AFL recruiters may have to make selections in this year's NAB AFL Rookie Draft uncertain of what the rules surrounding rookies will be in 2017.
The AFL Players' Association would like all rookies to be eligible to play AFL from Round One in 2017.
However with Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations stretching beyond this year's NAB AFL Draft, clubs could be forced to pick rookies without being certain how the rookie list will operate in the immediate future.
Under the AFLPA proposal, the rookie list could be phased out in 2018 with all players on the list eligible to play.
One recruiter told AFL.com.au that knowing what future rules would be in relation to rookie lists was important when it came to making decisions at this year's rookie draft on Monday, November 28.
He said it could be the difference between taking a punt on an untried player or picking a player that was ready to go.
However other recruiters were less concerned whether full details were available ahead of their selection.
Recruiters are also keen to know what list sizes are likely if the rookie category is removed as it will be relevant to long-term list decisions.
Initial rookie contracts are for one season so any changes from 2018 would represent a major shift for list managers.
Under rules that applied in 2016, clubs were allowed to nominate one rookie before round one to play AFL games if their list size was less than 40 or be elevated if a senior player is placed on the long-term injury list.
Clubs can also nominate another rookie midway through the season.
Twenty-four of the 64 players added to rookie lists in the 2015 NAB Rookie Draft played in the AFL, with Sydney's Tom Papley playing in the 2016 Grand Final.
There were 39 rookies who played in the AFL in 2016, including Adelaide's Reilly O'Brien, with seven clubs using at least three rookies during the season.
Changes to the way lists operate have been on the agenda all season with the AFL keen to explore how a system might be devised to help clubs rebuild more quickly.
The AFLPA has also been keen to change the free agency eligibility rules so it takes fewer seasons for a player to become a free agent.
Clubs were forced to trade players despite not knowing what the salary cap would be next season, although the AFL told them to use a 10 per cent rise in Total Player Payments (and zero increase in Additional Service Agreements) as a working guide.
Retired Geelong star Jimmy Bartel, who is an AFLPA board member, told SEN on Thursday a deal may not be finalised until next year.
"Maybe over the summer, maybe even after Christmas, I think we might get a deal done," Bartel said.
