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Resource FAQs: Rules, Regulations and Resources for Player Movements in the AFL

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Club List Sizes
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    • #2
    Club List Sizes

    Clubs are restricted to the following list compositions, for a maximum of 44 listed players:

    Primary List SizeCategory A RookiesCategory B RookiesTotal Rookies MaximumTOTAL
    36 (Minimum)1-60-28 (Maximum)44
    370-50-2744
    38 (Maximum)0-40-26 (Minimum)44
    Source: Appendix 1 (p. 186) Australian Football League Rules

    Club List Management
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    • Will all clubs be given the opportunity to complete trades weeks after the trade 'deadline'?
    • Following the Treloar example.

    Will all teams get a chance next year to do trades well after trade week?

    Assuming the picks are confirmed , can the salary percentages be discussed indefinitely? Say until Christmas
     
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    Composition of Past Premiership Teams
    • Thanks guys, I got the format exactly how I wanted it, much easier to compare than I originally imagined! Very fun.


    Picks used in the national draft to build premiership teams (last 20 years):



    Composition of premiership teams (last 20 years):



    I am most interested in the rounded averages at the end, and a sort of historical premiership winning team template:
    • 1x Pre-Season Draftee
    • 3x Rookie Draftees
    • 18x National Draft Picks
      • 7x 1st (1-18) Rounders (4 of which are top 10 == Only need to spend 4-6 years of a rebuild out of finals? Or instead play finals the whole time and trade up for those picks, but double the rebuild length?)
      • 5x 2nd (19-36) Rounders
      • 4x 3rd (37-54) Rounders
      • 2x 4th+ (>55)
      • All to be divided between ~14 players drafted yourself and ~4 players traded in from other clubs to fill any remaining holes.
    Also cool to learn a couple of interesting things I didn't know:
    • 2011 Geelong had 20 players they drafted themselves in the national draft! Them and 2010 Collingwood and 2008 Hawthorn each drafted 21/22 of their players, only trading in 1 each!
    • 2012 Sydney best use of low draft picks! Moneyball? They traded in 6 players (2 of which were AAs w/ them that year) in return for 0 first rounders and 2 second rounders. ik there's COLA but they were the only premiership team in the last 21 years (at least) with no players from Expansion/Foundation Zones, Priority Picks, Father-Son Selections, Free Agency or any miscellaneous compensation picks. Not that any of those things are wrong; the AFL uses those things as their toolkit to keep the playing field level, but still.
    • 2008 Hawthorn conversely best use of high draft picks! It's funny to reflect how often high pick players don't pan out or were poor selections, and how a lot of high picks don't translate to success e.g. GC, Carlton and to a lesser extent GWS.
    • The building of a premiership team seems to be at least 10 years in the making (I suppose any team selected at any given time has a player at least 10 years into a career in it), with the older players being the talented ones. It's just freaky how long the process of list turnover is and how easy to screw up over that journey.
     
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    How does it work when a club is paying for a player who joins another team?
    • Apologies if this has already been posted about - hard to keep up with it all.

    With the Pies still paying for some of Treloar's salary - how does this work with the cap?
    It is still theirs? It's under the Dogs?

    Can anyone clarify how this works?

    Are all of these inter-club payments public information?
     
    • List Lodgements
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    • #24
    List Lodgements

    There are three main list lodgement dates each year.

    The deadlines for list lodgement are typically;
    (1) 2pm on the 31st of October,​
    (2) 2pm on the 14th of November, and​
    (3) a third date to be determined by the AFL prior to the pre-season draft (required for those seeking to participate in the pre-season draft)​
    (4) a final date following the conclusion of the pre-season draft​

    All times and dates may also be altered by the AFL as needed.

    On each lodgement date, the number of players included on the primary list may not exceed the list size limits detailed here.

    Clubs must also be able to show full and complete details of all Football payments expected to be made in the relevant year and be able to demonstrate that it has not exceeded and will not exceed its TPP in that year, detailed here.

    Failing to comply to each of these can incur sanctions in accordance with the AFL Rules.

    AFL Rules 2021 said:
    6.1 Lodgement of Primary Lists of Players
    (a) Lodge Primary Lists​
    (i) Each Club shall advise the AFL of the Players included on its Primary List by lodging by 2.00 p.m. on the 31 October in each year (or such other date or time determined by the AFL) the List prescribed in Schedule 1 as Form 7. The number of Players included on the Primary List must not exceed the number as determined from time to time by the Commission under Rule 5.2.​
    Sanction: 10 Units​
    (ii) Each Club shall re-submit its Primary List to the AFL of the Players included on its Primary List by lodging by 2.00 p.m. on the 14 November in each year (or such other date or time determined by the AFL) the List prescribed in Schedule 1 as Form 7. The number of Players included on the Primary List must not exceed the number as determined from time to time by the Commission under Rule 5.2.​
    Sanction: 10 Units​
    (iii) At the same time as the submission of Primary Lists in accordance with Rule 6.1(a)(i) and 6.1(a)(ii), all Clubs shall deliver to the AFL full and complete details of all Football Payments expected to be made in respect of the services provided by each of its Players during the relevant Football Year in the form which may be specified from time to time by the AFL and each Club must demonstrate that it has not exceeded and will not exceed its Total Player Payments for that Football Year. The form delivered under this Rule must be signed by the Chief Executive/General Manager and Football Manager of the relevant Club.​
    Sanction: Maximum 100 Units​
    (Also refer Rule 28 and Rule 29)​
    (iv) A Club is ineligible to participate in the Pre-Season Draft Selection Meeting if the Investigations Manager in his absolute discretion considers that the details of all Football Payments provided by the Club under Rule 6.1(a)(iii) shows that the Club has exceeded the Total Player Payments for the relevant Football Year, or the Club is likely to exceed the Total Player Payments for the relevant Football Year if a Player or Players were selected at the Pre-Season Draft Selection Meeting​
    (See also Rule 7.12)​
    Sanction: 10 Units​

    7.2 Pre-Season and Final List Lodgement
    (a) Each Club wanting to participate in the Pre-Season Draft shall advise the AFL of the Players included on its Primary List by lodging with the AFL the List prescribed in Schedule 1 as Form 12 on or before the date and time determined by the AFL. The Primary List shall be selected from:​
    (i) its immediately preceding Lists;​
    (ii) Players entitled to be included on a Primary List pursuant to any other provision of these Rules,​
    such Primary List being less in number than the maximum number of Players determined pursuant to Rule 5.2.​
    (b) Each Club shall re-submit its Primary List to the AFL by lodging with the AFL the List prescribed in Schedule 1 as Form 12, on a time and date determined by the AFL, which will not be before the Pre-Season Draft Selection Meeting.​
    The Primary List shall be selected from:​
    (i) its immediately preceding Lists;​
    (ii) Players entitled to be included on a Primary List pursuant to any other provision of these Rules, such Primary List must not exceed the number of Players as determined from time to time by the Commission pursuant to Rule 5.2.​
    Click to expand...
    AFL Rules 2021
     
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    • Rookie Lists
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    • #3
    Rookie Lists

    There are two rookie lists, Category A and Category B.

    Category B is the more restricted type of rookie, catering to players from specific non-traditional pathways. Clubs may have up to two Category B rookies at a time. They are not allowed to play in senior matches except when upgraded in lieu of a player on the long term injury list.

    This includes eligible former International Scholarship List players, players who have not played or been registered to play Aussie rules football for at least 3 years, Club or Next Generation Academy players (may be pre-listed if not selected during the National Draft) and Irish players.

    AFL Rules 2021 said:
    10.1 (b) In addition to maintaining the maximum number of allowable Category A Rookie Players on their Rookie List under Rule 10.1, each Club may include a maximum of two (2) extra Players on its Category B Rookie List provided those Players are:
    (i) former International Scholarship List Players at that Club who have been nominated under Rule 13.5 or 13.8;
    (ii) former Club Academy players at that Club who have been nominated under Rule 14.4;
    (iii) International Players;
    (iv) Players who have not been registered or played in an Australian football competition for 3 years immediately before inclusion on the Rookie List;
    (v) a Qualified NGA Player of the Club who has been nominated in accordance with Rule 15.8(c).

    14.4 (e) (i) Subject to Rule 14.4(e)(ii), where a Club Academy Player has been nominated in accordance with Rule 14.4(c) and is not selected at a National Draft or Pre-Season Draft Selection Meeting, the Club with whom he is eligible as a Club Academy Player may include him on its Rookie List prior to the Rookie Draft Selection Meeting in accordance with Rule 10.4.

