A question that has come up a few times is how the trading for the GWS U17yr old players will work. i.e. those kids not available until next year's draft that GWS can trade now. There has been discussion over whether it will be a mini-draft and GWS will trade slots in it, or if clubs will nominate a player and trade directly for that player. This article appears to clarify it:
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/112004/default.aspx
It appears clubs will nominate a player and trade with GWS directly for the player.
For info, GWS's entry rules are here: http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/86738/default.aspx
With the relevant paragraph/rule covering this area being this:
We still don't know when the trade period will happen. Vader found this from the AFL Player Rules which indicates that there will be a trade period, but not the dates:
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/112004/default.aspx
It appears clubs will nominate a player and trade with GWS directly for the player.
For info, GWS's entry rules are here: http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/86738/default.aspx
With the relevant paragraph/rule covering this area being this:
7. Incentive to other clubs trading with Team GWS in the 2011 and 2012 post-season:
Team GWS to be given access to four 17-year-olds born in the January to April 1994 window, with all players to be traded to other clubs. Selections will be allocated to Team GWS so the club can trade for established players, but the club will not have access to these 17-year-olds. If the four trades are not completed in the 2011 post-season, the balance of up to four trades may be used in the 2012 trading period.
We still don't know when the trade period will happen. Vader found this from the AFL Player Rules which indicates that there will be a trade period, but not the dates:
36.9 Trade Incentives – 2011 and 2012
(a) In addition to the permitted exchanges under Rule 4.3 and 36.8, in 2011 WSFC will be provided with the opportunity to on trade to another Club the right to select up to four 17 year olds (born January – April 1994) during the period determined by the General Manager – Football Operations and in accordance with guidelines established by the AFL.
(b) Should WSFC not on trade the opportunity select all four 17 year olds under Rule 36.9(a) in 2011, WSFC will be provided with the opportunity to on trade to another Club the right to select further 17 year olds (born January – April 1995) during the period determined by the General Manager – Football Operations and in accordance with guidelines established by the AFL, provided that no more than four 17 year olds in total are in traded under this Rules 36.9.