AFLW stars and marquees up for grabs for season 2018

EVERY AFLW player – including marquees – is up for grabs for season 2018, and clubs are scouring the country for their two rookie signings with code-switch athletes an attractive option.

Marquee Katie Brennan has been a Bulldog since 2013. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

EVERY AFLW player – including star marquees – is up for grabs for season 2018.

While the debut season is heading into week three of eight, clubs are already turning their attention to next year and the players they require for their team to make a mark in AFLW02.

Clubs are scouring the country for their two rookie signings with code-switch athletes an attractive option after the performances of ultimate frisbee star Cat Phillips and Australian basketballer Erin Phillips.

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Rookies cannot have played football in the past three years, but if clubs sign them early this year, they can play in a state league competition ahead of AFLW02.

Clubs are expected to be able to retain a large chunk of this season’s list, possibly up to 20 players, but players are uncontracted beyond this season.

Demons captain Daisy Pearce is the biggest name in women’s football. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

If a player doesn’t want to stay at a club, she can nominate for the draft or request a trade.

List sizes are expected to increase beyond the current 27 to 30.

Some clubs are keen to develop a new payment model for next season where they can spend the AFL’s player payment allocation – about $250,000 per side this season – as they wish ranging from a set base wage (currently $8500) to a top rate (currently $17,000).

This would remove the two designated marquee signings (currently earning $17,000 plus a $10,000 ambassador fee) and allow clubs to secure more topliners if they wanted.

Ambassador payments — the $10,000 for the two marquee players at each club — would still be offered to some players on top of their match/training payments.

All players on rookie contracts will need to be on the primary list next season.

Erin Phillips has been a success for the Crows as a rookie, but will need to be elevated to the primary list next season. Picture: AAP

Clubs pay rookies outside of the league’s allowance, anywhere between the base $8500 and marquee rate of $17,000.

This means Adelaide would need to fund its crossover star Phillips from its primary list money next season.

“The marquee player concept had been developed as mainly a list management tool and to help clubs begin the process of building a profile of their new teams,” an AFL spokesperson said yesterday.

“While still conducting a review of all elements of the competition with the eight clubs, the AFL envisages ambassadorial type roles will remain in place next season.

“The AFL will work with clubs to identify how marquee players fit into their list management strategy.”

Originally published as AFLW stars and marquees up for grabs for season 2018