    15.8 (c) If a Qualified NGA Player is eligible to be selected in the National Draft Selection Meeting and is not selected, the relevant Club may include the Player on its Rookie List prior to the Rookie Draft Selection Meeting by lodging Form 34A by the date required by the AFL.
    Click to expand...
    https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/do...3aff/AFL-Rules-effective-16-February-2021.pdf

    All other rookies are classed as Category A rookies, of which each club can have between 0 and 6 dependent on the size of their Primary Playing List (see Club list sizes).

    Category A rookies are allowed to play an unlimited number of senior games, and can come from a wide range of backgrounds, but usually join their club via the draft (with some exceptions, see Draft). The Category A rookie list may also include a maximum of one Irish player.

    AFL Rules 2021 said:
    10.1 (a) Each Club must maintain a Rookie List up to a maximum number of Category A Rookie Players and Category B Rookie Players as detailed in Appendix 1.

    10.1 (c) Notwithstanding Rule 10.1(b)(iii), a Club may include one Irish citizen or Player who has, in the opinion of the AFL, lived for a substantial period of time in Ireland prior to inclusion on the Rookie List on its Rookie List in accordance with Rule 10.1(b).
    Click to expand...
    https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/do...3aff/AFL-Rules-effective-16-February-2021.pdf

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    • Standard playing contracts
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    Standard Playing Contracts

    All AFL players must be contracted using a Standard Playing Contract, which must incorporate the minimum terms and conditions set out in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), and be signed off by the player, a representative of the club, and either an accredited agent, parent or legal guardian of the player.

    CBA 2017-2022 said:
    21.1 (a) All contracts for the playing of Australian Football entered into between a Player, an AFL Club and the AFL shall be in the form of the Standard Playing Contract.

    21.1 (b) All Standard Playing Contracts, variations and Additional Service Agreements lodged with the AFL shall be supported by statutory declarations made by each of the following persons:
    (i) the Player;​
    (ii) an officer of the AFL Club who had the care and conduct of negotiating with the Player; and​
    (iii) an Accredited Agent, parent or legal guardian, as the case may be, who has been authorised by the Player to act on his behalf in negotiating with the AFL Club.​
    Click to expand...
    https://www.aflplayers.com.au/app/uploads/2020/11/AFL_CBA_2017-2022.pdf

    Draftees must be contracted for a minimum of two years unless they were previously a rookie or are over 23 by the end of their draft year (exceptions may be granted).

    CBA 2017-2022 said:
    22.3 (a) When a first year Player is first drafted by an AFL Club, that Player and the AFL Club shall enter into a Standard Playing Contract for a minimum term of two years except in the case of a Player who has previously been drafted as a Rookie or where the Player is over 23 years of age by 31 December in the year in which he is selected by a Club.

    22.3 (b) Where a person, who has nominated for the AFL Draft, can demonstrate to the General Counsel that the provisions of clause 22.3(a) would operate to unreasonably restrain him from obtaining employment with an AFL Club as a professional footballer, the provisions of clause 22.3(a) will not apply.
    Click to expand...
    https://www.aflplayers.com.au/app/uploads/2020/11/AFL_CBA_2017-2022.pdf

    All Standard Playing Contracts must expire on October 31st in the final year of the contract.

    CBA 2017-2022 said:
    22.1 (e) All Standard Playing Contracts shall expire on 31 October in the final year of the Player’s contract unless the contract has been varied or renewed, in which case the contract shall expire on 31 October in the final year of the varied or renewed contract.
    Click to expand...
    https://www.aflplayers.com.au/app/uploads/2020/11/AFL_CBA_2017-2022.pdf

    Trigger clauses may be included in playing contracts, but neither the club nor the player can enforce a trigger clause for a contract extension without the agreement of the other.

    CBA 2017-2022 said:
    21.1 (g) An AFL Club and a Player shall not include provision in a Standard Playing Contract which would entitle either party to unilaterally exercise an option to extend the term of a Player’s contract.
    Click to expand...
    https://www.aflplayers.com.au/app/uploads/2020/11/AFL_CBA_2017-2022.pdf

    If contracts are not extended, and the player does not qualify for Free Agency, the player must be either traded, delisted, retired, or enter the national draft or pre-season draft.

    Senior players (not Rookies) who are out of contract will continue to be bound to their club until the end of the National Draft unless the club removes his name from the club’s list prior to October 31 of that year.

    AFL Rules 2021 said:
    4.8 (a) A Player shall be bound to a Club if he or she is properly included on the Club's List in accordance with these Rules. This Rule does not apply to a Player listed on a Club’s Rookie List, in which case Rule 10.3 applies.

    4.8 (b) If a contract between a Club and a Player expires on 31 October in any year, the Player shall remain registered as a Player of and be bound to the Club until the conclusion of the National Draft Selection Meeting in the relevant year. This Rule does not apply if the Club deletes the Player’s name from its List during the period 31 October until the time and day when the delisted Player is able to nominate for the National Draft Selection Meeting under Rule 6.2(c).

    4.8 (c) If a Player remains bound to a Club by reason of Rule 4.8(b), the Club must pay to the Player an allowance in the amount determined from time to time by the AFL and AFLPA.
    Click to expand...
    https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/do...3aff/AFL-Rules-effective-16-February-2021.pdf


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    Player Contracts and Stats
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    • #30
    The following was originally posted here: https://www.bigfooty.com/forum/thre...agents-other-stats-live-spreadsheets.1207363/

    Contract and Stats – Auto-Updating Spreadsheet

    (May take a few seconds to load up)

    Two years ago, Taylor and I created a series of spreadsheets tracking player contract, age, height and related data across the entire league.

    These spreadsheets draw data from footywire, and are as up to date as footywire is on any given day. Over the off-season things tend to get a bit out of date, as footywire inevitably struggles to keep up with the news as players re-sign, are delisted, retire or change clubs.

    Contracts and Free Agency Status

    This information is also broken down into individual teams, which are pinned in each of the following club focus threads:

    Adelaide
    Brisbane Lions
    Carlton
    Collingwood
    Essendon
    Fremantle
    Geelong
    Gold Coast
    GWS
    Hawthorn
    Melbourne
    North Melbourne
    Port Adelaide
    Richmond
    St Kilda
    Sydney
    West Coast
    Western Bulldogs


    Player Age by Club



    Player Height by Club



    Career Games by Club



    Season Games by Club



    Contract Lengths by Club



    Premiership Teams of the last decade
     
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    • State of Origin
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    • #29
    State of Origin

    Some ballpark numbers on the state of origin of current AFL players, also shown by club and in comparison to the Australian population:

    Screen Shot 2019-11-09 at 5.41.53 pm.png
    Screen Shot 2019-11-09 at 5.41.30 pm.png
    Screen Shot 2019-11-21 at 6.36.46 pm.png
    Screen Shot 2019-11-09 at 5.38.30 pm.png
     
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    Rookie Contracts
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    • #5
    Rookie Contracts

    In the case of a rookie, the above rules regarding Standard Playing Contracts also apply except:

    Rookies are entitled to a minimum initial contract of one year, except in the case of international rookies, whose minimum initial contract is two years.
    AFL Rules 2021 said:
    10.2 (d) Where a Club includes a Player on its Rookie List, it shall:
    (i) in the case of an International Player, enter into a Contract of Service for a minimum of 2 AFL Football Seasons; or​
    (ii) in the case any other Player, enter into a Contract of Service for a minimum of 1 AFL Football Season.​
    Click to expand...
    https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/do...3aff/AFL-Rules-effective-16-February-2021.pdf

    Rookie contracts may only be extended to a total tenure of 5.5 years. (as of 2024)
    AFL Rules 2021 said:
    10.10 (a) A Club may retain a Player on its Rookie List for a second season provided it nominates such Player or Players using Form 32, prior to advising the AFL of its Primary List under Rule 6.1(a) and such Player consents to being nominated on the Rookie List for a second season.

    10.10 (b) A Club may retain a Player on its Rookie List for a third season provided it nominates such Player or Players using Form 32 prior to advising the AFL of its Primary List under Rule 6.1(a) and such Player consents to being nominated on the Rookie List for a third season.
    Click to expand...
    https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/do...3aff/AFL-Rules-effective-16-February-2021.pdf

    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).
    Click to expand...

    Rule change to be applied

    https://www.afl.com.au/news/1185312/afl-player-movement-and-list-management-changes

    A rookie player may be included on their Club’s senior list prior to the draft.

