If the club nominating the father-son player declines to match the selection nominated, the club with the successful bid must use that selection at the draft on that player.
Any club that makes a successful bid on a father-son selection is bound to use the pick they nominate.
If no bid is made by another club, the club that nominated the father-son eligible player will forfeit its last selection in the draft to select the player.
The eligibility of players under the father-son rules differs depending upon the home state of the team making the selection. The basic rule, as applied to Victorian clubs, is that each club can select any player whose father played a minimum of 100 senior games for the side.
Brisbane Lions and Sydney Swans can choose the sons of players who have appeared 100 times for either themselves or their predecessors, Fitzroy and the Brisbane Bears or the South Melbourne Football Club respectively.
West Australian and South Australian teams have modified rules in place, valid until the club has been in the AFL for 20 years, with eligibility to be determined by a certain number of games played for specific sides in state league:
Until October 31, 2007, West Coast can select any player whose father has made 150 WAFL appearances for Claremont, East Perth, West Perth or Subiaco.
Until October 31, 2010, Adelaide can select any player whose father played 200 SANFL appearances before 1990 for South Adelaide, Norwood, Glenelg or Sturt.
Until October 31, 2015, Fremantle may include any player whose father made 150 WAFL appearances for East Fremantle, South Fremantle, Perth or Swan Districts.
Until October 31, 2017, Port Adelaide may include any player whose father has made 200 SANFL appearances for Port Adelaide Magpies, North Adelaide, West Adelaide, Central District, Woodville or West Torrens
