The AFL has confirmed additional First Nations list spots will be introduced for the 2027 AFL and AFLW seasons.

The announcement follows endorsement from the AFL Commission and AFL Players’ Association (AFLPA).

The mechanism will provide clubs with one additional Category B Rookie List spot on their AFL list and one additional Rookie List spot on their AFLW list, designated for First Nations players.

The additional First Nations list spots are optional for all clubs and have been finalised after thorough industry-wide consultation that included the formation of an industry working group, engagement of the AFL’s First Nations Advisory Committee and consultation with the AFLPA, clubs, First Nations players and Indigenous Player Development Managers.

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The introduction of additional list spots occur in conjunction with the development and implementation of Industry Standards on Cultural Capability.

The Industry Standards will provide clubs with best practice guidance and support to continue to create culturally-safe environments for First Nations players.

The industry-wide support framework will be prioritised and delivered by the AFL’s First Nations Engagement team, in collaboration with the AFLPA, by March 2027 and will build on work already underway across the industry.

In 2026, there are 66 First Nations players on AFL club lists, and 22 First Nations players across the AFLW competition.

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Eligibility and access rules to additional First Nations list spots can be summarised as follows:

List profile

  • AFL: Where all three Category B Rookie list spots are filled on an AFL list, at least one spot must be filled by a First Nations player.
  • AFLW: An additional Rookie List spot will be the 31st position on an AFLW list.

Age eligibility

  • First Nations players who are draft eligible will be eligible for the list spot, including Next Generation Academy-aligned First Nations players.

Draft nomination

  • Eligible players must have nominated for the immediately preceding National Draft, excluding Delisted Free Agents, who will not be required to nominate.

Delisting

  • A club may not delist a First Nations player then immediately place them on its Category B Rookie list (AFL) or Rookie List (AFLW). A minimum period of 12 months must elapse before that player becomes eligible for selection by that club.

Existing First Nations players

  • Where a club already has a First Nations player on its Category B Rookie list (AFL), that player will satisfy the requirement for a First Nations player where all three Category B Rookie list spots are filled.

Club access

  • To access First Nations players for additional list spots, a club may either select its own NGA-aligned First Nations player during the NGA pre-selection period following the AFL/AFLW National Draft or select any eligible player during the Pre-Season Supplementary Signing Period (AFL) or prescribed signing period (AFLW).

Training opportunities

  • Consistent with the current SSP training rules, clubs will have the opportunity to invite up to two First Nations players to train with the club prior to signing. To exercise these options, a club must have an available Category B Rookie list spot.
  • No training opportunities will be available in AFLW as club programs will not have commenced the formal pre-season access period.