AFL New Zealand Premiership

The AFL New Zealand Premiership targets 200 talented male and female athletes from throughout New Zealand with players allocated selection in the teams through a retained players list and by way of the “AFL New Zealand National Draft”. The Premiership is the perfect opportunity for a higher level competition providing an extension to the traditional regional league seasons spanning between August to December each year. The seasons timing also provide the opportunities to utilise Australian based players within team selections. Players from 7 regions participate in the competition and flew into Auckland. This included over 370 flights.

The Women’s Premiership takes place in conjunction with the current Men’s Premiership between February and April.

Rising Star Oliver Giamblanco

coaches of each team and targeted stand out players who show the attributes of what it takes to be a successful player. The 6 best players from each team will make up the team of the week. At the culmination of the season, AFL New Zealand announced the Premiership Team of the year which consisted of the players who have featured in the team of the week category.

National Draft

The female competition will provide the perfect environment for girls transitioning from the Youth Competition formats to senior football and is the next step in finalising the pathway for women to participate in AFL within New Zealand.

The Women’s Premiership continues to exapnd with the introduction of three new teams. The Central Shakers, Northern Storm and Western Ravens will run out for the first time when the Women’s Premiership also returns in 2023

The AFL New Zealand National Draft will see all players placed into one of seven list categories. Highlighting the logistics of the competition and scheduling at North Harbour Stadium and QE2 Park, the list categories are determined by age and regions throughout New Zealand. Once an initial playing list has been established, athletes have their names entered into the AFL New Zealand National Draft, enabling coaching staff from the competing teams to select their AFL New Zealand Premiership playing rosters. Ongoing talent identification carried out through local, regional and national competitions, is utilized for further additions.

The AFL New Zealand Men’s and Women’s Premiership had record numbers in 2021 with the Women’s competition growing by 20%.

MEN’S PREMIERSHIP

The Premiership is seen as the perfect opportunity for a higher level competition providing an extension to the traditional regional league seasons spanning between August to December each year. The season’s timing also provides the opportunity for coaches to utilise Australian based players within their selections.

The 2023 Season will see the changes to competition that were due to take place in 2022, come to fruition, with the Saints set to host 2 games in Christchurch for the first time ever.

WOMEN’S PREMIERSHIP

The female competition will provide the perfect environment for girls transitioning from the Youth Competition formats to senior football and is the next step in finalising the pathway for women to participate in AFL within New Zealand.

Rising Star Award

The AFL New Zealand Rising Star award was awarded weekly to a standout young player in the AFL New Zealand Premiership. Each week the award was allocated to those who show ability that favours the core components it takes to become an AFL Player. To be eligible to be nominated for the award, a player must be born in 2003 or younger.

Previous Rising Star Winners

• Will Warbrick

• Carlos Donell-Brown

• Misilifi Faimalo

• Josh Mackie

• Declan Crann

• Oliver Giamblanco

Team Of The Week

Each week throughout the Premiership season, AFL New Zealand announced the ‘Team of the week’ which featurde the 24 best players from the previous weekends round. The teams were selected by the