-up - 2

Recent news indicates a flurry of activity and potential shifts in club strategies. Carlton, in particular, has been involved in draft pick maneuvering, notably a swap with Hawthorn shortly before the 2024 trade period concluded, signaling a proactive approach to managing their draft capital. This swap, alongside other deals involving clubs like Brisbane and Richmond, suggests a league-wide re-evaluation of draft strategy.

While the focus remains on draft reforms, other club news paints a varied picture. Carlton has also seen updates on player injuries and rehabilitation efforts, with players like Nic Newman combining playing duties with coaching assistance while recovering. This ongoing narrative of player management and development occurs against the backdrop of these significant draft rule changes. A separate report from mid-2025 also touched upon Carlton's struggles and potential "draft disasters," suggesting a complex period for the club's list management. The wider AFL landscape has also seen major trades, such as Jack Darling joining North Melbourne and Alex Neal-Bullen moving to Adelaide.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do new AFL draft rules affect Carlton and Port Adelaide?
Carlton and Port Adelaide will have to use more draft picks to get father-son and academy players. The AFL now limits clubs to using only two picks for these players, up to selection 36.
Q: Why are father-son and academy picks costing more?
The AFL wants to make it harder and more expensive for clubs to get local talent through these special programs. This means teams might need to give up earlier draft picks.
Q: What does this mean for clubs like Carlton trying to get Cody Walker?
Carlton might need to use their third and 27th draft picks, or even earlier ones, to secure Cody Walker if another team bids for him before Carlton's turn.
Q: Will free agency compensation picks be affected by the new rules?
Yes, the AFL Players’ Association stopped a plan to exempt top 10 draft picks from being used as compensation for losing free agents. This means clubs could lose valuable early picks.
Q: How are clubs like Carlton preparing for these changes?
Carlton has already made draft pick trades, like with Hawthorn, showing they are thinking about how to manage their draft picks better under the new rules.