Sullivan said the increased chances to showcase themselves in front of Victorian scouts will only be a positive for the Riverina's top teenagers.

Last year no Riverina-bred players were chosen in the AFL Draft, and Sullivan is confident the changes will help their cause.

"It's one of the premier second tier comps in the country. It's nothing but positive," he said.

"The exposure you get too going to Victoria where the scouts are based (is great), rather than just seeing video footage they can watch full games, and fingers crossed it leads to more clubs getting their eyes on our talent.

"They'll be playing against AFL listed players from Collingwood, Geelong, Hawthorn and so forth, which can only help their development.

"Our top kids get picked in the NAB League against the best 18 or 19-year-olds but the kids that don't get picked for that can still play senior footy in second grade."

As part of the restructure after the AFL announced around 20 per cent of their work force will lose their jobs, more responsibility will be placed on the Giants, Swans, Lions and Suns Academies to identify their own talent.

"AFL NSW/ACT has cut back their jobs and now they've handed that over to the clubs as their area," Sullivan said.

"It's not up to AFL NSW/ACT or the AFL to do that for you. I think we'll be liaising with the local clubs directly a bit more rather than the AFL doing it."

Sullivan also applauded the shift from under-16 and under-18 programs to under-17 and under-19, which he believes will ease the pressure on the players.

It will also give Riverina players a chance to remain in the system for another 12 months after a year hampered by the coronavirus pandemic.

"I think it's a good thing the kids can look at just getting their high school done, and when they're 19 really knuckle down with football if that's what they want to do," he said.

"In their 18^th year there's a fair bit of pressure on the players with doing high school or finding work. Having footy on top of that is a pretty big task, especially the level we're expecting them to train and travel.

"I think it is a positive kids can finish school and give it their best shot while still training, but it's not the be all and end all football-wise in their 18th year.

"As a 19 year old they can give it their all with a more developed body and greater understanding of the game."

Sullivan said he hoped the Canberra Demons, one of five stand-alone NEAFL clubs whose future in now uncertain, will find a way to continue given they traditionally field a handful of Riverina players.

The city is a big catchment area for the Giants, who play three games a year in the nation's capital.

"It's unfortunate for those kids here who want to go to Canberra and play that type of footy (if they don't continue), but time will tell I suppose," he said.

"Because ACT is in their zone, the Giants second grade might be able to recruit say five over-aged players for example, I'm not sure. Those specifics will come out later down the track."

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