CLUBS will take part in a 'mock draft' later this month as they test the technology developed to introduce the father-son and academy bidding system as a live element of draft night.
Champion Data and the AFL have been working closely for months developing an application to simplify the complex points-based bidding system for clubs at November's NAB AFL Draft.
Officials were informed this week they will get their first look at the technology on October 12 at an information session run by the League on the first morning of trade week.
Then, on October 23, each club will send two representatives to Champion Data for a full simulation of the new bidding system, which has been altered this year to ensure market value is paid for each player.
The AFL's bidding 'calculator' will allow a club to quickly punch in what picks it holds, and what it will cost it to match a rival's bid for a father-son or academy player.
Under the new system, each pick is assigned a points value. So if a bid comes at pick five (worth 1878 points) for Sydney Swans academy midfielder Callum Mills, the Swans will then get the option to match the bid.
But after getting a 20 per cent discount because of their investment in their academy, the Swans will need to muster 1502 points to select Mills.
Their first pick is currently pick 14 (worth 1161 points), so attaining Mills by matching a pick five bid would also see their second draft selections shift to the back of the draft.
The Swans would also move up to pick 5, where Mills would be called out as a Swan.
The trial run will allow clubs to see how quickly they will be able to know the points implications of matching a bid, the mechanics of the new system and how it will work on draft night.
This year's draft is set to have a different look than recent years, with live bidding to extend the event.
Clubs are also expected to be sitting in a separate room to fans and the attending players at the Adelaide Convention Centre so they can privately consider matching and making bids, while other changes are also being considered.
Mills, Jacob Hopper and Matthew Kennedy (GWS), Eric Hipwood and Ben Keays (Brisbane Lions) are all academy prospects likely to attract first-round bids.
Bailey Rice (St Kilda/Carlton), Josh Dunkley (Sydney Swans), Jack Silvagni (Carlton) and Darcy MacPherson (Western Bulldogs) are among the possible father-son picks.