GWS chief executive Dave Matthews, who continues to make a case for COLA, hopes the AFL will consider tweaking the length of first-round draftee contracts to help clubs north of the Barassi line.
Josh Kelly's two-year contract extension on Wednesday followed a challenging 2018 trade period for the Giants, who parted with Dylan Shiel, Tom Scully, Rory Lobb and Will Setterfield amid a salary-cap squeeze.
Matthews feels his club paid a price for the league's scrapping of the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA), noting on Wednesday that the same unexpected financial pressure has affected Sydney's list.
The AFL, responding to the Swans' recruitment of Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett, announced in 2014 it would remove COLA for both Sydney clubs.
Matthews declared there is a "continued case" for COLA, a view that AFL boss Gillon McLachlan is unlikely to share, but pushed for a different change that may garner more support.
Matthews suggested a three-year deal for first-round draftees, instead of the status quo that is a two-year contract, could make a big difference to retaining talent.
"What's also changed, which puts more pressure on (combined with no) COLA, is the competition's offering third-year players a lot bigger money," Matthews said.
"It may not be COLA that's a lever that's required, I'm still in favour of three-year contracts for first-round draft picks.
"That's the sort of thing that gives protection to clubs north of the Murray, when you've got a competition where most of the talent comes from the south."
GWS aren't alone in having superstars demand a trade during their initial two-year deal; Geelong's Tim Kelly is arguably the best current example.
But the problem is arguably amplified when rivals entice youngsters to return home from sides based in NSW and Queensland - states that produce a minority of players compared to Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.
Former No.1 draft pick Tom Boyd, who requested a trade to Western Bulldogs after just nine games at GWS, highlights the potency of the go-home factor fuelled by a cashed-up rival.
"Not many players want to leave because the opportunity here isn't a great one. Some end up leaving for salary cap reasons or because offers are bigger and better elsewhere," Matthews said.
Brisbane coach Chris Fagan, speaking before the club traded young gun Josh Schache to the Bulldogs in 2017, described two-year deals for first-round picks as "borderline ridiculous".
Former Gold Coast coach Rodney Eade has also called for longer draft contracts.
Meanwhile, Matthews suggested Saturday's SCG derby crowd was below expectations but showed "how difficult the Sydney market can be".
"It's different to Melbourne. Often clubs in NSW and Queensland get (wrongly) judged on the AFL culture in Melbourne," Matthews said.
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