The AFL today met with all 18 Clubs as part of its briefing to open the AFL Trade Period which started today, Wednesday November 4.

As part of its meeting, the AFL provided an update on Next Generation Academy Concessions, the Pre-Season Supplementary Selection Period and the NAB AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft.

Next Generation Academy Concessions

From 2021, Next Generation Academies (NGAs) - targeting Indigenous and multicultural players - will be overseen by the AFL Talent Pathway program with support from AFL Clubs. As part of this change, the AFL Commission determined that the concession model for NGAs be revised to reflect this.
 
The following changes to the NGA concession model ahead of the 2021 and 2022 NAB AFL Drafts will be as follows:

• From 2021, nominated NGA prospects will only be eligible to be matched from Pick 21 in the NAB AFL Draft. All other players selected from Pick 41 onwards can be matched by their Club using their next available selection, while undrafted players are still eligible to pre-selected on the rookie list.
• From 2022, nominated NGA prospects will only be eligible to be matched from Pick 41 onwards by their Club using their next available selection, while undrafted players are still eligible to pre-selected on the rookie list.

This model allows for elite talent to be available to all AFL Clubs while still ensuring late prospects can find their way onto an AFL list and continue their relationship with the respective Club that has been supporting them.
 
A summary of changes can be found in the table below:
 

 
Pre-Season Supplementary Selection Period 
 
The Pre-Season Supplementary Selection Period (SSP) will operate as per 2020 but will not commence until January 6, 2020 and conclude prior to the start of the 2021 Toyota AFL Premiership Season.
 
The following will apply:

• Players are permitted to participate in training sessions, intra-club matches, practice matches and the Marsh Community Series.
• If a player is contracted to a State League Club at the time of signing during this period, the State League Club will be eligible for compensation from the AFL Club, noting the following exceptions:
• A player that signs a State League contract after signing a Consent Form and commencing training
• A player in their 18^th year / first year of draft eligibility.

NAB AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft

The AFL today proposed an alternative model to the NAB AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft for 2021 that would allow Clubs to fill vacant list spots or replace inactive players on a monthly basis.

Details of that proposal are as follows:

• Between the end of the SSP and prior to Round One, undrafted and other eligible players can opt into being upgraded to an AFL list during the 2021 Toyota AFL Premiership Season.
• Clubs can then nominate to upgrade a previously undrafted or eligible player to their respective Rookie List at three different periods throughout the 2021 season (eg. following Round Four, Round Eight, and Round 12).
• In the instance that the same player is nominated by two or more Clubs, the player will go to the team lower on the ladder under a rolling process (eg. if a Club selects a player, that Club goes to the back of the line).

The AFL informed Clubs it would discuss this model further with both AFL and State League Clubs over the next month with the view to finalising whether it is introduced in the 2021 Toyota AFL Premiership Season.
 
Please note: All dates listed are subject to confirmation of the AFL Fixture.