Five AFLW clubs have been handed priority draft picks, with strugglers Geelong and Gold Coast each receiving two additional first-round selections.
The Suns already held pick No.1 but will now also receive picks No.6 and No.8, while Geelong have added picks No.7 and No.9 to their pre-existing pick No.2.
As drafts are state-based, it means Geelong currently have access to three of the top five picks in Victoria, while Gold Coast can pick three players before premiers Brisbane have a selection.
Gold Coast will also have access to two mature-age players from Queensland prior to the draft, while Geelong will have early access to two mature-aged players from their local region.
The Suns were winless in 2021 while Geelong's only victory came against Gold Coast - with Suns coach David Lake and Cats counterpart Paul Hood both stepping down after the season.
West Coast will receive a priority selection in the second and third rounds of the draft, directly after the fifth selection in each of those rounds (currently picks 24 and 41)
St Kilda will receive a priority selection directly after the sixth pick of the second round (currently pick 25), with Richmond receiving a pick directly after the seventh selection of the second round (pick 26).
Picks No.1 through No.5, held by those five clubs receiving assistance, cannot be traded prior to the draft - but any other selections can.
The AFL commission considered "a range of factors including the win/loss record of these clubs over the past two seasons, percentage, performance against teams above and below them on the ladder and an assessment of their respective list profiles" when settling on special assistance.
AFLW CURRENT FIRST ROUND DRAFT ORDER
1. Gold Coast
2. Geelong
3. West Coast
4. St Kilda
5. Richmond
6. Gold Coast
7. Geelong
8. Gold Coast
9. Geelong
10. GWS
11. Western Bulldogs
12. Carlton
13. North Melbourne
14. Fremantle
15. Melbourne
16. Collingwood
17. Adelaide
18. Brisbane
Australian Associated Press
