How does the AFLW national draft work, and what order do clubs pick in?
Rule- Australia
- AFL
- AFLW
- Laws of the Game
- Draft
- All ages
- 2026
- Fans
Per the AFLW Draft Handbook for the 2025 draft (held 15 December 2025 at Marvel Stadium):
- There are two draft regions: National (all clubs) and International (only for players who normally live outside Australia).
- Draft order follows the reverse finishing order from the previous season, plus any compensation picks the AFL allocates.
- Each club must make at least two selections.
- A selected player is bound to the club that picks her.
- Father-daughter and Northern Academy (Brisbane, Gold Coast, GWS and Sydney) nominations are bid on during the draft. Clubs submitted those nomination forms to the AFL by Friday 12 December 2025.
The handbook covers the 2025 draft. The AFL had not published the 2026 draft handbook when this was written.
Source: AFLW Draft Handbook, afl.com.au/aflw/talent-pathways/draft/booklet.
Added 24 Oct 2026