The four newest AFLW clubs have been given an open licence to poach the best players from top clubs without a trade in a massive shake-up to the player movement market ahead of season eight of the competition.
While the new trade arrangements were locked in salaries are still being negotiated, but the top tier of AFLW players will be earning at least $71,000 next season, which could become a factor for battling clubs trying to lure stars.
Under the agreement confirmed on Monday, Essendon, Hawthorn, Port Adelaide and the Sydney Swans, who all played their first season in 2022, will be able to snare up to 13 players from other clubs between them before the official trade period begins on March 10.
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The Swans, who didn’t win a game, have been linked to Collingwood star Chloe Molloy and the ruling could pave the way for her to heard north.
Meanwhile the Power will be allowed to sign an underage player, who is then eligible to play during the season.
That player is expected to be Lauren Young, a prodigy who won the SANFLW best and fairest award at just 15 years old in 2021, and was South Australia’s MVP at the under-19 championships playing against some girls four years older than her.
She would otherwise be ineligible to play AFLW until 2024.
While the number of players a club can lose during the “priority signing period” has been capped, based on their finishing position post-finals last season, premiers Melbourne and the other top four clubs could feel the biggest impact and lose up to five players each.
While those clubs, which include the Brisbane Lions, Adelaide and North Melbourne, loom as targets for player raids, other finalists can lose up to two players.
Only one player from clubs outside the top eight able to be taken during the PSP.
But crucially for clubs, a player only qualifies as a PSP signing if they have played three or more seasons, meaning they can hold on to their best young talent, at least for now.
The priority signing period could help see an immediate up-shift in the performance of some of the bottom teams including the Swans and Port Adelaide, who won just a single game in their debut season.
Essendon won four games, finishing just outside the eight, while the Hawks won three, including their final two games.
Wile trades are not necessary during the PSP, the AFLW’s list committee will determine any relevant compensation, which could include draft picks ahead of the 2024 season.
Following the PSP there will be a 10-day “Sign and Trade Period” which will run from March 10-20.
PRIORITY SIGNING PERIOD WINNERS
Essendon can sign up to two players
Hawthorn can sign up to three players
Port Adelaide granted two extra list spots and can sign up to three players
Sydney granted three extra list spots and can sign up to five players
WHO CAN THEY SIGN ?
Clubs that finished 1st – 4th can lose no more than five players
Clubs that finished 5th – 8th can lose no more than two players
Clubs that finished 9th – 18th can lose no more than one player
