COULD Delisted Free Agents dominate the upcoming AFLW player movement period?

Under the Delisted Free Agent (DFA) rules, delisted players can cross to the club of their choosing without the need for a trade to be completed, with Jess Wuetschner, Alison Downie and Richelle Cranston among those to have used the mechanism in recent years.

Given the upcoming supplementary draft is restricted to mature-age prospects, clubs are anticipating that a higher number of DFAs will be signed during this year's trade period than usual.

Sarah Hartwig and Richelle Cranston celebrate a goal during the Western Bulldogs' round nine, S7 clash with West Coast at Mineral Resources Park. Picture: AFL Photos

The thinking is that while state league players will comprise a large proportion of the draftee pool, only a limited number of state league games will have been played before the draft date (April 4). While the SANFLW started on February 17 and the NTFL Women's Premier League started back in October last year, the VFLW only starts on March 25 and the WAFLW on March 11, while Queensland and New South Wales' respective state leagues won't have started by the draft date.

With limited opportunity to see draft prospects in action, clubs are wary of taking a punt on under-exposed form and talent.

LIST CHANGES All the AFLW delistings after season seven

With DFAs, there is at least some visibility of their previous form and performances.

Clubs will not have to participate in the supplementary draft if their list of 30 is complete, meaning some are eyeing off DFAs as a way to top up their lists, rather than going to the draft.

Collingwood's Alison Downie celebrates a win during round 10, 2022. Picture: AFL Photos

At the same time, clubs are reluctant to delist their own players if there isn't a guarantee of improving their list through trade, DFAs or the draft.

It means in some cases, there's somewhat of a stand-off occurring, waiting for others to blink and delist more players to add to the pool.

INDICATIVE DRAFT ORDER Which picks does your club have?

Some clubs already have DFA signings in their sights, with Former West Coast midfielder Hayley Bullas expected to cross to Sydney as a DFA, while ex-Roo Sophie Abbatangelo's name has also been raised as a possible recruit for a few clubs.

Others who have been delisted and would be hoping for a career revival include Charlotte Hammans, Poppy Schaap, Jordan Zanchetta, Tori Groves-Little, Jade Pregelj, Dom Carbone, Ali Brown, Britt Perry and Imahra Cameron.

DFAs who are not picked up by another club during the sign and trade movement will also be able to nominate for the supplementary draft.

Poppy Schaap handballs during Carlton's clash against Gold Coast in round nine, S7, 2022. Picture: AFL Photos

Collingwood (list of 31), Geelong (32) and the Western Bulldogs (31) are yet to delist any players.

Adelaide has also not yet delisted any players, but lost three to retirement and Ash Woodland to Port Adelaide.

TRADE LATEST Every move of the 2023 AFLW sign and trade period as it happens

The trade period itself closes on Monday, March 20, with the DFA period running from March 21-23.

Notable Delisted Free Agents

  • Kellie Gibson (Adelaide to Fremantle, cross-state deal could not be struck, 2017)
  • Bec Privitelli (Carlton to GWS, 2017)
  • Belinda Smith (Fremantle to Western Bulldogs, 2018)
  • Hannah Burchell (Geelong to Richmond, 2019)
  • Mia-Rae Clifford (Geelong to Fremantle, 2019)
  • Tilly Lucas-Rodd (Carlton to St Kilda, 2019)
  • Sally Riley (Adelaide to Gold Coast, 2019)
  • Aimee Schmidt (GWS to West Coast, 2021)
  • Alison Downie (Carlton to Collingwood, 2021)
  • Richelle Cranston (Geelong to Western Bulldogs, 2021)
  • Phoebe Monahan (Richmond to Brisbane, 2021)
  • Kate McCarthy (St Kilda to Hawthorn, 2022)
  • Rhiannon Watt (St Kilda to Melbourne, 2022)
  • Jess Wuetschner (Brisbane to Essendon, 2022)
  • Akec Makur Chuot (Richmond to Hawthorn, 2022)