THE AFL will issue collector cards of the country's brightest young prospects ahead of the 2012 NAB AFL Draft.

The cards will be produced by the AFL's official provider, Select, and released for sale from October 1 in the lead up to the NAB AFL Combine.

The AFL will make 78 cards, which will include "signature sets" for the 30 players of the AIS/AFL level two program, and the 22 who earn All Australian selection.

Others will be selected by the All Australian panel after the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships, chosen "on the basis of performance, but not exclusively", according to national talent manager Kevin Sheehan.

There will also be cards featuring standout bottom-age players eligible to be drafted in 2013.

The AFL has decided to issue authorised cards after rogue producers have created unofficial versions in the past.

"We have a really strong card program within our licensing program now," general manager of commercial operations Darren Birch told AFL.com.au.

"There was an independent person doing it anyway who was not connected to the AFL or the pathway programs we have.

"We see this as a natural extension to our existing card program.

"When we engage someone like Select … we know there's an ability for possible distribution and it can actually link to our other card series and sets."

Collingwood recruiting manager Derek Hine this week raised concern that the card concept put extra pressure on young men already facing the biggest year of their lives.

"I can understand where the League is coming from in terms of promoting the competition, the championships, the draft … they just have to be mindful of the welfare of the player," Hine said.

"There have been numerous cases where players have been touted as potential draftees and they've had a news crew sitting in their lounge room and they haven't been picked up.

"It's those types of instances we've got to be really mindful of."

Hine acknowledged the growing interest in the draft and draftees, which correlated to that of the NFL and college systems.

"There's a lot more in terms of the punters having a reasonable understanding of what's coming up," he said.

"Having said that, you've got to really try and strike a balance between the promotion of the code and drafts and potential drafts, and as a consequence of that, potential draftees, with the players' welfare.

"I think if that's done correctly, I can't see any issues with it."

Sheehan said the players would share in the revenue from the cards based on the AFLPA model, and the form they signed to play in the championships was an agreement for their image to be used for such concepts.

He said the cards wouldn't be a reflection of players certain to be drafted, but more an indication of those in contention.

Sheehan also said there was an expectation the players would be prepared for publicity of any kind.
 
"At this stage, you're a contender. They will need to learn to cope with that, and letting an AFL club make a decision on whether they choose you," Sheehan said.

"All of their local papers will have had them as contenders anyway. They would have had write ups just by being in their state under 18 team.

"Kids are used to it. At some stage in their sporting lives, whether it's in their community or their country town or even somewhere like Melbourne, their face will be in the media.

"They're better trained to be equipped with the life skills to know how to deal with that. You're going to be in the public eye playing the game.

"You can have non-selection right through your career. They're aware that publicity goes with the territory and it doesn't guarantee you may or may not be picked up."