AFL cuts the Trade Period by a week.

[GVGjr]

This is good news.

The AFL has lopped a week off this year’s trade period, as part of a move to create a snappier post-season.

In other changes, the restricted and unrestricted free agency period will be reduced by four days this year, to 11, while the pre-season and rookie drafts will be held just four days after the national draft.

Last year’s trade period ran over 19 days and while a large number of trade and free agency moves were made, activity slowed significantly in the second week as clubs waited for free agency compensation picks to be assigned.

This year, trading will start on Monday, October 6, and run for just 12 days, finishing at 2pm on Friday, October 17.
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The restricted and unrestricted free agency period that ran over 15 days in 2013 will start on Friday, October 3 and finish on Monday, October 13, with clubs then having three additional days to choose whether to match offers made to their restricted free agents and only a few days in which to on-trade any compensation picks.

The first free agency period, in 2012, ran for 19 days, as did that year’s trade period.

This year’s national draft will most likely be held on a Monday night – November 24 - having been held on a Thursday night for several years. It may yet be moved by one day either way, depending on the availability of the Gold Coast convention centre.

More here (http://theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/afl-cuts-trade-period-by-a-week-20140310-34gx1.html)

[bulldogtragic]

Awesome. I think a lot of the garbage in the press and online stems from boredom and restlessness. With the RD and PSD, I find it interesting the clubs have prioritised finalising the list over a short period to assess delistees etc. JMAC will be a tad busy for a 6 weeks.

That footy show, 'the recruit', was meant to have a draft wasn't it according to the advertising?

[Remi Moses]

Logical move as we get less b/s,innuendo, rumour and just plain fantasy.
I still think even now it's way to long, and it's just a way to hog the headlines and paper space against other sports.

[Go_Dogs]

It's a good move to reduce the time.

Hopefully this will assist clubs and players/managers striking deals in a faster fashion.

[KT31]

Good move, should put a bit more urgency into getting deals done.
Still think it is a little long and a week should be enough.