The AFL and AFLPA have reached a heads of agreement (HOA) for the player movement period ahead of the 2023 AFLW Season. The agreement outlines the terms for a Priority Signing Period (PSP) and a Sign and Trade Period.
The PSP will take place from March 1st to March 8th and will allow the four AFLW expansion clubs – Essendon, Hawthorn, Port Adelaide, and the Sydney Swans – to sign players without a trade. The number of players each club can sign and lose is based on their Season Seven performance.
- Clubs that finished 1st – 4th: no more than five players able to be lost through PSP
- Clubs that finished 5th – 8th: no more than two players able to be lost through PSP
- Clubs that finished 9th – 18th: no more than one player able to be lost through PSP
The AFLW List Committee will determine relevant compensation for clubs at the end of the PSP.
The Sign and Trade Period will take place from March 10th to March 20th and clubs will pay players based on the existing CBA. Clubs will not be required to make a minimum number of list changes during this period.
- Tier 1 players will receive $71,935
- Tier 2 players will receive $55,559
- Tier 3 players will receive $47,372
- Tier 4 players will receive $39,184
The AFL and AFLPA are pleased with the agreement, which will provide players and clubs with certainty ahead of the next season of AFLW. The agreement will enable players and clubs to reach agreements and plan their return to training while broader CBA negotiations are ongoing.