As the 2025 Continental Tyres AFL Trade Period and Free Agency windows approach, fans and clubs alike are gearing up for a critical phase in the Australian Football League calendar. This period, which follows the Grand Final and precedes the Telstra AFL Draft, is crucial for teams aiming to enhance their rosters and draft selections.
The AFL Trade Period is a 10-day window where all 18 clubs have the opportunity to exchange players and draft picks. This year, the Free Agency period will open on Friday, October 3, at 9 am AEST and will close on Friday, October 10, at 5 pm AEDT. The Trade Period will then commence on Monday, October 6, at 9 am AEDT and conclude on Wednesday, October 15, at 7:30 pm AEDT.
Key Changes and Dates for 2025
This year introduces a significant rule change: clubs can now trade draft picks two years in advance. This means that during the 2025 Trade Period, clubs can negotiate picks for the 2025, 2026, and 2027 drafts. Such flexibility allows clubs to strategize long-term, potentially reshaping their future rosters.
Continental Tyres AFL Trade Radio will provide daily coverage from 7 am to 6 pm AEDT throughout the Trade and Free Agency period, ensuring fans stay updated on the latest player movements.
Trade Mechanics and Draft Selections
During the Trade Period, clubs can exchange players and draft picks, or a combination of both. While most trades involve two clubs, multi-club trades are permissible. The AFL oversees these exchanges to ensure fairness.
Draft selections are initially allocated in reverse order of the season’s ladder positions. For instance, Richmond, finishing 18th in 2025, will receive the first draft pick. However, trades can alter this order. In 2024, Hawthorn secured Carlton’s future first-round pick, granting them pick 8 in the 2025 draft.
The Draft Value Index
The AFL’s Draft Value Index (DVI) assigns a points value to each draft pick, aiding clubs in assessing the fairness of trades. For example, pick No.1 is worth 3000 points, while pick No.2 is valued at 2481 points. This system helps clubs manage trades, especially when dealing with father-son selections or Academy players.
In 2025, the DVI has been revamped to allocate fewer points to lower-order picks, encouraging clubs to pay a fair price for players. This change aims to maintain competitive balance and fairness in player acquisitions.
Understanding Free Agency
Free Agency offers players another avenue to change clubs. There are two categories: restricted and unrestricted free agents. Unrestricted free agents, having served eight years at one club and being out of contract, can move freely to a club of their choice. This category also includes delisted free agents.
Restricted free agents, often among the top earners at their clubs, can entertain offers from other teams. If their current club matches the offer, a trade must be negotiated if the player still wishes to leave.
Free Agency Compensation
The AFL compensates clubs with a net loss of free agents through draft picks, using a formula based on the player’s new contract and age. These compensatory picks can be allocated in various rounds, depending on the player’s value.
Trade Dynamics and Strategies
Clubs can only trade players who are out of contract unless they have the player’s consent. A player can veto any trade they do not agree with, regardless of their contract status.
A ‘salary dump’ is a strategy where clubs trade a high-salary player, often attaching a draft pick to incentivize another club to take on the contract. This tactic helps clubs manage salary cap constraints while potentially acquiring valuable draft assets.
Even after the Trade Period closes, clubs can still sign delisted free agents and trade draft picks up until the AFL Draft on November 19-20.
The 2025 AFL Trade Period and Free Agency windows offer clubs a strategic opportunity to reshape their teams. With new rules and a revamped Draft Value Index, this year’s period promises to be dynamic and potentially transformative for many clubs.
