THE LATER start to the premiership season will see the NAB AFL Draft Combine also shifted back, as the League aims to ensure prospects miss as little school as possible.

The four-day combine will still be held in the week following this year's AFL Grand Final, but it is set to start on Thursday, October 8 and run through to Sunday, October 11.

In the past the combine has been held from Tuesday to Friday in the week following the premiership decider, at a time that has fallen in the September and October school holiday period.

However, due to the later start to this year's home and away season, Victorian school holidays will finish before this year's combine begins.

The League will hold the event from Thursday and over the weekend to minimise the time draft hopefuls are away from school, particularly as the combine falls approximately a month before year 12 exams start.

About 100 prospects are invited to the national draft combine, and more than 50 are also asked to test at the Victorian state combine, which is usually held over the weekend that follows the national intake.

It is likely the AFL will integrate the state combine testing into the days set for the national group.

The event will still be held at Etihad Stadium, where it has been conducted since shifting from the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra.

The combine is viewed by clubs as an important part of the talent calendar, with athletic and psychological testing and interviews the key parts of the week.

No date or location has been set for the draft, after the League's contract with the Queensland Government finished last year.