PREMIERSHIP favourites Greater Western Sydney looks set to retain its much-talked about Riverina and Albury academies, with the AFL Commission to sign off on the contentious issue soon.

There had been speculation last year that the Giants could lose portions of the zone, including Albury and the Murray River reaches, but that looks increasingly unlikely now.

The Herald Sun revealed in November that a push from rival clubs to limit the Giants’ recruiting area was likely to fail and the Giants, who reached the preliminary final last year, have been arguing heavily for the retention of the zones in recent months.

RIVAL PRESSURE: AFL READY TO STRIP GIANTS ZONES

Round 18

BREEDING GROUND: GIANTS’ GENEROUS ZONES UNDER ATTACK

The AFL Commission could address the matter at its scheduled meeting next Thursday, as part of a plan to revamp the overall draft pick system involving academy players.

Key forward Jarrod Brander, from Wentworth, in southern New Wales, is tipped to be one of the contenders for the No.1 draft pick this year but his status is contentious with his family also owning a house in Mildura - outside the Giants’ zone.

Last year’s No.5 draft pick Will Setterfield was raised in Albury and was secured through the academy despite playing for Sandringham Dragons in the TAC Cup last year.