{"id":953504,"date":"2026-11-05T12:22:18","date_gmt":"2026-11-05T12:22:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/953504\/"},"modified":"2026-11-05T12:22:18","modified_gmt":"2026-11-05T12:22:18","slug":"afl-player-agents-the-race-to-sign-teenage-draft-prospects","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/953504\/","title":{"rendered":"AFL player agents: The race to sign teenage draft prospects"},"content":{"rendered":"

Just over two years before the AFL national draft, another race begins. <\/p>\n

A flooded market of more than 100 accredited AFL player agents jostle to sign what has become a shrinking number of next-generation AFL stars. <\/p>\n

\u201cRecruiters pick kids at 18, but we\u2019ve got to identify the talent and work out who we think are going to be guns at the age of 16,\u201d one player manager said. <\/p>\n

\u201cBecause with the top-end kids, if you don\u2019t reach out to them at the end of their 16th year it\u2019s highly likely they\u2019ll align with a different manager.\u201d<\/p>\n

MORE: OUR MOCK DRAFT OF THE FIRST 32 PICKS<\/a><\/p>\n

Managers flock to the under-16 national championships on the Gold Coast each July, where the best young prospects in the country do battle.<\/p>\n

But the best players at under-16 level aren\u2019t always the best players at under-18 level, which mean projections must be made. <\/p>\n

Officially, agents are not allowed to approach players or their parents until October 1 of their 16th year \u2014 although some have been caught breaking those rules over the years. <\/p>\n

The first approach is expected to be made through the AFLPA Player Agent Portal, in the form of a written letter of introduction. <\/p>\n

From there, sit-down meetings with players can be held. <\/p>\n

Some mid-tier draft prospects will meet with 10 or more different agents before settling on one in an increasingly competitive market. <\/p>\n

One experienced agent described this year as \u201cthe worst year I\u2019ve seen\u201d, such has been the level of competition to sign footy\u2019s next crop of stars. <\/p>\n

Some Victorian-based agents are increasingly finding new clients interstate, making for many trips to Adelaide, Brisbane or the Gold Coast. <\/p>\n

They can only hope those travels will pay off, but there are no guarantees given there is still some fierce local competition for signings. <\/p>\n

Firms with large networks of agents continue to lead the way in terms of total draftees, including CDG Sports, TGI Sport and Hemisphere Management Group \u2014 which have collectively had 44 first-round draft picks over the past three years. <\/p>\n

Such bigger, established firms pitch experience, resources and networking opportunities to try and get draft prospects on-board, while smaller firms may promise more personalised service. <\/p>\n

But at the end of the day, vibes and connections with individual agents tend to win out. <\/p>\n

Reputation \u2013 whether in the public eye or not \u2013 is also everything. <\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of connections in footy industry so people find out if you are telling a few porky pies or don\u2019t stick to your word,\u201d one manager said. <\/p>\n

MORE DRAFT COVERAGE: THE INTEL ON THE 90 TOP PROSPECTS<\/a><\/p>\n

Some agents cop rejection better than others. <\/p>\n

One parent of a draft prospect said their \u201cblood was boiling\u201d after overhearing how one agent spoke to their son when he told them he had decided to go with a different management firm. <\/p>\n

But the same parent said many other agents handled the situation much better and continued to send messages of support even after their son had chosen another manager.<\/p>\n

After all, welfare is one of the key roles an agent performs \u2014 along with contracts, trade, free agency and helping ensure long-term financial security for players. <\/p>\n

Among this year\u2019s top AFL draft prospects, TGI Sport agents Dylan Hodge and Max Hayes continue to be magnets for top picks. <\/p>\n

CDG Sports\u2019 duo Nick Gieschen and Julian Petracca again have plenty of big names, while Hemisphere Management Group\u2019s Dan Meddings could have five top-40 selections.<\/p>\n

Originally published as Behind the player agent race to sign footy\u2019s next generation of stars \u2014 and who\u2019s coming out on top<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Just over two years before the AFL national draft, another race begins. A flooded market of more 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