Preparations for the 2019 NAB AFLW Draft are well underway, with the Draft Combine set to take place in early October before the draft a few weeks later.

A summary of the key dates coming up and relevant information has been broken down below.

NAB AFLW Draft Combine

The NAB AFLW Draft Combine will be held in Melbourne between Tuesday 1 – Thursday 3 October. The AFL and AFLW Draft Combines will run concurrently in Melbourne and provide clubs with a formal opportunity to conduct player interviews, witness medical screenings and evaluate players during physical testing.

Player Nominations - Draft

All players wishing to be considered for selection are required to nominate for the 2019 AFLW Draft between Monday 2 – Friday 20 September.

Queensland Draft Pools

Following consultation between AFL Queensland, the Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast SUNS, and in acknowledgement of the current state-based format of the Draft, the following Queensland Draft Rules have been agreed between all parties and will be in place for at least the next three years (2019, 2020 and 2021 AFLW Drafts). These rules utilise current Club Academy zones to provide a clear pathway for players within those zones and therefore a return on investment for existing Club Academy programs.

Under the rules, three Draft Pools will be established in Queensland:

1. Queensland
2. Brisbane Lions Zone
3. Gold Coast SUNS Zone 

The Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast SUNS AFLW Academy zones will replicate those used in the male talent pathways. To nominate for Brisbane Lions or Gold Coast SUNS players must meet the following criteria:

• Be a member of respective club youth academy program (if a player moves from one region to another they need to live in the region for two years to be eligible).
• A club may retain a player in the club Academy who is aged over 18 years and under 19 years as at the 31^st day of December in the football year as approved by AFLQ.
• Open-age players that live in the respective Academy zone (Minimum requirement of 2 years residency within the zone).
• If a player relocates for study (university) their family home will be considered residential address (like current youth age rules where a player attends boarding school).

For 2019 only, Gold Coast SUNS Women’s Academy players will be eligible to nominate for the Gold Coast SUNS (irrespective of residency), Brisbane (based on residency requirements outlined above) or Queensland Zones.

Key Dates