THE AFL and AFLPA have announced that a Heads of Agreement (HOA) has been reached for the player movement period ahead of the 2023 AFLW Season 8.
As Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) discussions continue, details have been confirmed regarding list size, the sign and trade period and the priority signing period (PSP).
Port Adelaide will be granted two additional list spots on last year, taking the squad size from 30 to 32 players.
The PSP will allow the four Season 7 expansion teams – Port Adelaide, Essendon, Hawthorn and Sydney – to sign ‘PSP players’ without making a trade.
During the PSP, the Power will be permitted to sign up to three players and can offer a secondary relocation reimbursement/payment to these players. One PSP signing is permitted to be an underage player who turns 18 by 30 April 2023.
Players will be paid rates from the existing CBA, with any potential changes applied retrospectively according to the ongoing CBA negotiations.
Clubs will also not be required to make a minimum number of list changes during the sign and trade period.
Port Adelaide head of AFLW Juliet Haslam welcomes the changes for Season 8.
“We are very pleased to have certainty for our players and our club regarding player movement for the upcoming season.
“A larger list size gives us greater depth, while a priority signing period allows us to further strengthen our squad.
“Our list manager Naomi Maidment can now begin serious discussions with our existing list and potential new players so we can best prepare for our second AFLW season.”
Key dates
- Priority signing period (PSP): 1 March (9am) – 8 March (2pm)
- Sign and trade period: 10 March (9am) – 20 March (3pm)