    AFL Rules 2021 said:
    10.11 (a) A Club may apply to the AFL to transfer a Player or Players from its Rookie List onto its Primary List:
    (i) on the day when its Primary List is lodged with the AFL prior to the National Draft Selection Meeting under Rule 6.1 by lodging with the AFL the form prescribed in Schedule 1 as Form 33. In which case, the Club shall forfeit its last selection or, if more than one player, its last and each previous draft selection at the National AFL Draft Selection meeting.​
    (ii) in the case of a Category B Rookie, under Rule 26.1(b); or​
    (iii) at any time between the National Draft Selection Meeting and the day when its Primary List is lodged with the AFL prior to the Pre-Season Draft Selection Meeting under Rule 7.1, by lodging with the AFL the form prescribed in Schedule 1 as Form 33. In which case, the Club shall forfeit its last selection or, if more than one player, its last and each previous draft selection at the Pre-seaso Draft Selection Meeting.​
    Click to expand...
    https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/do...3aff/AFL-Rules-effective-16-February-2021.pdf

    If a player is not included on the senior list and the contract is not renewed (or the player has completed their third year as a rookie) and if the rookie player does not qualify for Free Agency, then as with senior listed players they must be delisted, retired, traded, or nominate for the Draft.

    Ordinarily after three years on the rookie list, a player must be promoted or delisted (or sometimes delisted and re-drafted in the rookie draft!) For 2022, a rookie player can spend a fourth year on the Category A or Category B rookie lists as a 'replacement year' due to the pandemic.

    Callum Twomey on Aug 4 2021 said:
    CLUBS are set to retain the same list sizes for 2022 while rookies in their third season will be allowed to spend a fourth 'replacement year' on the list after the AFL passed a rule change ahead of the off-season.

    Under AFL rules players had not been allowed to spend more than three straight years on the rookie list. However, clubs had been lobbying the League to give extra time to rookies who had been disrupted in their development by the past two AFL seasons by COVID-19.

    It saw the AFL confirm to clubs on Wednesday that any player in their third season as a Category A or B rookie will be eligible to spend another season as a rookie in 2022 as a 'replacement' year.

    The players will not be required to be delisted and go through the draft process to be re-selected, with the move giving extra time to players brought from international regions or other sports who have had less time to develop at lower levels due to the impact of the pandemic.
    Click to expand...
    AFL confirms 2022 list sizes, tweaks rule for rookies


    Club List Management
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    • Total Player Payments (TPP) Limit, aka the Salary Cap
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    • #6
    Total Player Payments Limit aka Salary Cap

    Total Player Payments (TPP) also known as a “salary cap” is the limit on the amount of money that AFL Clubs can spend paying their players.

    Year2019202020212022
    TPP Limit​
    		12,758,09513,013,25713,273,52213,538,993
    Source: Schedule B, CBA 2017-2022

    It does not generally include payments made to rookies, including upgraded rookies.

    Each AFL club must spend at least 95% of the Total Player Payments limit each year.

    Clubs may spend over 100% of the combined total of the TPP and Additional Services Agreement limit, but this overspending is tied to the amount of cap space the club club has saved in the preceding three years.

    For every $1 they have underspent in the preceding 3 years, they can overspend by the same amount up to a hard limit of 105% of the Combined Limit.


    Additional Services Agreements

    Players may be paid for promotional activities with their Club and/or Club Sponsor of the club in exchange for promoting the sponsors and/or club.

    These payments are governed by Additional Services Agreements, which must be lodged with the AFL within 28 days of signing.

    They are not included in the TPP but are under a separate cap.

    Year2019202020212022
    ASA Limit​
    		$1,125,983$1,159,763$1,194,555$1,230,392
    Source: Schedule B, CBA 2017-2022

    For more information about ASAs see Clause 11 & Schedule F of the CBA 2017-2022


    Independent Agreements

    Independent Agreements function similarly to Additional Services Agreements, but cover the commercial arrangements made independently between Players (or their Associates) and third parties.

    These third parties may be the sponsor of an AFL club or an associate of an AFL Club (other than a sponsor), but the arrangements must be made independently of the club and have no connection with the sponsor or associate’s relationship with the club.

    These agreements must be approved by AFL General Counsel and are not included in the TPP or ASA Limits.

    See more: CBA 2017-2022

    Salary Cap & Salaries
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    • Player Salaries
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    • #7
    Player Salaries

    Player salaries are set by the minimum terms and conditions in Schedule C of the CBA.

    There are minimum base salary and match payment obligations for first year, second year, rookie listed and primary listed players.

    Players taken with picks 1-5 in their draft year are also entitled to a bonus and are obligated to participate in promotional activities on behalf of the AFL. These bonuses are additional to the base salaries and match payments, and are not included in the TPP.

    The most recent information we have about what players were paid is from 2018, when the average salary was $362,471, and only 6 players earned more than 1 million dollars in that year.

    When all salaries for the entire league are graphed, it comes up as follows:
    mzD9JpPbXVYx8zekhM-UKiGOll9cLK7qs2Jg28SHk6Og-8bwXMUl-JntgTs7Een9FpAZj3PNMN5FhTZ_ExUD6jq-4OlR9h5MdDmgO9sZB1Wl-OlepaYtZGICauYQ9ICE8iCbOOzg

    For more discussion on this topic, see here:

    Resource - Contract end dates, free agents & other stats [live spreadsheets]

    Auto-updating contract and stats spreadsheet (Spreadsheet may take a few seconds to load up) Tayl0r and I have been working on this for a while now; a user-friendly, auto-updating contract and stats spreadsheet. In the first tab you will find a list of all players who are out of contract this...
    www.bigfooty.com


    Minimum salaries for first year players

    2020 & 2021 First Year Player Base Salary and Match Payments

    YearDraft ChoiceBase SalaryMatch Payments
    2020/211-20100,0004,000
    2020/2121-4090,0004,000
    2020/2141+ and pre-season draft85,0004,000

    Players will also receive a bonus for senior matches played:
    0 games: Nil
    1-5 games: $3,000
    6-10 games: $3,000
    11+ games: $6,000
    Max bonus: $12,000

    2022 First Year Player Base Salary and Match Payments

    YearDraft ChoiceBase SalaryMatch Payments
    20221-20105,0004,000
    202221-4095,0004,000
    202241+ and pre-season draft90,0004,000

    Players will also receive a bonus for senior matches played:
    0 games: Nil
    1-5 games: $3,000
    6-10 games: $3,000
    11+ games: $6,000
    Max bonus: $12,000

    Source: Schedule C (p. 67) CBA 2017-2022


    Minimum salaries for second year players

    2020 & 2021 Second Year Player

    Senior Matches Played in the Previous Year0-8 games
    Base Salary    		0-8 games
    Match Payment    		9-16 games
    Base Salary    		9-16 games
    Match Payment    		17+ games
    Base Salary    		17+ games
    Match Payment
    Pick 1-20​
    		105,0005,000115,0005,000135,0005,000
    Pick 21-40​
    		95,0005,000105,0005,000125,0005,000
    Pick 41+ and pre-season draft​
    		90,0005,000100,0005,000110,0005,000

    Players will also receive a bonus for senior matches played:
    0 games: Nil
    1-5 games: $3,000
    6-10 games: $3,000
    11-15 games: $6,000
    Max bonus: $12,000

    2022 Second Year Player

    Senior Matches Played in the Previous Year0-8 games
    Base Salary    		0-8 games
    Match Payment    		9-16 games
    Base Salary    		9-16 games
    Match Payment    		17+ games
    Base Salary    		17+ games
    Match Payment
    Pick 1-20110,0005,000120,0005,000140,0005,000
    Pick 21-40100,0005,000110,0005,000130,0005,000
    Pick 41+ and pre-season draft95,0005,000105,0005,000115,0005,000

    Players will also receive a bonus for senior matches played:
    0 games: Nil
    1-5 games: $3,000
    6-10 games: $3,000
    11-15 games: $6,000
    Max bonus: $12,000

    Source: Schedule C (pp. 69-70) CBA 2017-2022


    Minimum salaries for other primary listed players

    YearBase PaymentSenior Match Payment
    2020$110,000$5,000
    2021$110,000$5,000
    2022$115,000$5,000
    Source: Schedule C (p. 66) CBA 2017-2022


    Minimum salaries for rookies

    YearBase SalarySenior Match Payment
    2020$80,000$4,000
    2021$80,000$4,000
    2022$85,000$4,000

    Players will also receive a bonus for senior matches played:
    0 games: Nil
    1-5 games: $3,000
    6-10 games: $3,000
    11+ games: $6,000
    Max bonus: $12,000

    Source: Schedule C (p. 71) CBA 2017-2022

    Salary Cap & Salaries
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    • Trading Picks and Players
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    • #8
    Trading Picks and Players

    Consent
    Players must be given as much notice as possible if their club intends to trade them, and must give consent for a trade to happen.

