The AFL is expected to go ahead with the introduction of a mid-season trade period, however the new player movement window isn't likely to be part of the 2024 calendar.
The AFL confirmed details surrounding the "eventual introduction of a mid-season trade period" would be finalised via "discussions between the AFL, AFLPA and clubs" within the league's recent Collective Bargaining Agreement last September.
"We will work through it. We've had the discussion with the players' association and in principle we're there, we now want to work with the players' association and the clubs on how it might look," AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said at the time.
While the league hinted there would be discussions to potentially introduce the mid-season trade period for this season, it is now most likely to come in 2025.
According toย News Corp,ย there is an expectation that the AFL will give clubs a year's notice for the inception of a mid-year player movement period, with a decision to potentially come in the next few months.
Clubs are set to supply feedback on the idea of a mid-season trade period, as well as submissions on Next Generation Academies and other factors, as early as this week.
With a handful of clubs likely to have settled on their salary caps for 2024, or with others having traded away 2024 draft selection during the recent off-season, some sides would be at a disadvantage if the period was approved for this year.
A mid-season trade period would aid clubs needing to find reinforcements for their list during luckless injury runs, while it could also provide opportunities for players unable to break into their respective senior side despite having the quality to perform at AFL level.
Collingwood coach Craig McRae supported the idea of a mid-season trade period last year during a period for the eventual premiers that saw their ruck group significantly hindered by injury.
"I'm big on a mid-season trade (period)," McRae said.
"I think it'd be great for the game within the right parameters. It'll add something for the fans, they'll enjoy that.
"Opportunities, like this for example, come up and we might need someone. I'm a big fan."
The AFL's successful introduction of the Mid-Season Draft has further helped clubs in the midst of a campaign while affording opportunities to players who were not listed in the league.
The likes of Jai Newcombe, Marlion Pickett and John Noble all found opportunities through the Mid-Season Draft as mature-aged recruits.
