Additions to each club's playing list are not allowed at any other time during the year.
The key dates for the trading and drafting periods:[1] The 2016 AFL draft included an initiative whereby clubs could trade future picks; through this scheme, twenty picks in the 2017 draft have already been traded.
As the Greater Western Sydney Giants were penalised 1,000 draft points by the AFL for the club's handling of Lachie Whitfield's attempt to avoid a potential drug test, their first round pick (pick 15) was moved back to pick 65.
[130] Cameron Rayner Zac Bailey Brandon Starcevich Jack Payne Clubs were able to promote any player who was listed on their rookie list in 2017 to their 2018 primary playing list prior to the draft.
The 2018 pre-season draft was the first to be held since 2014[138] Brody Mihocek During the trade period, clubs could nominate category B rookies to join their club.