History

The draft system was introduced in 1981 as an equalisation strategy in reaction to the impact of rising transfer fees and player salaries and falling attendances, which posed a threat to the life of the then VFL, as well as the failure of country zones with inequality of talent present such as the zones of Carlton and Hawthorn compared to those of Melbourne leading to clubs dominating the league. Clubs were given 2 interstate player selections each based on reverse order of finishing positions. The first national draft was held in 1986. Players were still tied to zones based on the location of residence and the club that controlled that zone had first call on the player (West Coast Eagles gained first access to all WA players and the Brisbane Bears received 6 pre-draft concession picks).

Draft Archive

1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008