With the Lions privately conceding No.2 draft pick Josh Schache looks certain to leave the club after two seasons, Thomas said the current two-year rule was far too tough on clubs who "put everything on the line" in taking early draft choices.

"If you pick a young player going into the draft you back the club that picks you," said Thomas. "This is the system. It's not enough to say you're homesick. You go in knowing that's the deal."

Brisbane has granted the fatigued and out-of-form Schache a short leave of absence in his country Victoria home until after round 11.

Although the players union would push for shorter free agency terms if high draftees were forced to sign longer contracts, the issue is gaining currency around the clubs.

"I agree with Chris Fagan on this," said Thomas. "You start the process of investing and supporting and evaluating these young men and two years is not long enough to get the desired outcome or to establish a relationship.

"Clubs invest so much in the 18-year-olds they select. They put everything on the line and there needs to be more investment back the other way."

The AFL has ruled out granting Brisbane extra salary cap dollars to retain players but it is understood the northern clubs could push the competition to relax the academy bidding system allowing Brisbane, for example, to draft their first choice locally developed players at no cost.

That reform is expected to be raised next month when the working group on player movement next meet.

With the AFL having agreed to further relax the rules around free agency, next month's working group will debate a number of reforms around player movement bearing in mind the current retention crisis facing the two Queensland clubs.

Fagan said last weekend it was "borderline ridiculous" for a young player to be thinking about his future two years into the start of his career.

"Clubs invest a lot in these first-round picks," added the Lions coach. "If you've got the opportunity to keep them for longer ... that would be fantastic."

Fagan said that in terms of coaching, management and welfare the Lions had done everything in their power "to make this a good place for him to be".