Find out how players selected in the AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft get added to your leagues on Keeper.
What is the AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft?
The Mid-Season Rookie Draft (MSD) is a draft held in the middle of the AFL season. It's a chance for AFL clubs who have long-term injuries or retirements to add new players to their list by drafting players from state league competitions.
When is the Mid-Season Draft held?
The draft is held around the midpoint of the season in late-May, usually on Wednesday evening between Rounds 10 and 11. But in 2026 it will be held on Tuesday May 26, between rounds 11 and 12.
How do Mid-Season Draftees get added to Keeper?
Shortly after the conclusion of the MSD, any new draftees will be added to the player pool in your leagues.
If you're in a league which has waivers enabled, draftees will added to waivers until midnight AEST one day following the draft.
For leagues that don't use waivers, players will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Mid-Season Draft Timeline
- 6:30pm Tue – Mid-Season Draft held
- Late Tue – Players added to player pool, without positions
- In leagues with waivers, players added to waivers until Thu AEST
- Wed – Player positions confirmed and added to Keeper
- Thu – Waiver claims processed at waiver process time for your league
How are player positions determined for Mid-Season Draftees?
Positions follow the industry positions - the standard set of positions used by other fantasy AFL games.
Note - it's possible for players to be added to leagues before having a position listed. This is provide maximum time for waiver bids to be made, and player positions will be added as soon as official industry positions have been announced (Wed at the latest).