THE AFL has confirmed clubs will be allowed to trade future draft picks during the 2015 exchange period after meeting with club CEOs.
Some clubs had argued that future trading should be introduced at the same time as the new Academy and father-son bidding system, because that system created chances for northern-based clubs with academies to effectively trade into the future.
Last month, Essendon argued its deal involving Paddy Ryder and Port Adelaide during last year's trade period would have been resolved earlier if future draft pick trading was allowed, and many clubs wanted the system freed-up.
Fantasy Focus: Trading strategy
The AFL was determined to find a simple system that also safeguarded clubs from 'selling the farm' by trading too far into the future.
On Thursday, AFL general manager of clubs and operations Travis Auld confirmed the trading of future draft picks would be introduced, with the detail expected later on Thursday.
Meanwhile, clubs have thrown their support behind the idea of establishing club-aligned indigenous and multicultural academies around Australia.
Clubs were briefed on the concept at the CEOs meeting in Werribee that concluded on Thursday and approved further work being done on the detail.
Auld, said the proposal was met with "a lot of support and excitement by the clubs".
Under the proposal clubs would have access to certain zones across the country in which to develop indigenous and multicultural prospects.
"Anytime we can find opportunities to identify and develop talent and use our clubs and the power of our clubs to do so, then we need to have a good look at that," Auld said.
Auld also said the controversial Sydney Swans trading ban would remain in place.
He claimed the League's relationship with the Swans was very strong and said the accusations made about AFL Chairman Mike Fitzpatrick by former Swans chairman Richard Colless in News Ltd publications on Wednesday were not mentioned at the CEOs meeting.
Auld said the discussion on the state of the game was robust, with AFL football operations boss Mark Evans briefing clubs on the game's trends.
He said the game's finances remained a key issue for clubs and equalisation was also an ongoing discussion.
Club CEOs also heard from prominent social commentator Waleed Aly on the subject of diversity, with Auld saying the speaker had given great insight on the the changing face of Australia and the changing face of football and how those two things can come together.
"I certainly think he left some thoughts with our CEOs that will certainly keep them wondering for a while," Auld said.
