INTRODUCTION
As we approach the 2024 Telstra AFLW Draft, we are entering an exciting new era with the introduction of the league’s first ever National Draft.
On December 16 at Marvel Stadium, clubs across the country will select the best young players in a truly national draft pool, drawing from every corner of Australia.
It’s an exciting progression from last year’s opt-in model, where almost 70 per cent of draft nominees entered the ‘national draft pool' which speaks not only to the growth of the competition, but also the increased appetite for AFLW players to chase their football dreams around the nation.
Draft night will be a day when dreams come true. Future stars of the competition will hear their names called and take their first steps into the AFLW – ready to take the competition by storm and make their mark on the game they love.
For years, the AFLW Draft has been the starting point for remarkable careers. From Mon Ham to Mon Conti – the stars of our competition’s careers have all kicked-off by having their named read out on Draft night.
Zarlie Goldsworthy, last year’s Rising Star, was selected at pick 20 in the 2022 AFLW Draft from the Murray Bushrangers. Jasmine Fleming, the star midfielder for the Hawks, was taken with the second pick in the 2022 AFLW Draft.
The 2017 draft saw Chloe Molloy and Mon Conti drafted and make an immediate impact in their first season – Chloe won the Rising Star award and Mon the Grand Final Best on Ground medal.
I can’t wait to see the impact our 2024 Draft class have on our competition. Best of luck to all the draftees and clubs preparing for this event. The 2024 Telstra AFLW Draft marks the beginning of a new chapter, and we can’t wait to see this year’s players take to the field in 2025.
Emma Moore, General Manager of AFLW.
ABOUT THE 2024 TELSTRA AFLW NATIONAL DRAFT
- The 2024 Telstra AFLW National Draft (2024 AFLW Draft) will be held on 16 December 2024.
- All players wishing to be considered for selection are required to nominate for the draft by going to https://www.play.afl/draftnominations between 9am (AEST) Wednesday 6 November and 3pm (AEST) Wednesday 27th November, 2024.
- Players are able nominate for the National pool only.
- Players are eligible to be selected by any Club.
- The 2024 Telstra AFLW Draft order is based on reverse finishing order positions from the previous season as well as any compensation draft picks allocated by the AFL.
- Each Club must make at least two selections in the 2024 Telstra AFLW Draft.
- AFLW Clubs will be provided with a full list of draft nominees after nominations have closed, including any players nominated as potential Father-Daughter or Northern Academy selections (see below).
SUPPLEMENTARY SELECTON PERIOD
- Clubs are permitted to keep up to two (2) spots open at the end of the 2024 Telstra AFLW Draft to be used in the Supplementary Selection Period.
- The Supplementary Selection Period will run from 12pm (AEDT) Monday 3rd February 2025 until 2pm (AEDT) on Friday 28th February 2025.
- Within that Period, Clubs will be permitted to select and advise the AFL of their final Primary Listed player(s).
- Clubs can select players from within their own State or from another State (or overseas), with the player needing to agree to sign.
- Only players who nominated for the 2024 Telstra AFLW Draft are eligible to be signed.
- Relocation costs as agreed by AFL and AFLPA in the 2023-2027 Collective Bargaining Agreement applicable to AFLW players shall be payable by each Club where a player meets the criteria agreed between AFL and AFLPA in the CBA applicable to AFLW players.
FATHER DAUGHTER RULE
- A player may be nominated by an AFLW Club based on the Father-Daughter rule if their father played at least 1 AFL game for that Club.
- Where relevant, an AFLW Club must submit a Father-Daughter nomination form to the AFL by Monday 18th November 2024 (note the player must have separately nominated for the 2024 Telstra AFLW Draft). The Father – Daughter bidding process will take place during the 2024 Telstra AFLW Draft.
NORTHERN ACADEMY CONCESSIONS
- A player may be nominated by the Brisbane Lions, Gold Coast Suns, Greater Western Sydney Giants or Sydney Swans under the Northern Academy concessions if the Player is a current member of the respective Club academy program and meets the Draft eligibility criteria.
- Where relevant, an AFLW Club must submit a Northern Academy nomination form to the AFL by Monday 18th November 2024 (note the player must have separately nominated for the 2024 AFLW Draft). The Northern Academy bidding process will take place during the AFLW Draft.
KEY DATES
November 6, 2024 - AFLW Draft Nominations open 9am (AEDST)
November 27, 2024 - AFLW Draft Nominations close 5pm (AEDST)
December 16, 2024 - 2024 AFLW Draft
February 3, 2025 - AFLW Supplementary Selection Period commences 12pm (AEDT)
February 28, 2025 - AFLW Supplementary Selection Period concludes 2pm (AEDT)
March 5, 2025 - AFLW Club Final List Lodgement 2pm (AEDT)
KEY QUESTIONS/INFORMATION
HOW DO I NOMINATE FOR THE NATIONAL DRAFT?
