I found the 'prioritisation' of this rule amusingAcademy, F/S, and draft bidding changes confirmed coming in next year. Future pick trading also won't come in until 2025. Changes to zones will also be in 2025
- Clubs having access from pick No.1 onwards for NGA prospects in a return to previous rules to align with northern Academy and the father-son bidding system. The AFL has prioritised this change, revealed by AFL.com.au last month, because it does not want to further see a decline in diverse and Indigenous talent.
Anyone getting picked up in the top 40 will be drafted in any case, so not sure as to why they believe bringing it in this year will assist diversification across the league.
Sounds like appeasement to the big VFL clubs