New rules for AFLW expansion clubs will make existing clubs nervous

The AFL has revealed the list-building rules for the AFLW’s four expansion clubs – and existing teams have reason to feel vulnerable.

The four AFLW expansion clubs will be able to poach as many as 14 players each from rivals in new rules released by the league on Monday.

Essendon, Hawthorn, Port Adelaide and Sydney will join the competition for the 2022-23 season, meaning every AFL club will also have an AFLW team.

The AFL did not reveal the maximum number of players existing clubs could lose in the expansion signing period – which will occur before the sign and trade period – but there is a precedent.

Up to eight players could leave Brisbane and Fremantle, respectively, when Gold Coast and West Coast entered the AFLW last year, whereas the remaining sides had a maximum of four.

St Kilda and Richmond came into the league at the same time.

Hannah Scott’s Bulldogs and all other existing AFLW clubs will be vulnerable to losing talent under the league’s special expansion club rules. Picture: AFL Photos/via Getty Images

The AFL introduced various other list-building options for the Bombers, Hawks, Power and Swans to ensure “long-term sustainability and competitive balance”.

They include signing anyone who previously nominated for the draft and isn’t a current listed player and recruiting any under-18 footballer from their Next Generation Academy region.

The expansion clubs won’t be able to trade any player recruited from opposition clubs or signed with the special rules.

Essendon, Hawthorn, Port Adelaide and Sydney will also have the first eight picks in their state-based draft and the order will be based on random selection.

The remaining draft order will be based on existing clubs’ finishing position in the upcoming AFLW season, with expansion clubs added to the end of each round.

Originally published as New rules for AFLW expansion clubs will make existing clubs nervous