You must nominate online via https://www.play.afl/draftnominations.
Once you have completed your form online, you will receive an email to alert you the nomination has been approved by the AFL.
OTHER BENEFITS OF NOMINATION
By nominating for the 2024 AFLW Draft, nominees will unlock eligibility for selection as an Inactive Replacement Player, Train On Player and Top Up Player next year.
PLAYERS ELIGIBLE TO BE DRAFTED
A player who has nominated is eligible to be drafted in the 2024 AFLW Draft if they have satisfied the following requirements:
- The player must have attained, or will attain the age of 18 years, on or before 31 December 2024;
- The player must not be bound to an AFLW Club; and
- The player has been:
a. registered to play in 2024 in any recognised Club or school football competition in Australia; or
b. a bona fide resident for a continuous period of three years preceding the 2024 AFLW Draft in a country other than Australia, unless the General Counsel considers that there is a reasonable explanation for the player not having satisfied this item 3 and should nonetheless be eligible to be drafted.
WHAT ARE THE DRAFT REGIONS?
- National (all Clubs)
- International (all Clubs – only available to Players who normally reside outside of Australia)
IF I AM SELECTED AT THE AFLW DRAFT, AM I BOUND TO THE CLUB THAT SELECTS ME?
Yes.
HOW WILL I KNOW IF I’M DRAFTED?
The Club that selects you will be in contact to congratulate you and communicate the next steps, including your induction and training details. The Draft will also be broadcast via the AFL website.
WHAT IS THE SUPPLEMENTARY SELECTION PERIOD?
Each Club will have the option to retain up to two (2) spots on its list that can be filled between 12pm (AEDT) Monday 3rd February 2025 until 2pm (AEDT) on Friday 28th February 2025. This will allow Clubs to consider interstate players that may be willing to move (on their own accord) after not being selected in the Draft.
RELOCATION
Any first year Players who are required to relocate once being drafted will be eligible for relocation allowance support. Player relocation is classified in four ways:
- International relocation: a Player is from outside Australia
- Interstate relocation: a Player is drafted by a Club in another state and the total distance travelled is greater than 150km from the Club’s training facility
- Regional relocation: a Player lives greater than 150km from the Club’s training facility
- Outer metropolitan relocation: a Player lives greater than 80km but less than 150km from the Club’s training facility
A Player will not be eligible for relocation if the Club is within 80km of their home address (as per their Draft nomination).
Where the player is eligible, the player will receive the following relocation benefits in their first year:
- Reasonable costs of transporting the player and their belongings (based on actual costs) to the location of the Club they are drafted by.
- Living allowance of up to $16,500 (plus FBT, where applicable) for the reimbursement of allowable Costs attributed to the purchase or rent of household items, rent, living expenses or any other reasonable relocation-related expenses
- An Interstate Relocated Player will be permitted 6 return economy flights and 4 nights accommodation at the Player’s new location.
- A Regional Relocated Player will be permitted petrol reimbursement for 6 return trips, valued according to the ATO’s cents per km reimbursement guidelines, or 6 return economy flights and 4 nights accommodation at the Player’s new location.
Relocation costs as agreed by AFL and AFLPA in the CBA applicable to AFLW players shall be payable by each Club where a player meets the criteria set out above. The agreed relocation entitlement is included in Clause 5 of Schedule 4 the CBA.
FATHER-DAUGHTER LISTING
A player can be nominated by a Club based on the Father-Daughter rule if their father played at least one (1) AFL game for the Club.
NORTHERN ACADEMY LISTING
A player can be nominated by a Club based on the Northern Academy rule if they are a member of that Club’s Northern Academy and have been domiciled in that Club’s Academy Zone for a continuous period of 3 years or more, immediately prior to their nomination.
ABOUT THE NAB AFLW COMPETITION
WHICH CLUBS ARE INVOLVED?
Adelaide, Brisbane Lions, Carlton, Collingwood, Essendon, Fremantle, Geelong, Gold Coast, Greater Western Sydney, Hawthorn, Melbourne, North Melbourne, Port Adelaide, Richmond, St Kilda, Sydney, West Coast and the Western Bulldogs.
WHEN AND WHERE WILL GAMES BE PLAYED?
The competition dates for 2025 are yet to be confirmed. The fixture, including format and schedule of games, will be released soon. For reference, the NAB 2024 AFLW Season dates are 30 August– 30 November, 2024.
Players will be required to travel throughout the course of the competition but all reasonable expenses in doing so will be covered by the AFL/AFLW Clubs.
WILL PLAYERS BE REQUIRED TO BE FULL-TIME PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES?
No, you will be part time with access to your club’s facilities, coaches and player development programs on offer. The training requirements will all be laid out for you in advance and every measure possible will be put in place to avoid any impact on your work or study.