    CBA 2017-2022 said:
    22.2 (a) No AFL Club shall exchange any Player unless the Player has been given as much notice as possible by the AFL Club of its intention to trade without any duress being applied by the AFL Club, its employees or agents to the player and the Player genuinely consents to the trade.
    Click to expand...


    Timing
    Trades must be completed during the trade period/s nominated by the AFL.

    AFL Rules 2021 said:
    9.1 (a) At any time determined by the AFL and subject to the other provisions of Rule 9, a Club may exchange with another Club or Clubs any combination of Primary List Player(s), Rookie List Player(s) and National Draft Selection(s).
    Click to expand...
    https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/do...3aff/AFL-Rules-effective-16-February-2021.pdf


    Limitations
    There are some limitations on the trades that clubs are allowed to do.

    Clubs may only trade draft picks from the current or following year’s national draft, and may not trade a pick back to the club they just got it from.

    Once a player has been traded they may not be traded again until the following year.

    Rookies must be included on the primary list of their destination club if they are traded.

    AFL Rules 2021 said:
    9.3 (a) A Club may only exchange a National Draft Selection or Selections to which it is entitled at either of the current year’s National Draft Selection Meeting or the following year’s National Draft Selection Meeting.

    9.5 A Club shall not be entitled to exchange a Player received in any exchange until the following year.

    9.7 (a) A Club may exchange a Draft selection which it has received from another Club, provided that the selection is not traded directly back to that Club.

    9.8 A Rookie List Player exchanged under Rule 9.1 must be included on the Primary List of the Club that the Player is exchanged to.
    Click to expand...
    https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/do...3aff/AFL-Rules-effective-16-February-2021.pdf


    Future Pick Trading

    Trading of future picks is further restricted by a Determination on Future Pick Trading from the AFL General Counsel. While we do not have access to this document, media reports suggest that there are two main components to these rules:
    1. Clubs may not trade out all of their picks in the following year’s draft. They may either trade out of the first round, or trade out of the subsequent rounds. If they trade back into the first round, they will again be allowed to trade picks from the subsequent rounds of the draft.

    2. Clubs must use two first round picks in the four national drafts prior to the current trade period. The penalty for not doing this is a ban on trading out any first round picks, unless another one is traded back in first.
    Discussion here

    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.
    Click to expand...

    https://www.afl.com.au/news/1185312/afl-player-movement-and-list-management-changes

    Live Trading during the National Draft

    As of 2018, trades may also be completed during the AFL National Draft. This is not explicitly covered in the AFL Rules or the CBA, but is likely to be detailed in a Determination made by AFL General Counsel (which we do not have access to).

    In 2018 the Sydney Swans made use of live trading to pick up an academy player in the draft, matching the bid using later picks and then trading back into the draft. This loophole is likely to be closed following a review of the live trading rules.

    Discussion here



    For those curious, Draft Guru also has a Trade Value Calculator here:
     
    Last edited by a moderator:
    • National, Pre-Season, Rookie and Mid-Season Rookie Drafts
    • Thread starter
    • Moderator
    • #9
    The Draft

    The AFL Draft is comprised of four drafts: the National Draft, the Pre-Season Draft, the Rookie Draft, and the Mid-Season Rookie Draft.

    Of the four, only the National Draft is compulsory, with clubs obliged to use three picks in this draft.

    AFL Rules 2021 said:
    6.2 (d) (i) At a National Draft Selection Meeting:
    (A) each Club shall exercise a minimum of 3 Draft selections (including selections forfeited under Rules 8.7, 10.11(a), 13.4(b), 14.4(d) and 15.8(b))
    Click to expand...

    BigFooty Draft Hub
    For all draft related discussion, please refer to our dedicated Draft Hub sub-board.

    There you will find discussion of the U19 Championships, Draft Profiles about specific prospects, discussion of academy players and father/sons, among many other topics.

    We also have our Draft Experts, Draft Watchers and Phantom Drafters who can give you an idea about almost any prospect in the upcoming draft.

    You may also like to check out the U18 AFL App for further information about draft prospects.


    Eligibility
    Players must be 18 years of age by the 31st of December in the relevant year in order to be eligible for the draft. They must not be bound to an AFL club, and must either be previously registered with the AFL or a recognised state, club or school competition.

    AFL Rules 2021 said:
    6.3 (a) A Player who has nominated in accordance with these Rules is eligible to be drafted if he also satisfies the following requirements:
    (i) the Player must have attained the age of 18 years or will attain the age of 18 years on or before the 31st day of December next following the date of drafting;​
    (ii) the Player must not be bound to an AFL Club;​
    (iii) if invited, the Player must attend the AFL Combine or such other AFL approved or organised test or evaluation, unless the AFL considers that there is a reasonable explanation for the Player’s non-attendance; and​
    (iv) the Player has:​
    (A) been previously registered with the AFL; or​
    (B) been registered continuously from the 1st day of June immediately preceding the National Draft Selection Meeting and has played at least one game in the season immediately preceding the National Draft Selection Meeting in the State league competition conducted by the WAFC or SANFL; or​
    (C) been registered continuously from or prior to the 1st day of June immediately preceding the National Draft Selection Meeting with any recognised club or school competition in Victoria (including without limitation the VFL, VAFA, VCFL and VMFL), Tasmania, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland or the Australian Capital Territory; or​
    (D) been a bona fide resident for the continuous period of 3 years preceding the National Draft Selection Meeting, in a country other than Australia.​
    Click to expand...


    Nominated Football Payments
    Players may specify their expected salary on their draft nomination form for a minimum period of two years, so long as they are not a first year draft choice player.

    AFL Rules 2021 said:
    6.3 (b) (i) Nominated Football Payments

    (A) A Player, (other than a first year draft choice Player or such a Player in his second year), may specify in the nomination lodged pursuant to Rule 6.2(c) the Football Payments which he will require if he is selected at a Draft Selection Meeting.​
    (B) By so specifying the Football Payments he will require, the Player shall be taken to have made an offer to the Club which selects him at a Draft Selection Meeting, to accept employment in return for the Football Payments so specified.​
    (C) The Club which selects a Player who has specified the Football Payments which he will require shall be deemed to have accepted the offer set out in (b) above.​
    (D) Immediately following the Draft Selection Meeting, the Player and the Club to whom (c) above applies, shall execute a Contract of Service providing for the Football Payments specified by the Player in accordance with (a) above.​
    (E) If a Player nominates his Football Payments he must do so for a minimum period of two years.​
    Click to expand...


    Draft Order
    All four drafts are structured in rounds, with teams taking turns to pick a player in reverse ladder order. As such, each round has 18 picks and begins with the 18th placed team picking first, followed by the 17th placed team, and then the 16th placed team, et cetera, until all clubs have a full roster in accordance with the rules determining Club List Sizes.

    The order of each draft may be altered through sanctions or at the determination of the AFL General Counsel. The National Draft is further altered through pick trading, the addition of priority and compensation picks, and live bidding on Father/Son and Academy players.

    The order of the 2021 National Draft is shown below, for discussion see here.



    Draft Sanctions
    In the past draft related sanctions have involved the complete forfeiture of draft picks.

    More recently sanctions have been handed out in the form of draft points, meaning that rather than forfeiting the pick altogether, the pick is devalued and moves down the draft order.


    Points Bidding System for Father-Son and Academy Players
    Father-son and Academy players enter the draft in the same manner as other eligible players.

    Any club may bid on these players, however the club that the player is attached to has the right to match any such bids if they choose to. Clubs are not obliged to match bids on their father-son or academy players.

    If the club chooses to match, their next available pick will be used to draft the player. If the next available pick is worth less than the discounted value required to match the bid, then the clubs’ other picks will be used to make up the difference. If necessary, clubs may go into deficit the following year in order to match the bid.

    "AFL rules state that clubs cannot match more than two first-round draft bids on academy prospects if they play finals in the same year." – Thanks to Bletch for the link: Marc McGowan, 2023. (The Age)

    "A club, too, is restricted to matching one first-round academy bid if it’s among the last four teams remaining in the finals." – Thanks to Bletch for the link: Ben Waterworth, 2023. (Fox Footy)

    edit: Further discussion around academy bid matching for finals teams here: Round 1 bid matching restrictions for finalists

    "The AFL has ruled that the number of selections a club holds going into the national draft must match the number of vacant spots on their primary list, meaning that clubs will no longer be able to activate "hidden picks" during the draft in order to access academy players." – Thanks to Ants for the link: Emma Quayle, 2016. (The Age)

    Each pick in the national draft has been assigned a point value. A discount of 20% is applied when matching a bid in the first round (18 picks) of the draft. Bids after this point will have a flat discount of 197 points applied.

