The AFL is in talks to extend draftee contracts to a mandatory three years to help clubs retain young talent.
AFL operations manager Mark Evans said the league has put the proposal to the AFL Players Association on behalf of clubs during collective bargaining agreement negotiations.
Clubs sign draftees to two-year deals, but an increasing number of young players walking out within a few season has caused concern.
"They (players) can get up and leave your club before you get a chance to maybe play them in a lot of games and show them they've got a place in the club," Evans told SEN radio.
"If they do get up and leave, it can leave a club that's been trying to harvest young players to have to go back to the draft and start all over again."
Western Bulldogs forward Tom Boyd (GWS) and St Kilda's Nathan Freeman (Collingwood) are among the high draft picks to leave after one season.
James Aish left Brisbane for the Magpies as soon as his mandatory two-year deal with the Lions was up, while Giants pair Caleb Marchbank and Jarrod Pickett are seeking trades to Carlton after two years.
Evans noted the AFLPA has expressed reservations around how a third-year player would be valued under the proposal, along with the fact rookies don't get a say about where they end up when drafted.
"The conversation hasn't gone very far at this point in time," Evans said.
