Women’s2015Draft

NOMINATE NOW

APRIL 20, 2015

Nomination form at womensdraft.afl.com.au

Live-streamed from the Limelight Room Etihad Stadium, Melbourne

THE FUTURE IS IN YOUR HANDS

2014 DRAFTEES SHONE IN SECOND GAME RIVALRY

The second AFL Women’s Exhibition Game was as historical as the inaugural match, being the first time an AFL-sanctioned women’s game had been contested “indoors” at Eithad Stadium.

The teams were selected differently to 2013 to provide further opportunities for players to be drafted. Melbourne FC (MFC) and Western Bulldogs FC (WBFC) retained 12 of their 2013 list and delisted 13 players. Draft nominations exceeded 250 with many more received from Northern Territory and NSWACT in particular. With a more rigorous selection process, including live streaming of All Stars and Draft games around Australia and some states conducting Draft testing, the AFL club coaches were able to make more informed decisions about their player lists.

Tiah Haynes (Coastal Titans, WAWFL) was #1 Draft pick. Her joy quickly turned to heartache. One day she was the top selection in the country and six days later she was dealt the cruel blow of receiving a season-ending ACL injury. Madeline Keryk (MUFC, VIC) was then elevated from WBFC emergency to the playing list and she proved to be one of the better performers in a game where the scoreline belied the fierceness of the contest.

Nicolette ‘Sissy’ Dunn (Alice Springs, NT) had played only nine-a-side in club football. MFC head coach Michelle Cowan saw her in action during NT’s live streaming of their All Stars match and saw something sublime in Dunn’s performance. Sissy stepped up to be a goal scorer in the full-sided match at Etihad.

All-Australian 2014 Youth Girls Tayla Harris (QLD), Hayley Miller (WAWFL) and Kellie Gibson (WAWFL) proved that stepping up to a more challenging women’s game was not daunting. Harris held the mark of the day when she took a hang over a pack of opposition players. Her mark went viral on social media attracting over two million ‘likes’. Miller (Youth Girls joint fairest and best) showed why when she dashed off the half-back line on numerous occasions to repel WBFC attacks. Gibson was miffed at being delisted by WBFC so when reselected by the Dees decided to show why she should have stayed a Doggie. Both her goals were scored uncontested from relentless running and hard work out of the Dees’ backline.

Chelsea Randall (WAWFL) #3 in 2013 Draft was best on ground in 2014 with a display of grit and tenacity. Randall proved too agile for the Doggies defenders and capped off an outstanding forward line.

Victorious International Cup 14 captain, Canada’s Aimee Legault, only gets to play AFL when the snow melts in hometown Montreal. Aimee provided test results and video evidence to help her cause to be drafted. Though unsuccessful in 2014, her International Cup campaign will certainly get the coaches’ attention and help her selection potential in 2015.

The Hampson-Hardeman Cup is likely to be played over two games in 2015. The MCG game on May 24 will be a MFC home game with the August 16 Etihad match being hosted by WBFC.

There are two opportunities to be drafted in 2015, but only the one nomination period. With a minimum 34 places up for selection in Draft #1 and up to 12 in the July mini Draft, you can make your mark. Go to womensdraft.afl.com.au and complete the Draft Nomination Form before February 27.

Jan CooperNational Manager Female Football Development

HOW TO GET INVOLVEDThe AFL will conduct the Draft and nomination process so players can be selected from across Australia and Internationally as per the Rules and Regulations of the Draft. As far as possible, the Draft will be live-streamed to each capital city. Interstate players will be financially supported by the AFL to attend the AFL Women’s Exhibition matches, ensuring it is as close to a true display of the best available female talent in Australia. International players selected will be viewed on an individual basis.

The competing AFL clubs will make their selections from the AFL Women’s Draft and host interstate players who are drafted providing a comprehensive program at their club leading up to the first AFL Women’s Exhibition Game at the MCG on May 24.

To capture players displaying outstanding form at club or state level after the Draft, a second mini Draft will be conducted on July 20. Both AFL clubs will delist up to six players each, allowing original Draft nominees to have a second chance at playing in the August 16 Exhibition Game at Etihad Stadium, should that go ahead.

Am I eligible for the Draft?InvitationSome players will receive a direct invitation to nominate themselves for the Draft. As long as they are 17 by the date of the match, these will include but are not restricted to:

u All-Australian team members u State squad and team representatives u State Talent Academy members

All registered club players and talented athletesIf you are registered to a club, all other interested players aged 17 by the date of the match are encouraged to nominate. These include but are not restricted to:

u Women’s League players u Players who have no club in their area but have played for a school team u There is provision for females who have no access to a community club

near their home because of, for example, living in a remote or isolated location, to nominate.

u International players are encouraged to nominate

Steps to get into the DraftAll players are to nominate for the Draft via the online Draft Nomination Form found at:

1. womensdraft.afl.com.au or

2. Request a Nomination Form by emailing jan.cooper@afl.com.au

3. Complete the form and email back to Jan Cooper

Please note: You must be a minimum 17 by the match date. If you are under 18 at the time of nominating, you should ensure a parent/guardian signs the form too.

Once your nomination is accepted, you will receive confirmation of the conduct of the Draft. The AFL, together with the clubs, is planning to conduct the first Draft via live streaming, inviting players and their parents to attend in their capital city.

The second Draft will be conducted between the AFL clubs and posted online through aflcommunityclub.com.au/index.php?id=495.

Any questions should be directed to Jan Cooper at the AFL via email jan.cooper@afl.com.au and headed AFL Women’s Draft 2015.

