A record number of players will be "re-rookied" at next Friday's rookie draft, raising concerns about the way clubs are now using the rookie list to add depth rather than expose new talent.

Under the current system, clubs delist players post-season but promise them positions on next year's rookie list. This frees up spots on a club's primary list, allowing them to select untried young talent in the national draft.

The process carries some risk for the club, which might lose the player to another club, but it also creates some uncertainty for the player who has to wait until the rookie draft, which is to be held hours after the draft is completed this year at 6pm on November 23, to be have his future secured.

At next Friday's rookie draft there are likely to be 16 players re-rookied to the same club that had them on their primary list in 2018.