AFL To Adjust Rules For Rookie-Listed Players

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There will be a change to the rookie list next season, with category A rookies to be available for selection from round one.

The AFL will reportedly allow category A listed rookies to be available for senior selection much like players on the senior list, Triple M's Jay Clark wrote in the Herald Sun.

Previously, category A rookies could only play when elevated to the senior list, either via a senior-listed player being placed on the long-term injury list or as a nominated rookie.

However, there will be no change to the standard two-year contract a player earns when picked up in the national draft.

Clubs have pushed to extend the length of draftee contracts.

Brisbane coach Chris Fagan, who is dealing with the prospect of possibly losing number two pick Josh Schache at the end of the year, hit out at the current draftee contracts.

"I particularly think for first-round draft picks, it should be three to four years at least before they can consider moving somewhere else, unless there’s some extenuating circumstances," he said on Friday.

"Clubs invest a lot in those first-round picks, and if you’ve got the opportunity to keep them for longer, guaranteed, from a club perspective, that would be fantastic.

"To be thinking about your future two years into a start at a new place and whether you want to go somewhere else is borderline ridiculous."