What is the AFL mid-season trade period and how would it work?

Brisbane Lions AFL Limited Classic Cap Rocking picture

What is the AFL mid-season trade period and how would it work?

There has been growing discussion regarding the introduction of a mid-season trade period in the AFL, and reports suggest that the league is interested in implementing this additional trade window in 2024.

On Monday, AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan and incoming CEO Andrew Dillon met with Paul Marsh, the boss of the Australian Football League Player’s Association (AFLPA), to discuss players’ wages and the potential mid-season trade period. The AFLPA is open to exploring the idea of an additional trade window, especially with the possibility of a new player-wage deal that could facilitate greater player movement.

Brisbane Lions AFL Limited Classic Cap Rocking picture
Brisbane Lions AFL Limited Classic Cap Rocking picture

Allowing players to switch clubs during the middle of the season would bring about significant changes to the AFL season, but the details of how this would work remain unclear.

So, what exactly is the AFL mid-season trade period? It is a proposed trade period that would enable players to move to new clubs while the home and away season is still ongoing. This would provide opportunities for AFL-listed players who may not be getting sufficient game-time but are performing well at lower levels such as the VFL, SANFL, and WAFL. It would also allow clubs to address their specific needs by trading players or draft picks with other clubs and bolster their playing lists for the remainder of the year.

What is the AFL mid-season trade period and how would it work?

The mechanics of an AFL mid-season trade period would be similar to the mid-season draft, where players can join new clubs halfway through the season, but with the added flexibility to target contracted players. Although this concept is new to the AFL, former Richmond player Matthew Richardson has expressed support for the potential change, citing examples from other sports where players are traded during the season to find better opportunities. However, the AFL and AFLPA would need to find solutions on how traded players’ salaries could fit into the clubs’ wage caps mid-season.

While the mid-season trade period is not commonly seen in the AFL, it is a regular occurrence in global leagues and even in Australia’s NRL. In the NRL, players can switch clubs during the season if both the club and the player agree to terminate their contract. This transfer system enhances fan engagement and provides players with more playing time elsewhere. Additionally, the NBA features mid-season trade deadlines, enabling teams and players to make moves before the second half of the season.

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