THE first phase of the AFL Women’s off-season is done and dusted with the 18 clubs now moving into the second phase, featuring the AFL Women’s Over-age Draft next month. The Priority Signing Period (PSP) which saw seven players change clubs, followed by the Trade Period which resulted in more moves across the clubs, is now over, with clubs focusing on both the draft and the delisted free agency period.

The delisted free agency period officially opened at 3pm today, and runs for the two days, with the close of business being 4pm on Thursday. That means clubs have 49 hours to select a player who has been delisted by a rival AFL Women’s club, rather than task a risk of them being available at their draft selection in the upcoming draft.

From there, clubs will focus their attention on the Over-age Draft which will take place on Tuesday, April 4. Aspiring AFL Women’s draft hopefuls have until Tuesday, March 28 at 5pm to make their intentions known whether they will choose to nominate for the draft. The AFL has allowed three rounds for the draft – which ultimately will depend on final list numbers – with clubs not necessarily taking the maximum picks.

As an example, Collingwood traded into the first round to have selections 13 and 14 which are the only two draft picks the Magpies will utilise at the draft, meaning pick 49 will ultimately be skipped. The rule of no minimum selections, provides clubs with greater freedoms to look at delisted free agents instead of overlooked AFLW Draft prospects if they wish.

The AFL Women’s Over-age Draft – officially known as the AFL Women’s Season Eight Supplementary Draft – will kick off with Geelong having the first selection thanks to trading the pick in from Sydney in exchange for midfielder, Laura Gardiner. Four clubs traded into the Top 10, with Fremantle (pick three via West Coast), Gold Coast (pick six via St Kilda) and Carlton (pick nine via Essendon) alls moving up the order.

The latter three clubs will all have two selections within the Top 10, while Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs also have two selections within the first round. Port Adelaide is the sole side to have three picks in the first round.

AFLW Season Eight Supplementary Draft order (post Sign and Trade)