AFL clubs won't be able to delist and redraft Indigenous players under the newly introduced third Category B list spot, with the additional position designed to increase First Nations representation across the competition.

Clubs will be forced to wait at least 12 months before the player becomes eligible for the Category B position.

This will prevent clubs from moving a senior-listed First Nations player from the primary list to the Category B list spot to free up room for incoming draftees or rival players.

Carlton delisted Zac Williams, but he will not be eligible to sign at the Blues as a Category B Rookie. The same applies to Essendon and Jade Gresham.

Candidates for the third spot are prospects such as VFL star Cooper Craig-Peters.

The Footscray Bulldog has received strong interest from multiple AFL clubs, with as many as seven sides across Victoria and New South Wales calling his manager to set up meetings.

"I think it's another avenue for clubs to take a chance on me," Craig-Peters told Zero Hanger.

"Obviously, Category B is a lower-risk chuck at the stumps. I think it helps with expanding our game and showcasing a lot of Indigenous talent as well that's out there, because there are a lot of Indigenous players in those state leagues who perform at a high level, which this will allow them to showcase their talents a little bit more and allow clubs to take a chance on those state league players, or even those 18-year-olds that maybe get overlooked for the national and rookie draft."

The league and clubs have agreed to the implementation of a third Category B list position exclusively for Indigenous players ahead of the 2027 AFL and AFLW seasons.

Here's a breakdown of concessions:

AFL

  • Where all three Cat B list spots are filled, at least one MUST be filled by a First Nations player
  • First Nations players aged 18 and over will be eligible for the spot, including NGA-aligned players
  • Eligible players must have nominated for the immediately preceding National Draft, excluding Delisted Free Agents (who won't be required to nominate)
  • A club may not delist a First Nations player and immediately place them on its Category B Rookie list. A minimum period of 12 months must elapse before that player becomes eligible

AFLW

  • The additional rookie list spot will be the 31st position on an AFLW list
  • First Nations players aged 18 and over will be eligible for the spot, including NGA-aligned players
  • Eligible players must have nominated for the immediately preceding National Draft, excluding Delisted Free Agents (who won't be required to nominate)
  • A club may not delist a First Nations player and immediately place them on its Rookie list. A minimum period of 12 months must elapse before that player becomes eligible

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