Influential player manager and ESP boss Craig Kelly has raised the prospect of draft hopefuls waiting an extra year before they are eligible to be selected by a club to enhance their football development.
"Personally, and I think a lot of clubs are the same, [I believe] kids should not be getting drafted until they're 19. I think the under-18s is too soon," Kelly told AFL.com.au.
"They've got schooling, they don't have their license, the maturing process for some has happened and for others is still happening.
"I think having a kid come out of finishing his school year and then having another year in the TAC Cup system [would be beneficial], where they can spend more time developing themselves to an elite level.
"They can still do university, but it's almost full-time footy, and they can build bigger bodies and then come into an AFL club [more ready.]"
Kelly said the game's increasing speed needed to be taken into account, as well as a tighter link between TAC Cup and VFL clubs in Victoria.
"You just look at the body shapes and how quick and hard the game is. I really think we need to change it to 19-year-olds, and I think we really need to look hard at how we manage those kids coming in and out of that stage of their lives," he said.
North Melbourne coach Brad Scott has previously suggested players should spend a year at an elite training academy and wait until they turn 19 before being drafted.
The move isn't on the AFL's agenda right now, but the League will monitor the draft landscape and is aware it could be a possibility in the future.
There is precedence in changing the draft eligibility age, most recently when it dropped back to December 31.
This came before list concessions for the Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney altered the draft dynamic for several years, but was designed so a club can pick any player who has their 18th birthday in their draft year.
Measures have also been put in place for players who don’t get drafted in their 18th year to push for opportunities the next season.
The TAC Cup has allowed 19-year-olds to join the under-18 competition, state leagues have established academies, and all states are allowed a select number of 19-year-old representatives at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.
Further, 17 of last year's AIS-AFL Academy group (including Gold Coast's Jaeger O'Meara) have already made their debut in the opening six rounds of the season.
It is seen as an indication the system is preparing players better, and those who are ready to go could be stymied by another year developing at minor-league level.
Follow AFL website reporter Callum Twomey on Twitter at @AFL_CalTwomey.
