The AFL has today announced that the 2024 Telstra AFLW Draft will transition to a fully national model, with all nominees available to be selected by any of the 18 clubs. 

The transition will occur at the next Telstra AFLW Draft in December ahead of the 2025 NAB AFLW Season, which coincides with a 20% increase in remuneration for AFLW draftees under the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

As part of the on-going Competitive Balance Review, clubs provided feedback that the NAB AFLW competition should move towards a fully national Telstra AFLW Draft to achieve a fairer and more equitable player access mechanism. 

In 2023, the AFL devised an opt-in model, where almost 70 per cent of draft nominees entered the ‘national draft pool’, meaning they could be drafted by any club and not just their home-state clubs. 12 of the top 16 selections opted for the national pool.

The change was endorsed at Tuesday’s AFL Commission meeting following support from the AFL Players Association and the AFLW Competition Committee.

The 2024 Telstra AFLW Draft will also see the introduction of minimum two-year contracts for new draftees, providing greater security for players in the initial stages of their career.

AFL Executive General Manager Football Laura Kane said the move to a National Draft was an evolution for the AFLW and a major step towards greater competitive balance.

“As the league continues to evolve, we’re seeing more draftees willing to chase their football dreams by moving interstate,” Ms Kane said.

“An AFLW draftee from this year can earn up to $83,837 in salary and relocation allowances.

“This transition coincides with an increase of investment in talent pathways, meaning the players coming through the ranks are more prepared for elite-level footy than ever before.

“This will allow our rising stars to be more equally spread across the league, fast-tracking the improvement of developing sides and strengthening the competitive balance of the competition."