- Moderator
- #1
- Clubs are tipped to be able to retain 20 players each before the draft, with the rest needing either to be traded or delisted. Players without a club will then be eligible to be re-drafted later in the year, along with new entrants to the draft pool.
- Because of the semi-professional nature of the competition, it's likely player permission will be required before any trade is made, as it would be unfair to ask a player to move interstate given some AFLW players earn less than $10,000. Before the first AFLW draft last year, players were asked to nominate a state in which they wanted to play.
- It's expected that club lists will expand slightly from 27 players this season to around 30 in 2018. The constraints of fielding a team of 22 weekly from a list of 27 had been an issue for the eight AFLW teams this year, even though there were provisions for replacement players to help clubs deal with season-ending injuries.
- The AFL has committed to keeping the eight-team structure for next year despite the strong urging of St Kilda and Geelong for the league to reconsider its decision.
- AFL chiefs are planning an expanded two-week finals series for the women’s game next year after the success of the first season.
- Broadcast arrangements will also be looked at after Channel Seven and Fox Footy agreed to show this year's season for free.
- FANS can expect free entry to NAB AFL Women's games in 2018 with the AFL keen for the competition to become entrenched in the sporting calendar.