Cody Walker and Dougie Cochrane. Pictures: AFL Photos

CARLTON and Port Adelaide are currently well placed to match respective father-son and Academy bids on gun duo Cody Walker and Dougie Cochrane, although a rise up the ladder for either side in the second half of the season could still present bidding complications.

The Blues' first two selections in the indicative draft order (picks No.5 and 17) are valued at 2674 points, putting them in prime position to match a bid on Walker whether it is placed at pick No.1 (2700 points with a 10 percent discount), pick No.2 (2233) or at pick No.3 (1960).

DRAFT
Tigers talk tough about targeting father-son picks

The Power's first two picks to match a Cochrane bid (No.4 and 22) are worth 2648 points, with clubs now able to go into a deficit of 412 points following the significant and tougher father-son and Academy bidding changes introduced by the AFL earlier this year.

Under a scenario where Cochrane earned a bid at the No.1 pick, it would mean Port Adelaide would currently be 52 points short and would go into deficit in next year's draft. However, the Power are still likely to earn more early selections should free agent Zak Butters depart at season's end.

Carlton is suddenly back in the wildcard picture after four consecutive victories under interim coach Josh Fraser leading into the bye, placing the Blues into a potentially challenging spot to match a Walker bid if the wins continue to roll in through the second half of the season.

28:35

GETTABLE: Star 'good as gone', Logan Morris' manager on rival links, could Dons 'get nasty'?

Riley Beveridge and Cal Twomey bring you the latest trade and draft news and are joined by Vivid Sport player agent Tim Hazell

Under a hypothetical scenario, should Carlton finish 10th and earn a wildcard place, the Blues would lose the 10 percent discount on a Walker bid and would have their first selection at the draft push out to at least the No.9 pick.

The club also risks its second selection, attached to Sydney's finishing position following last year's Charlie Curnow trade, being pushed out due to a potentially earlier bid on Cochrane, as well as potential free agency compensation picks being added to the order for Butters, Zac Bailey, Ben King and Lachie Neale, among others.

DRAFT HUB Click here for the latest draft news

Both clubs have multiple second-round picks they could shuffle around to earn more draft points, though, with Carlton hoarding North Melbourne and Gold Coast's selections in the second round and Port Adelaide snatching Carlton's second rounder and retaining its own during last year's Trade Period.

Greater Western Sydney is set to face a similar challenge to match a bid for its own Academy prospect Ethan Matthews, with clubs of the belief the big-bodied midfielder has pushed himself into top five calculations after starring for the Allies over the weekend with 35 disposals, 11 clearances and nine score involvements.

The Giants' first two selections in the draft are currently due to fall at picks No.8 and 33 (worth 1825 points), putting them in a potentially difficult spot if they qualify for a position in the finals and lose a discount on Matthews.

The AFL confirmed the father-son and Academy bidding changes in April after a widespread competitive balance review, with the alterations headlined by clubs now only being able to match bids using their first two picks, and with the discount and loading numbers changing based on ladder position.

The changes will have the most significant impact on Carlton and Port Adelaide this season, with the Blues having rights to potential No.1 pick Walker under father-son rules and with the Power eligible to select fellow No.1 pick contender Cochrane via their Academy system.

2026 INDICATIVE DRAFT ORDER – AFTER ROUND 14

1.   Essendon
2.   Richmond
3.   West Coast
4.   Port Adelaide
5.   Carlton
6.   Collingwood
7.   North Melbourne
8.   Greater Western Sydney
9.   St Kilda
10.  Melbourne (via Gold Coast)
11.  Western Bulldogs
12.  Brisbane
13.  Adelaide
14.  Hawthorn
15.  Melbourne
16.  Geelong
17.  Carlton (via Sydney)
18.  Fremantle

19. Essendon
20. Richmond
21. West Coast
22. Port Adelaide
23. Port Adelaide (via Carlton
24. Collingwood
25. Carlton (via North Melbourne)
26. Hawthorn (via Greater Western Sydney)
27. Hawthorn (via St Kilda)
28. Carlton (via Gold Coast)
29. Western Bulldogs
30. Brisbane
31. Adelaide
32. Hawthorn
33. Greater Western Sydney (via Melbourne)
34. Geelong
35. Sydney
36. Fremantle

37. Adelaide (via Essendon)
38. Richmond
39. West Coast
40. Port Adelaide
41. Sydney (via Carlton)
42. Sydney (via Collingwood)
43. North Melbourne
44. Melbourne (via Greater Western Sydney)
45. St Kilda
46. Port Adelaide (via Gold Coast)
47. Western Bulldogs
48. Carlton (via Brisbane)
49. Adelaide
50. West Coast (via Hawthorn)
51. Brisbane (via Melbourne)
52. Geelong
53. Brisbane (via Sydney)
54. Fremantle

55. Essendon
56. Richmond
57. West Coast
58. Port Adelaide
59. Carlton
60. Collingwood
61. North Melbourne
62. Collingwood (via Greater Western Sydney)
63. St Kilda
64. Gold Coast
65. West Coast (via Western Bulldogs)
66. Brisbane
67. North Melbourne (via Adelaide)
68. Sydney (via Hawthorn)
69. Hawthorn (via Melbourne)
70. Geelong
71. Collingwood (via Sydney)
72. Fremantle