The AFL Commission has approved changes related to AFL Player Movement and List Management for 2024 and 2025 as part of the AFL Competitive Balance Review.
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said the competitive balance review led by the football department is designed to ensure the competition continues to be as even as possible, year in, year out.
"The AFL competition is as close as it has ever been, we have record membership, record attendance and record viewership," said Mr Dillon.
"There has been substantial investment in the New South Wales and Queensland academies as well as diversity programs across the country and pleasingly we are seeing talent outcomes as a result.
"However, we need to continue to ensure access to talented players remains fair and flexible for our clubs.
"Ultimately, we want our competition to continue to be as close as possible, so every supporter knows on any given day their club is a legitimate chance to compete."
Seven changes have been confirmed today, with changes to the DVI/bidding system to come in effect in 2025, along with future pick trading, whilst Next Generation Academy (NGA) access points, father/son (primary/rookie list), rookies – time on list and free agency compensation changes to be implemented this year. The mechanism for mid-season trading of picks will be applied in mid-2026.
2024 Changes
NGA access point
The AFL will reinstate club access to all NGA players at selection one of the National Draft, to allow clubs to match bids on their NGA players regardless of where the bid falls. This aligns NGA access with Northern Academy and Father-Son access. Previously there was no access for clubs to NGA talent inside the first 40 draft selections.
The AFL will review the NGA zones and eligibility criteria ahead of the 2025 AFL National Draft.
Rookies – time on list
The AFL will introduce a trigger for an additional fourth year on the Rookie List where the Rookie has played less than ten career AFL matches, which will then apply in same way for access to an additional fifth year. Total aggregate years on the Rookie List will be capped at five years (5.5 years for Mid-Season Rookie Draft).
This change aims to assist clubs to invest in players who may take longer to develop.
Free agency compensation
The current free agency compensation model will be retained with an amendment to the compensation formula to include contract length as an additional key determinant. Under the amended model, there will be additional 'points' assigned to each contract as follows:
1 year term = 0 points;
2 years = 0 points;
3 years = 6 points;
4 years = 9 points;
5+ years = 12 points (noting no additional points for contracts longer than 5 years).
Father/son (primary/rookie list)
The AFL Rules will be amended to reflect that a club wanting to include a Father-Son player on its Primary or Rookie List must submit a Form 39A, consistent with the Northern Academy and NGA process. If there is no bid on the player in the AFL National Draft and they are otherwise not selected by the aligned club, that club may pre-list the player to their rookie list.
2025 changes
Draft value index (DVI)/bidding system
New framework for the DVI/bidding system will be implemented aiming to restore fair value.
The new DVI will see points allocated up until the end of the natural third round. (Link to new DVI model)
A 10% discount will be applied on all bids from selection 1 to 18 followed by an 84-point deduction (being 10% of selection 18) for all bids from selection 19 to 36.
Matching a bid - first round: Matched using equivalent DVI points.
Matching a bid - after first-round:
Matched using equivalent DVI points up to selection 36.
Match with next selection from selection 37.
Restriction on Northern Academies: There will be no restrictions based on ladder finishing position for Northern Academy clubs.
Future pick trading
From 2025, Clubs will be able to trade future draft selections up to two years in advance subject to the following AFL imposed protections:
Clubs must use two first round selections every four years.
Clubs must have board approval to trade any first round selections.
For second year only: Clubs must hold the full suite of draft selections (2nd and 3rd round selections) to trade their first round selections and vice versa.
2026 changes
Mid-season trading of picks
A mechanism for the trading of mid-season draft selections will be established in mid-2026 (following the 2025 National Draft) with the following key features:
The draft selection trade period will open 30 minutes prior to the Mid-Season Rookie Draft (MSRD).
The trading of both MSRD selections and the National Draft selections will be permitted.
Future National Draft selections may be traded, subject future selection trading rules.
Live draft night trades must include MSRD selections.
MSRD selections may only be traded if a club has a selection in the MSRD.
AFL Executive General Manager of Football Laura Kane said the changes are a result of an extensive consultation process aimed at continuing to drive competitive balance.
"These changes form part of the broader competitive balance review and are aimed at driving competitive balance and adapting to the developing player movement and list management landscape," said Ms Kane.
"After an extensive consultation process with our Clubs, it was clear that Clubs wanted more flexibility and levers in this space and a fairer price to be paid for talent concessions.
"These changes are interconnected and important as they set the framework for list management and player movement.
"A strong theme following our consultation period was ensuring a fairer price was paid for access to talent concessions.
"We believe that by amending the DVI to have less picks with points attached and fewer points overall, it will see Clubs paying fairer value for talent at the draft.
"We consider that the Northern Academies and NGA talent concessions are important strategic objectives for the AFL, whilst also acknowledging that father/son players are a key part of the history of our game. We will however continue to review the application of the10 percent discount following the 2025 National Draft.
"Whilst the number of Indigenous players on AFL lists have remained consistent over the past four years, with a reduction in 2024, we are focused on growing this number for future years.
"We believe removing restrictions on access to NGA talent will incentivise our clubs to invest and develop in their Indigenous and multicultural talent programs and felt strongly that this change should occur as soon as possible.
"Our game is better when we have people from diverse backgrounds bringing their unique talent and perspective. We want our game to reflect all those who love it, on and off the field.
"We would like to thank our clubs and stakeholders for their input. We received thoughtful and considered responses on a range of topics and all Clubs had the best interests of the game at the heart of their feedback."
The seven changes confirmed today form part of the wider competitive balance review with other project work relating to football performance, football operations and talent remaining ongoing.