    DyBAWNIdv5_-JXcwuXF10TfC5xwiyuKOGTXWcqYoEuemhZJ6kIRj5bBfYZOc_7nakaU0rDrS3s0KEXjkZK9Vza0mSyk3_C8PQDb2vCegVPTjepffDwblZVWP1Vm16MieFsZtpxOx


    From 2025 the points will be allocated thus:
    DVI2025.png
    https://mcusercontent.com/7cd32ad25.../00853ebd-ebff-a840-7be0-feba31347590/DVI.pdf

    Bidding system from 2025:
    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.
    Click to expand...
    https://www.afl.com.au/news/1185312/afl-player-movement-and-list-management-changes

    Surplus
    If a bid is placed on a player in the first round and another first round pick is used to match it. If the number of points in the matching pick is more than the points required to match the bid, these points will be saved, rather than being carried over to the club's next pick.

    Lions_Insider said:
    Also, further to this point posted late last week, hopefully the below (taken from the official AFL Bidding System Rule book issued to Club recruiters) serves as some clarification:

    Once the player has been “paid” for by the forfeiting of a single selection or multiple selections, there may be a surplus of points. With the exception of the circumstance set out below, those surplus points are converted to another selection in the current National Draft using the DVI.

    The exception to the above point is where a player is bid for at pick 18 or earlier and the Club’s next available selection is worth more points than the value that must be paid to acquire the player. In this case, the surplus points are not converted to a selection in the current National Draft, but are retained and used to offset any deficit arising at the conclusion of this National Draft or future National Drafts.
    Click to expand...


    Deficit
    If a club goes into deficit to match a bid on a father-son or academy player, the deficit is applied before the free agency/trade period the following year so that clubs can't avoid paying the deficit by trading the picks out. Once it's been applied that's it, it doesn't get reapplied on new picks you trade in.

    This source appears to be slightly out of date, as a deficit comes off the club's selection in the equivalent round of the following year (not the first pick).

    View attachment 759618
    Click to expand...
    Source: https://s.afl.com.au/staticfile/AFL Tenant/AFL/Files/Father-son-bidding-system.pdf

    For a more detailed explanation of the bidding and matching system, see the AFL article here or the Bidding Review PDF here.


    Games played by draftees (based on pick taken)

    Ever wondered how many games your draftee is likely to play? The chart below uses historical data to show the number of games played by players taken at various points in the draft.

    It was originally posted by ADL9798 here, who describes it as follows:

    Survival curve of every non-current player drafted from 1996 to 2016. Worth a quick read.

    45% of top 10 picks, and over 70% of players taken with picks 10-20, don’t make it past 100 games.
    Click to expand...

    Original source: Round 20 – the “survival function” of AFL draftees, and Port’s makeshift ruck

    386D7E25-7161-4F6F-AA6D-7928AEF2FE88.png


    Players signed directly outside the draft
    Some special classes of players may be signed with a club without going through the national draft. This includes Alternative Talent (Rule 11) and International Scholarship List players (Rule 13).

    Father-son and Academy players who nominate for the national draft but who are not selected, may also be pre-selected as a rookie prior to the rookie draft.

    AFL Rules 2021 said:
    8.8 Father/Son Rookie Pre-Selection
    (a) Subject to Rule 8.8(b), where an eligible Father/Son Player has been nominated in accordance with Rule 8.4(b) and is not selected at a National Draft or Pre-Season Draft Selection Meeting, the Club with whom he is eligible as a Father/Son Player may include him on its Rookie List prior to the Rookie Draft Selection Meeting in accordance with Rule 10.4.​
    (b) Prior to the inclusion of a Player on its Rookie List under Rule 8.8(a), the Club must provide to the AFL written evidence of the Club’s and Player’s agreement to be listed as a Rookie. That agreement must specify that the Player can and will only be listed on the Club’s Rookie List if he is not selected by any Club at the National or Pre-Season Draft Selection Meeting.​

    14.4 (e) Club Academy Player Rookie Pre-Selection
    (i) Subject to Rule 14.4(e)(ii), where a Club Academy Player has been nominated in accordance with Rule 14.4(c) and is not selected at a National Draft or Pre-Season Draft Selection Meeting, the Club with whom he is eligible as a Club Academy Player may include him on its Rookie List prior to the Rookie Draft Selection Meeting in accordance with Rule 10.4.​
    (ii) By the date nominated by the AFL prior to the Pre-Season Draft Selection Meeting, the Club must provide to the AFL written evidence of the Club’s intention to list a Player under Rule 14.4(e)(i) if he is not selected by any Club at the Pre-Season Draft Selection Meeting using the form prescribed in Schedule 1 as Form 34A.​
    Click to expand...

    Pre-Season Supplemental Selection Period (SSP)
    In 2018 the AFL also introduced a pre-season supplemental selection period, allowing teams to sign players who had been on an AFL list before as a Category A Rookie between the start of December and the end of March each year.

    Teams must have a spot available on their rookie list in order to sign players through the SSP, which can be achieved by moving players who have retired earlier in the year or who have long term injuries onto the 'inactive list'. Players who are moved to the inactive list are not allowed to return to the primary list until the season has concluded.

    The AFL Rules still haven't been updated with the details of how the mechanism works, but some information was published on the website at the time:

    Any player delisted in a previous year qualifies to sign with any club in the SSP, but teams cannot cut a footballer then re-recruit them via this method in the same year.

    The only scenario where that could happen is if that player goes undrafted before the SSP.

    That means clubs still risk losing a player when they delist them with a promise to re-rookie them.

    What will likely become known as the Mumford rule allows the same luxury for a retired footballer and/or a player who delisted himself and has not been on an AFL list for at least one year.

    A player who retires cannot sign in the SSP in the same year unless they nominate and are overlooked in the drafts.
    Click to expand...

    Zac's back: Ex-Docker gets green light to join Essendon

    Ex-Docker free to join Bombers and Giant comeback a step closer
    www.afl.com.au


    Mid-Season Rookie Draft
    The mid-season draft was introduced in 2019 with the same eligibility criteria as the SSP. Players must be previously on an AFL list or nominated and gone undrafted at the previous national draft.

    They cannot go back to their former club within 12 months unless they've nominated for the national draft and gone undrafted.

    The mid-season draft occurs around the mid-point of the season and is conducted in reverse ladder order after approximately Round 11 or Round 12 (depending on the date of the draft). Teams must have a spot available on their rookie list in order to make selections at the mid-season draft. Trading of mid-season draft picks is currently not allowed.

    Eligible players include:
    • A Player who nominated for the most recent NAB AFL National Draft.
      Please note: A Player who nominated for and was not selected during the Draft and who committed for a further year as a 19-year-old Northern or NGA Academy Player is available to all Clubs should they nominate for the NAB AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft.

    • A Player who has previously been on the list of a Club (not required to nominate for the most recent Draft) refers to the following situations:

      A Delisted Player
      Please note: A Player delisted by a Club cannot be reselected in the NAB AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft by the same Club in the period immediately following their delisting unless they nominated for the most recent Draft.

      A Retired Player and/or a Player who has delisted himself and has not been on an AFL List for one year or more. For example, a player who retired in 2020 is not able to be selected in the 2021 NAB AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft.
    Players in their 18th year or younger are not eligible to be selected.

    Any player who does not meet the above criteria can be nominated by a representative of the AFL Talent Pathway, their AFLPA accredited agent or the player themselves and be considered for an exemption.

    State League Participation:

    Players who are selected in the 2021 Mid-Season Rookie Draft that stay in their original State are subject to the following:

    • They will not be permitted to play against their original Club unless otherwise agreed by all parties.
    • The player has the right to return to their original Club to participate in finals if their service is no longer required at their AFL Club.
    Click to expand...

    Mid-Season Draft: All the nominations, club selections confirmed

    The AFL has announced the final list of eligible players who have nominated for the 2021 NAB AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft
    www.afl.com.au
     
    Last edited by a moderator:
    • Father-son rule
    • Thread starter
    • Moderator
    • #11
    Father-son rule

    AFL Clubs have priority access to players whose father has played 100 VFL/AFL games for their club via the draft bidding system.

    For the Sydney Swans this includes games played under the South Melbourne brand, and for Brisbane Lions this includes games played for Fitzroy.

    AFL Rules 2021 said:
    8.1 Players Eligible – All Clubs
    Subject to Rule 8.4, a Club may include a person on its Primary List or Rookie List if the person’s father played 100 or more Senior Matches (being either Home and Away or Finals Series Matches) with the Club.

