With the AFL on the cusp of confirming the league's new Collective Bargaining Agreement, Matthew Lloyd is confident the new terms could drastically shake up the draft.
The new agreement, which sees pay increases for the both men's and women's competitions, could also increase the mandatory two-year contract for all first round draft picks to three years.
It's a jump Lloyd believes may persuade the West Coast Eagles to select Victorian Harley Reid on draft night.
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"The West Coast Eagles would have considered not taking Harley Reid if it was for two years, but if they make it the mandatory three years, they say 'ok well now we can have him for three years, that's a different story'," Lloyd said on Nine's Footy Classified on Wednesday night.
But leading AFL journalist Damien Barrett said the AFL Players Association still believes it is a "death sentence" to force a deal longer than the current two years on offer.
"That's been the AFL Players Association's stance on it, that two years is enough, and that it shouldn't be a death sentence for a young player to go there," Barrett said.
"Whether it comes in for this particular draft (2023), yet to be played out. The lawyers have got this document from both parties and they'll thrash it out."
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The CBA, which comes with confirmation of an eventual mid-season trade period, still needs to iron out some kinks before it is likely announced later in the week.
"The mid-season trade period, unlikely for next year at this stage. It might still be negotiated, but unlikely," Barrett said.
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"The increase on time spent at a club for a first round draft pick, still to be thrashed out legally."
As for the money factor of the agreement, the average AFL wage will be increased to between $405,000 and $600,000, a figure Lloyd says is a positive shock.
"I remember Greg Williams signed a deal (from Geelong to Sydney at the end of 1985), five years for $200,000 a year, I couldn't believe it. To see how far the game's gone, the average player will be (getting) $600,000. We've come a long way," Lloyd said.
The AFL has also committed to increasing AFLW pay to between $40,000 and $70,000 on average, as well as an increase to the season by at least one match.
By the end of the deal, which has been voted on by players, the AFLW season is planned to be 14 matches in the home and away season.
"It's now a done deal," Barrett said.
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