The Crows will be allowed to sign another four players for the inaugural women’s squad before the October draft.
The AFL has confirmed the process for national women’s league teams to select priority players and rookie players, with the Crows permitted to pre-sign two priority players and two rookies who have not played football for three seasons.
AFL General Manager Game and Market Development, Simon Lethlean, said the process is part of the strategy to help teams build lists ahead of the inaugural national women’s league in early 2017.
“Building the women’s teams from scratch is a unique situation that requires flexibility,” he said.
“We are keen to ensure that players who already have connections to clubs are listed prior to the Women’s Draft as well as provide concessions to help boost the talent pool in those States or Territories that need it.
“Clubs are required to submit priority player requests to the AFL and each request will be considered based on those principles.”
It has been determined that the following priority selections can be made:
· Victorian clubs (Carlton, Collingwood, Melbourne and Western Bulldogs) & Fremantle can pre-sign one player that has an association with the club
· Adelaide Crows and Brisbane Lions can pre-sign two players
· GWS Giants can pre-sign four players
Mr Lethlean also confirmed GWS and Fremantle would also receive an additional priority selection to compensate for the long-term injuries to their marquee players Renee Forth (GWS) and Kiara Bowers (Fremantle).
Clubs are also welcome to list two Rookie players. Rookie players are those new to Australian football and/or have not been registered as an Australian football player over the past three seasons.
The listing of players on women’s teams will be completed at the Women’s Draft which will be held in mid-October, with details of this event to be announced in the near future.
Marquee players for the eight clubs were revealed last month, with the Crows recruiting Chelsea Randall and Kellie Gibson.