    8.3 NSW and Queensland Based Clubs
    A person is eligible to be included on the Primary List or Rookie List of:
    • (a) the Sydney Swans if his father satisfies the criteria under Rule 8.1 by playing for the South Melbourne Football Club (as it was then known); or
    • (b) the Brisbane Lions if his father satisfies the criteria under Rule 8.1 by playing for the Fitzroy Football Club (as it was then known).
    Click to expand...
    https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/do...3aff/AFL-Rules-effective-16-February-2021.pdf


    South Australian and West Australian father-sons
    In the case of clubs who joined the league more recently, there are further access rights that were granted as part of the nationalisation of the AFL.

    South Australian clubs have priority access to players whose father played at least 200 games for their affiliated SANFL clubs prior to the inclusion of their respective AFL clubs in the national competition.

    West Australian clubs likewise have priority access to players whose fathers played at least 150 games for their affiliated WAFL clubs prior to the inclusion of their respective AFL clubs in the national competition.

    AFL Rules 2021 said:
    8.2 Western Australian and South Australian Based Clubs
    (a) In addition to the rights conveyed under Rule 8.1;
    • (i) The West Coast Eagles Football Club may include a person on its Primary List if that person’s father played 150 Senior Matches (being either home and away or finals series matches) at one of the following clubs prior to, but not including, 1987:
      • (A) Claremont Football Club;
      • (B) East Perth Football Club;
      • (C) West Perth Football Club; or
      • (D) Subiaco Football Club.
    • (ii) The Fremantle Football Club may include a person on its Primary List if that person’s father played 150 or more Senior Matches (being either home and away or finals series matches) at one of the following clubs prior to, but not including, 1995:
      • (A) South Fremantle Football Club;
      • (B) East Fremantle Football Club;
      • (C) Perth Football Club; or
      • (D) Swan Districts Football Club.
    • (iii) The Adelaide Football Club may include a person on its Primary List if that person’s father played 200 or more Senior Matches (being either home and away or finals series matches) at one of the following clubs prior to but not including, 1991:
      • (A) Norwood Football Club;
      • (B) Glenelg Football Club;
      • (C) Sturt Football Club; or
      • (D) South Adelaide Football Club.
    • (iv) The Port Adelaide Football Club may include a person on its Primary List if that person’s father played 200 or more Senior Matches (being either home and away or finals series matches) at one of the following clubs prior to, but not including, 1997:
      • (A) Port Magpies Football Club;
      • (B) Woodville Football Club;
      • (C) West Torrens Football Club;
      • (D) North Adelaide Football Club;
      • (E) Central Districts Football Club; or
      • (F) West Adelaide Football Club.
    Click to expand...
    https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/do...3aff/AFL-Rules-effective-16-February-2021.pdf


    When a player is eligible for two clubs as a father-son

    A player who is eligible to be drafted by two or more clubs as a result of the father-son rule must nominate his preferred club before the draft. That club will then have the right to match any bids that come for him.

    AFL Rules 2021 said:
    8.6 Where a Player is eligible to be included on the Primary List or Rookie List of more than one Club under this Father/Son Rule, the Player may be included on the List of either Club, according to the preference of the Player and the Determination for the national Draft Bidding System.
    Click to expand...
    https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/do...3aff/AFL-Rules-effective-16-February-2021.pdf


    For discussion about father/son prospects, see here.
     
    Last edited:
    • Academies
    • Thread starter
    • Moderator
    • #10
    Club Academies & Next Generation Academies

    Academies allow clubs to develop junior football talent in their respective zones, and provide clubs with priority access to any player developed in their academy through the draft bidding system.


    Eligibility for Club Academies
    For the four northern clubs (Brisbane Lions, Gold Coast FC, Sydney Swans and GWS Giants), eligibility of junior talent to join each club’s academy is determined by the age and home address of the player in question.

    Academy prospects must be between the ages of 10 and 18 on the 31st of December in the year that they are first included in the club’s academy.

    AFL Rules 2021 said:
    14.2 (a)
    (i) A Player is eligible to be included in a Club Academy only if the Player satisfies the age requirements under Rule 14.2(b) (subject to Rule 14.8) and, unless determined otherwise by the AFL, the Player is domiciled in that Club’s Academy Region.​
    (ii) Notwithstanding clause 14.2(a)(i), the AFL may direct a Club to include a Player in its Club Academy.​

    14.2 (b) Subject to Rule 14.8, a Player must satisfy the following age requirements in order to be included in a Club’s Academy:
    (i) A Player must have attained the age of 10 years or will attain the age of 10 years on or before 31 December in the Football Year that they are first included in the Club Academy.​
    (ii) A Player must be under the age of 18 years as at 31 December in the Football Year that they are included in a Club Academy except as provided by Rule 14.8.​
    Click to expand...
    https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/do...3aff/AFL-Rules-effective-16-February-2021.pdf

    To maintain eligibility the player must continue to reside within the club’s zone and be registered to play in an Australian rules football competition within that zone.

    AFL Rules 2021 said:
    14.6 Unless otherwise determined by the AFL, a Player included in a Club Academy must:
    (a) remain domiciled in that Club’s Academy Region; and​
    (b) be registered and play in an Australian football competition located in the Academy Region; and​
    (c) if selected, represent either New South Wales or Queensland, as the case may be, at any underage national football championships; and​
    (d) attend Player screening/testing as directed by the AFL.​
    Click to expand...
    https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/do...3aff/AFL-Rules-effective-16-February-2021.pdf


    Eligibility for Next Generation Academies (NGA)
    All clubs may also establish a ‘Next Generation Academy’ to develop junior football talent within their zone. It should be noted that clubs only get priority access to those players deemed to be “Qualified NGA Players”, however.

    While all players between the ages of 10 and 15 years old who live in the club’s zone can be included in the NGA, eligibility for inclusion beyond age 15 years up until 18 years old is limited to Qualified NGA Players.

    AFL Rules 2021 said:
    15.2 (b) A person must satisfy the following age requirements in order to be included in a Club’s Next Generation Academy in a Football Year:
    (i) a person must attain the age of 10 years on or before 31 December in the relevant Football Year; and​
    (ii) unless the person is a Qualified NGA Player, a person must be under the age of 15 years as at 31 December of the relevant Football Year;​
    (iii) in the case of a Qualified NGA Player, a person must be under the age of 18 years as at 31 December of the relevant Football Year – except as provided by Rule 15.9.​
    Click to expand...
    https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/do...3aff/AFL-Rules-effective-16-February-2021.pdf

    Qualified NGA Players include Indigenous players, players who were born in Africa, Asia or a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) country, and players who have a biological parent who was born in either Africa, Asia or a CALD country.

    Qualified NGA Players may only join the NGA of one club, and must continue to live within the club’s zone to stay in the NGA.

    Qualified NGA Players must also have played at least 10 games in the relevant underage competition in their state and has never been registered in the AFL.

    AFL Rules 2021 said:
    15.8 (a) For the purposes of this Rule 15, a Qualified NGA Player means a NGA Player who:
    (i) was born in Africa or Asia; or​
    (ii) has a biological parent who was born in Africa or Asia; or​
    (iii) is an Indigenous Person; or​
    (iv) is a CALD NGA Player, and:​
    (v) has not at any time been registered with AFL as a Player with any Club;​
    (vi) unless otherwise permitted by AFL, has not entered into a Next Generation Academy Agreement with a Club other than the Club seeking approval of that NGA Player as a Qualified NGA Player under Rule 15.8(d)15.8(d);​
    (vii) unless otherwise permitted by AFL, has been and continues to be domiciled in the relevant part of the Club’s NGA Region from the period after he first entered into a Next Generation Academy Agreement with the relevant Club;​
    (viii) unless otherwise permitted by AFL, has participated in at least 10 matches in the TAC Cup competition, SANFL under 18s Macca’s Cup competition, WAFL under 19s Colts competition or the underage national Australian football championships conducted under the auspices of AFL; and​
    (ix) is approved in writing by General Counsel under Rule 15.8(d).​
    Click to expand...
    https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/do...3aff/AFL-Rules-effective-16-February-2021.pdf


    Zones

    Queensland Zones - Brisbane and Gold Coast

    Screen Shot 2021-08-16 at 16.59.06.png
    Screen Shot 2021-08-16 at 17.06.15.png

    New South Wales Zones - Sydney and GWS

    Screen Shot 2021-08-16 at 16.54.54.png
    Screen Shot 2021-08-16 at 16.58.10.png

    South Australian Zones - Port Adelaide & Adelaide

    Screen Shot 2021-08-16 at 17.01.44.png

    Western Australia Zones - Fremantle & West Coast

    Screen Shot 2021-08-16 at 17.02.46.png

    Tasmania Zones - North Melbourne

    Screen Shot 2021-08-16 at 17.07.25.png

    Northern Territory Zones - Essendon, Geelong, Hawthorn, Collingwood, Melbourne

    Screen Shot 2021-08-16 at 17.09.51.png

    Victorian Zones - Richmond, Western Bulldogs, Geelong, Essendon, Hawthorn, North Melbourne, Carlton, Collingwood, St Kilda, Melbourne

    Screen Shot 2021-08-16 at 17.10.47.png

    Source: https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/do...3aff/AFL-Rules-effective-16-February-2021.pdf

    Discussion here:

    News - AFL reviewing northern and multicultural academies

    AFL reviewing the way that academies work, how players are tied to clubs and the price that clubs pay to draft them. https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/afl-reviewing-northern-and-multicultural-academies-20190228-p510zv.html The review - which AFL sources said would be "open-ended" - follows...
    www.bigfooty.com
     
    Last edited:
    • Free Agency
    • Free Agency

    Who is a free agent?

