AFL Women’s draft pick order announced after lottery

Clubs can only draft players who have nominated for their state, but the No.1 pick is still expected to be either a Victorian or a West Australian player the Giants have convinced to choose NSW as their new home.

Carlton secured pick No.3, which means the Blues have first look at the players who have nominated Victoria.

Melbourne Uni defender Nicola Stevens is believed to be in the Blues’ sights.

Melbourne drew pick No.8, which means they will have the last choice of Victorian players but the Demons have two picks in a row because the format of the draft sees the order reversed after the first eight picks.

Brisbane secured pick two, followed by Carlton, Fremantle, Western Bulldogs, Collingwood, Adelaide and then Melbourne.

“There’s definitely been some interest from interstate,” GWS coach Tim Schmidt said.

“There are players from Victoria who are potentially on the fringe and really want to get a shot at playing in this competition, so they might then choose to go interstate.”

About 30 of the top players from across the country have already been secured by clubs through marquee and priority signings. Clubs have also secured two rookies, who are players from outside traditional pathways.

Victorian clubs will have 19 picks each in the October 12 draft, with about 1000 players already nominated.

Victorian clubs have secured two marquee players and one priority pick, with each club to retain three places on their list to be filled in a “free agency” period from October 13-28.

This free agency period was designed in part for clubs to consider interstate players who were overlooked in the draft in their home state, but might be open to moving.

Pre-season starts on November 21 with the eight-week season to kick off in February with a fixture yet to be finalised.

Each team will play the other seven clubs, potentially leaving just a grand final following the home-and-away games.

The AFL Players Association and the AFL are still negotiating a pay deal.

The league’s initial offer of $5000 for the majority of players, $10,000 for pre-signings and a $15,000 playing contract for marquee players was rejected by the AFLPA.

Both parties have agreed on the $10,000 marketing fee for marquee players.

Nominations for the draft close on Friday, September 30.

AFL Women’s DRAFT ORDER

First round

1. GWS Giants

2. Brisbane Lions

3. Carlton

4. Fremantle

5. Western Bulldogs

6. Collingwood

7. Adelaide

8. Melbourne

Second round

9. Melbourne

10. Adelaide

11. Collingwood

12. Western Bulldogs

13. Fremantle

14. Carlton

15. Brisbane Lions

16. GWS Giants

Third round

17. GWS Giants

18. Brisbane Lions

19. Carlton

20. Fremantle

21. Western Bulldogs

22. Collingwood

23. Adelaide

24. Melbourne