The AFL today advised both the Richmond Football Club and the West Coast Eagles Football Club they would each be provided with competition assistance, after making an application to the AFLW List Committee under AFLW Rules 4.8 (Special Assistance).
Both football clubs provided an update on their expansion list build to the AFLW List Committee earlier this month where they requested Special Assistance, as per AFLW Rules, to enable them to deliver upon their football strategy.
The AFLW List Committee determined the Richmond Football Club and the West Coast Eagles Football Club will receive the following assistance package as an extension of the expansion list rules provided in 2019:
Richmond Football Club
- An additional draft selection at the end of the First Round of the 2020 NAB AFLW Draft, selection number 15, that must be on-traded to bring in ready-made talent.
- This pick can be combined with other selections and/or player/s, however, cannot be used in a scenario that brings another selection back to the Club.
West Coast Eagles Football Club
- An additional draft selection at the end of the First Round of the 2020 NAB AFLW Draft, selection number 16, that must be on-traded to bring in ready-made talent
- This pick can be combined with other selections and/or player/s, however, cannot be used in a scenario that brings another selection back to the Club.
The AFLW List Committee, led by Andrew Dillon (AFL General Counsel) and Steve Hocking (AFL General Manager Football Operations), said the assistance was critical to providing additional support after a challenging first season both clubs faced in the 2020 NAB AFL Women’s Competition.
“After a detailed assessment of the list challenges facing the two clubs, their opportunities for improvement and an examination of how their respective issues can be addressed, the decision was made to provide Special Assistance,” Mr. Dillon said.
“There is no doubt both Clubs had challenges building a competitive list in the first year of participation in the competition and it is to the benefit of the entire competition that they are competitive.
“AFLW fans want a strong and even competition, and while the endeavour and intent can’t be faulted by either club, there have been list build challenges that have impacted the on-field competitiveness of each team.”
The Special Assistance rule for the AFLW List Committee decision-making reads as follows:
4.8 - Special Assistance
(a) The AFLW List Committee, with the approval of the AFL General Counsel, may determine in its absolute discretion that a Club is entitled to special assistance, either in the form of Draft selections or list concessions, ahead of the next occurring AFLW Draft.
(b) The AFLW List Committee will exercise its discretion in granting any special assistance only in exceptional circumstances, considering the recent on field performance of the AFLW Club the subject of the proposed special assistance and any other matter the AFLW List Committee regards relevant.
2020 NAB AFL Women’s Draft Order
Please find below the official selection order for the 2020 NAB AFL Women’s Draft.
2020 NAB AFL WOMEN’S DRAFT ORDER
FIRST ROUND
1 Richmond
2 West Coast Eagles
3 Western Bulldogs
4 Adelaide Crows
5 Geelong Cats
6 St Kilda
7 Gold Coast SUNS
8 Brisbane Lions
9 GWS GIANTS
10 Collingwood
11 Melbourne
12 Carlton
13 North Melbourne
14 Fremantle
15 Richmond
16 West Coast Eagles
SECOND ROUND
17 Richmond
18 West Coast Eagles
19 Western Bulldogs
20 Adelaide Crows
21 Geelong Cats
22 St Kilda
23 Gold Coast SUNS
24 Brisbane Lions
25 GWS GIANTS
26 Collingwood
27 Melbourne
28 Carlton
29 North Melbourne
30 Fremantle
THIRD ROUND
31 Richmond
32 West Coast Eagles
33 Western Bulldogs
34 Adelaide Crows
35 Geelong Cats
36 St Kilda
37 Gold Coast SUNS
38 Brisbane Lions
39 GWS GIANTS
40 Collingwood
41 Melbourne
42 Carlton
43 North Melbourne
44 Fremantle
Additional selections will be added through the list lodgment process.
2020 AFL Women’s Sign and Trade Period
As a reminder to all media, the AFL Women’s Sign and Trade Period is scheduled to commence on Monday August 3, 2020.
During this period, Clubs will be permitted to sign up to 27 players, including rookie players. Rookie players in the AFL Women’s Competition are those that have not been listed with any Australian football team for the past three years.
Clubs have been informed they are not permitted to enter into any contracts or make any commitments to players until the commencement of the Sign and Trade Period.
The AFL continues to work on a range of matters relating to the off-season and preparation for the 2021 NAB AFL Women’s Competition that will involve all 14 AFLW teams.
Key dates for the 2020 AFLW Sign and Trade Period:
Monday August 3
AFLW Sign & Trade Period commences (12pm)
Wednesday August 12
Trade period closes (2pm) AFLW List Lodgement # 1 (4pm)
Monday August 17
Re-signing and Restricted Free Agent period closes (2pm) AFLW List Lodgement # 2 (4pm)
Friday August 21
Delisted Free Agent period closes (2pm) AFLW List Lodgement # 3 (4pm)
AFLW Draft order confirmed
Please note: While the situation relating to COVID-19 remains a challenge for the entire football industry, the AFL advises these dates are subject to change.
