CLUBS would be offered the same 25 per cent discount for father-son and academy prospects under the proposed new bidding system to be presented to the AFL Commission this month.
Under the bidding reform tabled by the AFL in January after months in the pipeline, each draft selection was allocated a points value on a sliding scale.
Late start for 2015 draft combine
Clubs nominating a player as a father-son or academy draftee would then be forced to use their existing draft selections to match the value of the pick used by the club bidding for the player.
The AFL suggested a discount of 25 per cent be given for academy graduates and 15 per cent for father-sons.
The discount to the total points required to match a bid was added to ensure clubs have an incentive to maintain the father-son tradition and invest in northern state academies.
But as AFL.com.au reported in February, clubs shared varied feedback on the discount that should apply for each category of players, with some recruiters believing they should be equal.
It is understood the recommendation to be put to the Commission is likely to have both discounts at 25 per cent, with a decision expected this month on whether the new system will be in place for the 2015 NAB AFL Draft.
There are unlikely to be many major tweaks to the original revamp proposal.
The Commission will also rule on including the new bidding system as a live element of draft night.
The live concept has gathered widespread support from clubs, who have previously complained about the father-son and academy bidding meeting being at the start of trade week in early October – sometimes nearly eight weeks before the national draft.
After being at the centre of the academy debate last season with star midfielder Isaac Heeney, the Sydney Swans will be the most impacted club this year if the new bidding system is introduced.
Callum Mills, who joined the Swans academy as a 13-year-old after playing rugby union, has been touted as one of the standout players in this year's draft pool. The 188cm midfielder is tough and competitive, and already showed great poise at NEAFL level last year.
The Swans also have first rights over Josh Dunkley, son of former defender Andrew. Dunkley has been rated a first-round prospect and will likely decide later in the year if he wishes to nominate as a father-son with the club.
Jacob Hopper (GWS), Eric Hipwood and Ben Keays (Brisbane Lions) are among the other academy players available this year, with Hopper showing his class with 27 disposals and four goals last week in the TAC Cup for the North Ballarat Rebels.
Bailey Rice (eligible to join St Kilda and Carlton), Jake Lovett (Melbourne), Jack Silvagni (Carlton), Tom Wallis (Essendon), Jordan Matera (West Coast) and Darcy MacPherson (Western Bulldogs) are some father-son candidates for respective clubs.
