Two-season contracts introduced to AFLW

Previously, clubs were only able to sign players for one season at a time.

There isn't a limit as to how many two-season contracts clubs can offer however, players selected in the 2019 AFLW Draft can only be offered one-season contracts. 

Clubs can re-sign up to 22 players and retain a maximum of two 2019 rookie-listed players as rookies for the 2020 season.

The Brisbane Lions and Fremantle Dockers are set to brace for raids from new expansion clubs with the two clubs expected to lose up to eight players. 

Meanwhile, expansion clubs will be able to sign up to four players from the Victorian clubs, Adelaide and GWS.

The reason for this hasn't been explicitly explained but AFLW and general AFL news reporter at AFL Media Sarah Black explains:  

I believe its because Lions/Freo have had access to all the players who have nominated for their respective states for the past three years, and now have to share with new sides Suns/Eagles

— Sarah Black (@_sjblack) March 18, 2019

There will be 300 players out of contract come the end of the AFLW season.

There will be 14 teams in the competition next season with Gold Coast, Richmond, St Kilda and West Coast joining.