2015

NOMINATE NOWTHE FUTURE IS IN YOUR HANDS

2015

NOMINATE NOWTHE FUTURE IS IN YOUR HANDS

KEY QUESTIONSImportant information you need to know

If I nominated in 2014, do I have to re-nominate for 2015?Yes. It is good practice to know current contact details of players wishing to be considered for the Draft, ascertain if there’s any retirements or players from 2014 who have sustained long-term injuries.

If I am delisted from 2014, can I nominate for 2015 Draft?Yes! If you are displaying good form in your local league, State Academy etc, there’s a good chance that the coaches will want you back in their team.

However, depending on what positions on field they need to fill, you may even get picked up by a different team to that of 2014. That means that Melbourne FC may not want a small forward, for example, so it delists you. Western Bulldogs FC may require a small forward and thus may relist you at its club.

If I am delisted after the first Exhibition Game, will I have an opportunity to nominate for the second Draft?No! There will be only one nomination period. You must nominate now to flag your intentions of being available for both games or the second match should the opportunity arise. If you don’t nominate, you won’t be considered even if your form is quite outstanding during the start of season 2015.

What if I don’t participate in the testing, will my Draft chances diminish?Testing is only one tool that forms the overall picture of how talented and prepared for high performance football you are. If you cannot attend testing sessions, you should let your State Talent Manager know to see if there is an alternative.

If I am selected at the AFL Women’s Draft, am I bound to play for the club that selects me?Yes. You will not have a choice of which club you can play for once selected in the Draft. You cannot offer a swap with another player for example. However, the following clause applies in extenuating circumstances.

Can I trade to the other club if I have a case for Exceptional and Compelling Circumstances?

A player selected by a club or an existing club player can apply to AFL Manager: Female Football Development at jan.cooper@afl.com.au to be released and traded to the other club should:

u The other club wish to accept them as a traded player u The player has grounds of exceptional and compelling circumstances

which make it harsh and unreasonable for the player to remain bound to that club.

This does not guarantee that the player will be traded nor selected by the other club. The AFL Manager will convene an independent Tribunal to hear the player’s case.

If my father played with Melbourne FC or Western Bulldogs FC, can I play for the same club?Yes. There is a father-daughter rule in place for the AFL Women’s Exhibition Game. If you are drafted, you will play for the club your father played with.

I am a member of Melbourne FC or Western Bulldogs FC or I support one of the clubs. Can I play for the club I barrack for or are a member of?Yes! If you are a paid member of either Melbourne or Western Bulldogs and if selected it will be for the club you are a member of. If you already have a passion for one of the clubs, we will do our best to see you’re selected to play for that club.

What if I am accepted for the Draft but find I cannot play in the match?You must let the AFL and the club know immediately so they can source a replacement player.

I live in a remote part of Australia or don’t have a local club to play for. How do I nominate?If there is no female competition close to your home, then you will be asked to seek the approval of your local Regional Development Manager (RDM) before proceeding with your nomination. This match is for the most talented players. The AFL appreciates that those living in some regions (including overseas) may not have access to a player pathway, but may be talented athletes. To provide the highest level of player welfare, the AFL may seek you being sighted by an RDM to make sure you are of the high standard required to participate in the match. You may have to be tested using the same protocols that State Academies conduct so we can gauge for example your overall endurance, agility, sprinting, kicking and handball techniques. The AFL may request vision of your skills being performed under pressure (such as with a defender, for speed and on the non-preferred side of your body).

You are unlikely to be considered unless you are willing to be tested and provide vision of you in action.

I’ve never played AFL for a club but have played for my school, so can I nominate?Yes! Nominations are welcome from athletes who are unable to play for a club because of their location. If your only opportunity to play AFL has been through your school, then the AFL will seek the approval of your local Regional Development Manager (RDM) before proceeding with your nomination to make sure you are of the high standard required to participate in the match. Conditions apply as per the above criteria.

I’m a registered club player in an overseas location. Am I eligible to nominate?Yes. The same conditions apply for you as per a footballer from a remote location. Although nominations from overseas players are welcome, if you do meet the criteria as outlined above and are drafted, you will need to make your own way to the match and at your own expense.

What is the minimum age for the Draft?You must be a minimum of 17 by the date of the Exhibition Game. If you are under 18 at the time of nominating, you should ensure a parent/guardian signs the form too.

Women’s2015Draft

2014 Players delisted Thursday, January 22 – six retained players announcedRetirees, long-term injured and delisted players announced

Draft nominations open-closeMonday, February 2 – online Nomination Form opensFriday, February 27 – online Nomination Form closes

Draft conducted Monday, April 20Melbourne Limelight Room, Level D, Gate 4, Etihad Stadium,

Docklands. Live-streamed to venues in each capital city:

Adelaide SANFL Chairman’s Room, AAMI Stadium, Turner Dve, West Lakes

Brisbane Brisbane Lions Boardroom, Gate 2, the Gabba, Vulture Street, Woollongabba

Canberra Bradman Boardroom, AFL Canberra, Manuka Oval

Darwin AFL NT Boardroom, TIO Stadium, Abala Rd, Mararra

Hobart Check availability

Perth Polly Farmer Room, Gate 6, Level 3, Patersons Stadium, Subiaco Rd, Subiaco

Sydney AFLNSWACT Boardroom, Sheridan Building, Moore Park Road, Moore Park

MFC v WBFC game 1 – MCG, May 24 Players must be available from May 22-24

Clubs delist up to six players each – July 10Clubs draft up to six new players for Exhibition Game 2 – July 20

WBFC v MFC game 2 – Etihad Stadium, August 16 Players must be available from August 14-16

Jan CooperNational Manager Female Football Development

KEY DATES FOR THE AFL WOMEN’S DRAFT AND EXHIBITION GAMES