The football is nearly over which means the off-season drama of the trade period and draft is just around the corner.
Set to begin in 2018, the AFL has confirmed a raft of changes to the draft and trade period, headlined by a two-day event and a primetime finish to the player movement window.
This year's draft will be held over two days, with the first round on Thursday, November 22 followed by the later rounds and the rookie draft on the Friday.
The draft returns to Melbourne for the first time since 2009, with the newly minted Marvel Stadium playing host to the country's best young footballers and their prospective clubs.
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Live trading has also been introduced to the draft for the first time, with the televised event sure to make for a dramatic spectacle.
The other major change announced is a primetime finish for the trade period, with the 10-day window opening on October 8th and closing at 8:30pm on Wednesday the 17th, allowing fans to tune in to the frantic final moments.
These changes move the league more in line with models used in the NFL and NBA, both of which garner huge public interest.
AFL TRADE, DRAFT AND FREE AGENCY DATES 2018
Restricted and unrestricted free agency window
9am Friday October 5 - 5pm Friday October 12
AFL trade period – players and picks
10am Monday October 8 - 8.30pm Wednesday October 17
AFL trade period – picks only
9am Thursday October 18 to 2pm Friday November 16
2018 AFL draft
First round: Thursday November 22
Second round onwards: Friday November 23
2018 AFL preseason and rookie drafts
Friday November 23
