The 2022 AFL draft will again be held across two nights but take place later in November this year to allow the AFLW to have the spotlight for the season seven grand finale.
The AFL sent a memo to clubs on Monday confirming the sign, trade period and draft dates for 2022.
The AFLW grand final will take place on the weekend of November 25-27 before the national draft will be held.
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Round 1 of the draft has been set for Monday November 28, with the rest of the selections to be held on Tuesday November 29. The pre-season and rookie drafts will then be held online the next day, starting at 3pm (AEST) on Wednesday November 30.
The AFL exchange period will commence on Friday September 30 — six days after the AFL Grand Final — when the free agency window opens. The trade period will then kick off on Monday October 3, with players and picks up for grabs.
The free agency period will last one week, with no offers to be lodged past 5pm on Friday October 7. However clubs with offers pending have until Monday October 10 to match bids.
As per previous seasons, the trade period deadline will be on a Wednesday night (October 12, 7.30pm).
After a relatively quiet 2021 trade period, clubs are preparing for more movement this season.
Free agents Dan McStay (Brisbane) and Karl Amon (Port Adelaide) are set to move clubs, Melbourne Rising Star winner Luke Jackson is considering requesting a trade to Fremantle, the Giants face the prospect of losing several players — including Jacob Hopper and Tim Taranto — while ample intrigue surrounds Collingwood duo Jordan De Goey (free agent) and Brodie Grundy (contracted).
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Clubs will be able to sign delisted free agents across various windows in early November, while draft picks can be swapped after the trade period until Tuesday November 15. Picks can then be traded again during the two draft nights.
Sandringham Dragons midfielder Will Ashcroft is the early Pick 1 favourite. The ball magnet is linked to Brisbane under the father-son rule, meaning if the club with Pick 1 in the draft selected Ashcroft the Lions would have bidding rights — although he still has to nominate the Lions as his preferred destination.
Oakleigh Chargers duo George Wardlaw and Elijah Tsatas, Geelong Falcons co-captain Jhye Clark and dynamic Dragons forward Harry Sheezel are also highly rated by recruiters.
KEY DATES FOR THE 2022 AFL SIGN AND TRADE PERIOD (all times AEST/AEDT) …
Friday 30 September at 9.00am
AFL Restricted Free Agency and Unrestricted Free Agency Period commences
Monday 03 October at 9.00am
Continental Tires AFL Trade Period commences – Players & Selections
Friday 07 October at 5.00pm
Close of AFL Restricted Free Agency Offer and Unrestricted Free Agency Period.
Monday 10 October
NAB AFL Draft Nominations open (9am)
AFL Restricted Free Agency Matching Offer 3 Day Period Ends (5pm)
Wednesday 12 October at 7.30pm
Continental Tires AFL Trade Period closes – players and selections
Thursday 03 November at 9.00am
AFL Delisted Player Free Agency Period (1) commences
Wednesday 09 November at 5.00pm
AFL Delisted Player Free Agency Period (1) closes
Friday 11 November at 9.00am
AFL Delisted Player Free Agency Period (2) commences
Tuesday 15 November by 5.00pm
AFL Delisted Player Free Agency Period (2) closes
Continental Tires AFL Trade Period closes – selections only
Monday 21 November by 3.00pm
NAB AFL Draft Nominations close
Monday 28 November at 7.10pm
2022 NAB AFL Draft Round One (Venue TBC)
Father/Son, Academy & NGA and Players Bidding opens.
Tuesday 29 November
Continental Tires AFL Trade Period – selections only (5.45pm to 6.30pm)
2022 NAB AFL National Draft Round two until completion (7pm)
Rookie Upgrade Period opens (10pm)
AFL Delisted Player Free Agency Period (3) commences (10pm)
Rookie Upgrade Period closes (11pm)
AFL Delisted Player Free Agency Period (3) closes (11pm)
Wednesday 30 November
NAB AFL Pre-Season Draft (3pm, online)
NAB AFL Rookie Draft (3.20pm, online)
Thursday 01 December by 4.00pm
Final AFL Club List Lodgement
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