    A player who is out of contract and has served eight years on the primary and/or rookie list will be a free agent (either restricted or unrestricted, see below).
    CBA 2017-2022 said:
    1.1 Free Agents
    (a) Unless a Player is a Restricted Free Agent, a Player who:
    (i) is party to a Contract of Service with a Club that expires on or prior to 31 October in a particular year (relevant year); and​
    (ii) prior to or upon the expiration of the Contract of Service referred to in Rule 1.1(a)(i), has been on that Club’s Primary and/or Rookie List for eight or more consecutive AFL Seasons,​
    (b) will be a Free Agent in the relevant year.
    Click to expand...
    Source: Annexure D, CBA 2017-2022

    Delisted Free Agent
    A player who is delisted by the club that year will be a free agent, this applies for primary listed and rookie listed players not offered contracts for the following year.
    CBA 2017-2022 said:
    1.1 Free Agents
    (c) A Player who:
    (i) is on the Primary List of a Club; and​
    (ii) subject to Rule 1.1(e), is removed from the Primary List by that Club on or before the final list lodgement date in a particular year (relevant year);​
    (d) will be a Free Agent in the relevant year.

    (f) A Player who:
    (i) is a Rookie Player in a particular year (relevant year); and​
    (ii) subject to Rule 1.1(h), has not received an offer from his Current Club to enter into a Contract of Service for a further period of one year,​
    (g) will be a Free Agent in the relevant year.
    Click to expand...
    Source: Annexure D, CBA 2017-2022

    Rookie listed players who have served two years and choose not to accept the offer of a third season will be free agents
    CBA 2017-2022 said:
    1.1 (h) A Player who is a second year Rookie Player and receives an offer from his Current Club to be retained as a third year Rookie Player but does not accept that offer will be a Free Agent in the relevant year.
    Click to expand...
    Source: Annexure D, CBA 2017-2022

    Restricted and Unrestricted Free Agents

    If a players guaranteed payments places them within the top 25% of players on the primary list (top 10 for clubs with 40 players, top 9 for clubs with less than 40 players on their primary list) AND the player has not come out of contract previously as a free agent AND the player has served eight years then the player will be a Restricted Free Agent.

    If the player is not in the top 25% of players paid that year OR the player has served ten years or more OR the player has previously come out of contract as a free agent then the player will be considered an Unrestricted Free Agent.

    1.2 (a) Subject to Rule 1.2(b), a Player who:
    (i) otherwise meets the criteria under Rule 1.1 (a) in a particular year (relevant year); and​
    (ii) as at the date determined by the AFL under Rule 1.3 (relevant date), is entitled to Guaranteed Payments for the relevant year that places that Player:​
    (A) where a Club has 40 Players on its Primary List as at the relevant date, within the top 10 ranked Players on the Club’s Primary List; or​
    (B) where a Club has less than 40 Players on its Primary List as at the relevant date, within the top 9 ranked Players on the Club’s Primary List;​
    (C) in respect of Guaranteed Payments for the relevant year, such rankings to be determined by the AFL, will be a Restricted Free Agent in the relevant year.​

    1.2 (b) A Player who meets the criteria under Rule 1.2(a) will not be a Restricted Free Agent, and will be a Free Agent, in a particular year where both of the following apply:
    (i) his Contract of Service expires on or before 31 October in a particular year being equal to or greater than his tenth consecutive year as a Player on the Primary and/or Rookie List of the Player’s Current Club; and​
    (ii) he has already entered into a new Contract of Service with his Current Club once following 1 March in his eighth consecutive AFL Season on the Primary and/or Rookie List of that Club.​
    Click to expand...
    Source: Annexure D, CBA 2017-2022

    Handy infographic by the AFLPA:
    Screen Shot 2021-08-16 at 17.19.24.png
    Source: https://www.aflplayers.com.au/app/uploads/2019/10/FreeAgency_Explained_2019-002.pdf
     
    Last edited by a moderator:
    • Movement of Free Agents
    • Movement of Free Agents
    In all cases a player may sign a power of attorney allowing a representative to enter into an agreement with a club on behalf of the player.

    Unrestricted/Delisted Free Agents
    Delisted Free Agents and Unrestricted Free Agents are able to be signed to the primary list of a new club by filling Form 42 with the AFL within the free agency and delisted free agency periods that open at the end of the year.

    Source: Annexure D 1.4, CBA 2017-2022

    Restricted Free Agents
    Restricted free agent movement are a minimum of two year deals.

    Where a player wishes to move as a Restricted Free Agent, the new club submits a Form 41 to the AFL within the Free Agency Period. The AFL then provides a copy of the offer to the current club.

    The current club then has 3 days to match the offer. If the current club does not match the offer within the three day window the player and the new club must enter a new Contract of Service with the offer terms.

    Matching the offer entails matching the contract length, base payments, total match payment rates, total additional service agreement payments (this is third party deals) and total individual performance bonuses based on AFL awards/honours, club B&F placement, matches played but excluding team performance. The AFL then provides a copy of the matched offer to the player.

    If the player wishes to participate in the AFL the following season they may either; sign a Contract of Service with the current club with the terms of the matched offer, nominate for the draft, or request a trade.

    A player can sign a contract with the current club different to the terms of the offer, even if the AFL has received the offer from the new club during the 3 day offer period.

    CBA 2017-2022 said:
    1.5 (k) Where:
    (i) a Restricted Free Agent’s Current Club does not match the terms of the Offerin accordance with the process and within the time period prescribed by Rule 1.5(g), and​
    (ii) the Restricted Free Agent and his Current Club, have not agreed to enter into a Contract of Service on different terms to the Offer within three days of the Current Club receiving the Offer from the AFL,​
    (l) the relevant Player and the Offering Club must promptly enter into a Contract of Service in accordance with the terms of the Offer and lodge documents with the AFL in accordance with the AFL Rules.​
    ​
    1.5 (e) The Restricted Free Agent’s Current Club has the right to match the proposedcontract, arrangement, agreement or understanding in respect of the Restricted Free Agent on identical terms to the Offer in relation to each of:
    (i) contract length;
    (ii) base payments;
    (iii) total match payment rates;
    (iv) total Additional Services agreement payments; and
    (v) total performance incentives based on AFL awards or honours, Club best and fairest finish and matches played, but excluding Finals.

    1.5 (f) For the avoidance of doubt, incentive payments for team performance are not required to be matched by the Current Club.

    1.5 (i) Where a Restricted Free Agent’s Current Club matches the Offer and the Playerwishes to participate in the AFL Competition in the following year, the Restricted Free Agent must either:
    (i) enter into a Contract of Service in accordance with the Matching Offer with his Current Club within 7 days of the provision of notice of the Matching Offer to the restricted Free Agent under Rule 1.5(g); or​
    (ii) nominate for the Draft (unless the Player is part of an exchange under the AFL Rules.​

    1.5 (m) Nothing in this Rule 1.5 prevents a Restricted Free Agent’s Current Club making an offer, or a Restricted Free Agent accepting an offer from his Current Club, in relation to a Player’s services on different terms to the Offer within three days of theCurrent Club receiving the Offer from the AFL.
    Click to expand...
    Source: Annexure D, CBA 2017-2022
     
    Last edited by a moderator:

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    Free Agency Compensation Historical Examples
    • Thread starter
    • Moderator
    • #15
    Historical Examples of Free Agent Compensation

    Per The Age's article above, compensation is calculated by:
    1. Ranking all players over 25 on their base salary that year. The highest paid is allocated 100 points, and the lowest is allocated 0 points. Contract length is a tie breaker.
    2. 2 additional points are added for every year of age under 31, to a maximum of 112 points for a very well-paid 25 year old. Players are re-ranked based on total points.
    3. Players are then placed into bands (e.g. top 5%, 6-10%), with compensation awarded accordingly for those who change clubs.
    As a result of this system, the exact value of the highest paid player's wages will differ from year to year, and CBA to CBA, as will the lowest and highest paid players in each band.

