THE AFL could be forced to overhaul its free agency rules if Adelaide matches Geelong’s bid for Patrick Dangerfield, forcing him into the national draft at season’s end.

Sources on Saturday said the Dangerfield situation was a ticking bomb that could trigger a player revolt at Adelaide if the club acted against their former co-captain’s personal wishes.

The champion onballer is considering a move home to Geelong to be closer to family in Moggs Creek.

The Herald Sun revealed on Wednesday Adelaide is building a “Danger Money” fund to match the Cats’ offer, forcing Geelong to the trade table in an effort to obtain a better trade package in return.

But the Crows’ high-risk trade ploy could yet backfire spectacularly if the two clubs were unable to strike a deal, forcing the 25-year-old into the draft.

The move could also lead to a less restrictive form of free agency, whereby clubs have no power to match bids, following a review by the AFL Players’ Association.

An industry figure on Saturday said an “undesirable” move by Adelaide to match Geelong’s bid could spark a series of “poor outcomes” that could “blow-up” free agency.

Free agency was created in 2012 to allow players to move to their club of choice after eight seasons.

The Cats remain intent on landing Dangerfield for nothing, under the same free agency rules that saw Hawthorn secure James Frawley, Essendon poach Brendon Goddard and Sydney nab Lance Franklin.

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Industry sources on Saturday said Dangerfield, a two-time All-Australian, was worth two first-round draft picks on the open market, a price Geelong would be unlikely to pay.

A trade period stand-off could force Dangerfield into the national draft, putting the player at risk of being taken by another club higher than Geelong in the draft order.

The Herald Sun understands Dangerfield would not rule out the draft option.

Ex-Sanits onballer Luke Ball landed at Collingwood with pick No. 30 in 2009 after St Kilda and the Pies failed to reach a deal.

However, Dangerfield’s welfare would be a concern as it would leave the line breaking ball-carrier at risk of landing at an unwanted club, adding to the pressure and anxiety of his contract situation.

Danferfield said he understood Crows’ fans frustrations last week.

“It (football) more than just a hobby for me, this dictates where you live your life,” Dangerfield said on 5AA.

media_camera Scott Camporeale and Patrick Dangerfield having a disagreement on Thursday night.

Dangerfield is managed by powerful player agent Paul Connors, who handled Ball’s move to the Pies through the draft.

Connors also oversaw the shock trades of Paddy Ryder, from Essendon to Port Adelaide, and Dayne Beams shift from Collingwood to Brisbane last year.

Collingwood and Hawthorn both have the salary cap space and motivation to land a top-line midfielder but Dangerfield has narrowed his choice down to the Cats and Crows, according to Connors.

Adelaide would receive pick No.13 only (based on Saturday’s ladder) if he left as a free agent. Hawthorn received pick No.19 for Franklin. No club has matched a free agency bid.

While Dangerfield has not made a decision on his future yet, industry figures are convinced he is headed to Geelong after eight stellar seasons at Adelaide.

Dangerfield was surprisingly overlooked as captain by new coach Phil Walsh last pre-season.

He was left on the bench for five minutes during a crucial fourth-quarter period of the Crows loss to Hawthorn on Thursday night, where the former skipper had a terse conversation with assistant coach Scott Camporeale about lost stoppages.

Geelong Falcons regional manager Michael Turner, who encouraged Adelaide to draft Dangerfield with pick No. 10 in 2007, said the onballer should have returned to the field sooner.

“To have him off the ground for five minutes was too long,” Turner said.

“He was having an animated conversation with Scotty Camporeale and I don’t think the body language of either of them was that good.”