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The four AFLW expansion clubs will be able to poach as many as 14 players each from rivals in new rules released by the league on Monday.
Essendon, Hawthorn, Port Adelaide and Sydney will join the competition for the 2022-23 season, meaning every AFL club will also have an AFLW team.
The AFL did not reveal the maximum number of players existing clubs could lose in the expansion signing period – which will occur before the sign and trade period – but there is a precedent.
Up to eight players could leave Brisbane and Fremantle, respectively, when Gold Coast and West Coast entered the AFLW last year, whereas the remaining sides had a maximum of four.
St Kilda and Richmond came into the league at the same time.
The AFL introduced various other list-building options for the Bombers, Hawks, Power and Swans to ensure “long-term sustainability and competitive balance”.
They include signing anyone who previously nominated for the draft and isn’t a current listed player and recruiting any under-18 footballer from their Next Generation Academy region.
The expansion clubs won’t be able to trade any player recruited from opposition clubs or signed with the special rules.
Essendon, Hawthorn, Port Adelaide and Sydney will also have the first eight picks in their state-based draft and the order will be based on random selection.
The remaining draft order will be based on existing clubs’ finishing position in the upcoming AFLW season, with expansion clubs added to the end of each round.
AFLW club membership sits at 33,577 members and the Swans lead the way with 3,501 members despite not having a team or a coach yet.
Essendon, Hawthorn, Port Adelaide and Sydney will join the competition for the 2022-23 season, meaning every AFL club will also have an AFLW team.
The AFL did not reveal the maximum number of players existing clubs could lose in the expansion signing period – which will occur before the sign and trade period – but there is a precedent.
Up to eight players could leave Brisbane and Fremantle, respectively, when Gold Coast and West Coast entered the AFLW last year, whereas the remaining sides had a maximum of four.
St Kilda and Richmond came into the league at the same time.
The AFL introduced various other list-building options for the Bombers, Hawks, Power and Swans to ensure “long-term sustainability and competitive balance”.
They include signing anyone who previously nominated for the draft and isn’t a current listed player and recruiting any under-18 footballer from their Next Generation Academy region.
The expansion clubs won’t be able to trade any player recruited from opposition clubs or signed with the special rules.
Essendon, Hawthorn, Port Adelaide and Sydney will also have the first eight picks in their state-based draft and the order will be based on random selection.
The remaining draft order will be based on existing clubs’ finishing position in the upcoming AFLW season, with expansion clubs added to the end of each round.
AFLW club membership sits at 33,577 members and the Swans lead the way with 3,501 members despite not having a team or a coach yet.
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