The AFL is pleased to announce that the upcoming AFLW Draft will allow players to nominate for a ‘national pool’ for the first time.
Players who nominate for the national pool elect to be considered by all 18 clubs in the NAB AFLW Competition.
A player has the choice to nominate for their home state’s draft pool or nominate to enter in a national draft pool.
AFL General Manager Women’s Football Nicole Livingstone said the update was an exciting step in the evolution of the AFLW.
"There is an increased appetite for AFLW players to chase their football dreams in other states, as more opportunities (18 clubs) are presented to them to play footy," Livingstone said.
"With the continued progression of the AFLW competition, we will continue to look at how we can have a draft that balances integrity, fairness and support for potential draftees."
National draft pool
A draft prospect who nominates for the ‘national draft pool’ can be drafted by any of the 18 AFLW clubs.
If they are drafted by a club in another state other than their home state, they will be eligible for relocation support.
Home-state draft pool
A player who nominates for their home-state draft pool can be selected by a club in their home state.
- Resides in Victoria: Carlton, Collingwood, Essendon, Geelong Cats, Hawthorn, Melbourne, North Melbourne, Richmond, St Kilda, Sydney Swans, Western Bulldogs
- Resides in South Australia: Adelaide Crows or Port Adelaide)
- Resides in Western Australia: Fremantle or West Coast)
- Resides in Queensland: Brisbane or Gold Coast SUNS)
- Resides in New South Wales or the Australian Capital Territory: GWS GIANTS or Sydney Swans
- Resides in Tasmania (North Melbourne) *
International players must nominate for the national draft pool.
*Players residing in Tasmania and the Northern Territory are permitted to nominate for any state pool.
The date and time of the AFLW Draft will be announced in due course.
