TASMANIA’S AFLW list build concessions have been revealed, with clubs informed on Wednesday of the Devils’ initial trade and draft mechanics. Set to enter the women’s competition in 2028, Tasmania will have exclusive access to local talent, on top of several draft handouts and unique free agency rules.

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DRAFT CONCESSIONS

Tasmania will have exclusive access to pre-list local talent, without having to match bids for the first four years of its existence. The AFL will review the mechanism after three years, with the Devils due to revert to the competition’s bidding system after five years.

Among the most significant news out of the club’s concessions was its access to five top-25 picks in its inaugural draft, including pick one. The Devils will also be afforded picks five, nine, 14, and 24 before entering the competition in 2028, along with the first pick in each subsequent round.

Year two will see Tasmania hold picks four and eight, with the remaining hand subject to AFL review. There will be no requirement to trade any selections over either intake. The Devils will also have up to four additional list spots across their first three years, widening their recruiting options.

On top of a likely brimming draft hand, Tasmania can also add to its list via access to players delisted from 2024 onwards, including currently listed players. The Devils will also have the rights to sign any player who has previously nominated for the draft and is not currently listed.

2027: Picks 1, 5, 9, 14, 24 + first pick of every subsequent round
2028: Picks 4 & 8 – subject to AFL review

EXPANSION FREE AGENCY

Perhaps the biggest sticking point in Tasmania’s list build concessions will be its free agency access. The Devils have the ability to sign up to 18 players as special free agents from rival clubs, with said players able to opt out of contracts in order to shift allegiances.

Boosting Tasmania’s lure factor will be a signing bonus pool of 33 per cent of the total player payment package. Measures for existing clubs to protect their contracted players will be put in place, based on a competitive balance overlay. So, better performing clubs stand for potentially more to lose.

Clubs will be allowed to protect a minimum of three, six or 12 of their players from expansion free agency. They could lose one, two, or four players at a time under the unique rules, which will allow Tasmania to attract established talent with AFLW experience and marquee legacies.

FULL CONCESSIONS LIST

List via Tasmania Devils FC

• Up to an additional four (4) list spots spread across years two and three before returning to industry standard by year four.
• Ability to sign up to 18 existing AFLW players via expansion free agency model wherein players could elect to opt out of their contract to take up an offer from Tasmania, subject to Club protections on contracted players, caps on player departures from Clubs and compensation for player losses, all with a competitive balance overlay.
  • Club Protections: Clubs may protect a standard number of six (6), maximum of twelve (12), minimum of three (3) players who are under contract through Tasmania’s entry – with a competitive balance overlay to determine protection numbers for each Club.
  • Club Losses: Clubs may not lose more than a standard number of two (2) players, maximum of four (4) players and minimum of one (1) player via this mechanism –with a competitive balance overlay to determine cap on losses for each Club.
• Access to a signing bonus pool of 33% of TPP in the year of entry, to be utilised to acquire talent for inaugural list build.
• Priority access to Tasmanian pathway players for four years before transitioning to a bidding system from year five onwards, with the AFL to review this mechanism after three years.
• Priority draft selections in inaugural year of picks #1, #5, #9, #14, #24 and the first selection of every subsequent round. Priority draft selections in year two of picks #4 and #8, with the provision of second year picks subject to AFL review.
• Rights to sign directly any player who has previously nominated for the Draft and is not currently listed.
• Expanded rights to access players delisted from the 2024 player movement period and on, including players who are currently listed.