    Top 5% = Band 1 Compensation, a 1st round pick (directly after the club's original pick in the first round).

    5-15% = Band 2 Compensation, end of 1st round pick (directly after the completion of the first round of the draft, in reverse ladder order among those with end of 1st round picks).

    15-30% = Band 3 Compensation, 2nd round pick (directly after the club's original pick in the second round).
    • Brad Crouch RFA to St Kilda (2020) – Contract reported to be worth around $600,000–$650,000 per year at the age of 26.
    • Aidan Corr RFA to North Melbourne (2020) – Contract reported to be worth around $550,000 per year, at the age of 26.
    • Brandon Ellis to Gold Coast (2019) – Considered to be the top edge of band 3 in 2019, the contract reported to be worth $600,000 per year at the age of 26.
    • Luke Dahlhaus to Geelong (2018) – Contract reported to be worth around $500,000 per year, at the age of 26.
    • Jackson Trengove RFA to Western Bulldogs (2017) – Contract reported to be worth $500,000–$550,000, at the age of 26.
    • Tyrone Vickery to Hawthorn (2016)
    • Daniel Wells to Collingwood (2016) - Contract reported to be worth $500,000 per year at the age of 31.
    • Christopher Mayne to Collingwood (2016)
    • Scott Selwood to Geelong (2015) – 4 years at Geelong without re-signing but contract details unclear. Age of 25.
    • Shaun Higgins to North Melbourne (2014) - Reportedly a 2 year deal at the age of 25.
    • Nick Malceski to Gold Coast (2014) - Reportedly a 3 year deal at the age of 30.
    • Colin Sylvia to Fremantle (2013) - Reportedly a 3 year deal at the age of 27.
    • Nick Dal Santo to North Melbourne (2013) - Reportedly a 3 year deal at the age of 29.
    • Danyle Pearce to Fremantle (2012) - Reportedly a 2 year deal at the age of 26.
    • Troy Chaplin to Richmond (2012) - Reportedly a 4 year deal at the age of 26.

    30-50% Band 4 Compensation = end of 2nd round pick (directly after the completion of the second round of the draft).
    • George Hewett (2021) – Reportedly a four year deal at the age of 25.
    • Mabior Chol to Gold Coast (2021) – Reportedly a four year deal at the age of 24.
    • Rory Atkins UFA to Gold Coast (2020) - Reportedly a five year deal worth $400,000 per year at the age of 26.
    • Adam Tomlinson to Melbourne (2019) - Reportedly a four year deal at the age of 26.
    • Reece Conca to Fremantle (2018) - Reportedly a three year deal at the age of 26.
    • Matthew Leuenberger RFA to Essendon (2015) - Reportedly a three year deal at the age of 27.
    • Matthew Suckling to Western Bulldogs (2015)

    50-??% = Band 5 Compensation, 3rd round pick (directly after the club's original pick in the third round).
    • Jake Kelly to Essendon (2021) – Reportedly a three year deal at the age of 26.
    • Isaac Smith UFA to Geelong (2020)
    • Cameron Ellis-Yolmen to Brisbane (2019)
    • Alex Fasolo to Carlton (2018)
    • Quinten Lynch to Collingwood (2012)
    • Brent Moloney to Brisbane (2012)
    • Jared Rivers to Geelong (2012)
    • Clinton Young to Collingwood (2012)
     
    Last edited:
    • Free Agency Compensation Bands
    • Free Agent Compensation Bands
    Compensation for Restricted and Unrestricted Free Agents is determined according to the mechanism quoted below.

    Clubs are not entitled to compensation for the loss of a Delisted Free Agent.

    CBA 2017-2022 said:
    1.6 Compensation
    (a) Where in a particular year one or more Free Agent(s) under Rule 1.1(a) and Rule 1.2(b) and/or Restricted Free Agent(s) move from a Club’s Playing List (the first mentioned Club) to the Playing List of one or more other Clubs pursuant to the operation of Rule 1.4 or 1.5, the first mentioned Club may be entitled to a compensatory selection(s) in the next occurring National Draft Selection Meeting as follows:
    (i) any compensatory selection(s) shall be allocated in accordance with guidelines determined by the AFL;​
    (ii) National Draft Selections will be allocated to one of five places:​
    (A) First round;​
    (B) End of First Round;​
    (C) Second Round;​
    (D) End of Second Round;​
    (E) Third Round;​
    (iii) a National Draft Selection allocated under Rule 1.6(a)(ii)(A), (C) or (E) shall be taken by the Club immediately after the Club’s selection in that Round (as determined by the AFL Rules);​

    (b) For the avoidance of doubt, any entitlement to a compensatory selection:
    (i) may be exchanged in accordance with the AFL Rules;​
    (ii) cannot be utilised pursuant to the Father/Son rule; and​
    (iii) cannot be utilised pursuant to the Listing of Club Academy Player.​
    Click to expand...
    Source: Annexure D, CBA 2017-2022

    The Age also has also published a comprehensive piece regarding how compensation is determined, which you can view here:

    The AFL's secret formula for free agency compensation

    Length of contract is largely irrelevant, but a one-year age gap can make a big difference.
    www.theage.com.au

    Suma Magic has also done a breakdown of the formula here.

    From 2024 the points system by which banding is calculated will include bonus points for length of contract:
    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).
    Click to expand...
    https://www.afl.com.au/news/1185312/afl-player-movement-and-list-management-changes

    Historical examples for each compensation band with reported contract values are in the post below.
     
    Last edited:
    • Free Agency Compensation Formula
    • If this needs to be moved then all good.

    I have taken the compo formula as outlined in an article by Jake Niall a couple of years ago.

    It says:
    • all players 25+ are ranked by salary
    • they then get a score of 0-100
    • they then add points for age: 25 (12), 26 (10), 27 (8), 28 (6), 29 (4), 30 (2), 31+ (0)
    • this gives all players a score between 0-112
    • these scores are then used to work out the players with the x% highest scores to see who fits into bands
    • the bands are Band 1 (0-5%), band 2 (5-15%), band 3 (15-30%), band 4 (30-50%) and band 5 (50-?%). They didnt specify when band 5 cuts off and no compo is paid.

    For the output below I assumed that there is an even number of players aged 25-31+. This probably isn't right, and could always re-do it with better data.

    It means you can look at a player, knowing his age, and you can see what sort of salary they need to qualify for each compo band. This still means you have to guess their salary compared to other players aged 25+, but I suppose it is a step forward from the current guessing approach.

    Interested in any feedback e.g. if I've made mistakes or just generally.

    fdsasfdasdaffff.JPG
     
    • Draft Resource Threads 2020
    • Thread starter
    • Moderator
    • #48
    • 2021 List Sizes
    • Thread starter
    • Moderator
    • #61
    edit: Original list sizes post has also been updated with 2021 info.

    Change in List Size Numbers

    20202021
    Total List Sizes38-4737-44
    Primary List38-4036-38
    Category A Rookies0-60-6
    Category B Rookies0-30-2

    CURRENT AFL players will be asked to take a pay cut of around 3.5 per cent as part of wider cuts communicated on Wednesday.

    It comes as the total salary cap – including the additional services agreements (ASA) – will be slashed by nine per cent next season from around $14.5m to $13.1m.

    However, the reduction in list sizes, decrease for first-year players' salaries and ability to shift money into future years will consume much of the difference for current contracted players.

    Players will be briefed later this week after their agents and key stakeholders were informed of the moves on Wednesday.

    While a vote will be held to ratify the changes, it is expected to go through unopposed.

    The changes are only in place for the 2021 season, with 2022 expected to revert to normal in what is the final season of the existing Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

    Players contracted beyond 2021 will have the opportunity to push up to five per cent of their salary into 2022 and 2023.

    Those who re-signed after the AFL's pay freeze was lifted in July won't be required to take a cut unless it was agreed upon in their latest deal.

    Players had been bracing of a cut around 10-15 per cent this year after taking a 29.2 per cent decrease on 2020 wages due to COVID-19.

    The nine per cent reduction is only minimal compared to the football department spending which has been slashed from more than $9 million in 2020 to a little over $6 million next season.

    The maximum list size for next year have been reduced from 47 to 44 which includes the ability to list up to two Category B rookies.

    The minimum list size for each club will be 37, which can be made up by as little as 36 senior listed players and one rookie.

    To reach 44, clubs can carry 36-38 senior listed players, four-to-six Category A rookies and two Category B rookies.
    Click to expand...

    New AFL player pay deal reached, list sizes revealed

    Players will be asked to take a pay cut of 3.5 per cent in 2021
    www.afl.com.au
     
    Last edited:

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