So many of you already have a rough idea about what a Mini-Draft is, but I am gonna explain it in full for those who don't. I'm gonna try explaining how they work in a different way to see if its easier to quickly read and understand. :)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
Put simply, what is a Mini-Draft?
A Mini-Draft allows a Coach to delist players from their 33-Player Squad to get new Players.
When are the Mini-Drafts held?
In 2014, the Mini-Drafts will be held in AFL Rounds 3,6,11 and 16 (FDL Rounds 3,6, 10 and 15).
Are we ever allowed to have a Squad of more than 33 Players?
No, you cannot have more than 33 at any point in the Season. You are allowed to delist Players early on, but it doesn't mean you get extra Picks in the next Mini-Draft.
Are we having a Mini-Draft before the AFL Season starts?
No. Seeing Pre-Season Injuries is part of the fun when you get to laugh early on. Haha
How many Players can we pick?
You can draft up to 3 new players each Mini-Draft (So you can pick 1 or 2 new Players only if that's all you need).
Is it compulsory that every Team participates in each Mini-Draft?
No, participation in Mini-Drafts is optional - You can choose which ones you participate in. If you are happy with your whole squad with no problems, then you do not have to be part of the Mini-Draft.
When de-listing Players, do we have to re-draft a Player with the same Positional eligibility?
No, you are allowed to delist, for example, a Defender and pick up a Mid/Fwd (Assuming the Player isn't already taken by another Coach before you in the Mini-Draft :p )
How is the Order for each Mini-Draft determined?
It is based on the REVERSE of the League Ladder from the previous Round. e.g. For the first Mini-Draft in AFL Round 3, the Mini-Draft Order will be determined through the REVERSE of the Round 2 League Ladder. There is no Snake-Style Draft-Order used. Simply the REVERSE League Ladder for each Round of the Mini-Draft.
What happens to Delisted Players?
Once a Coach has de-listed a Player, they go back into the Pool of Players who haven't been selected and owned by a Team. They are allowed to be re-drafted by another Team.
When we pick a Player in the Mini-Draft, how soon do they become part of my Team?
Once you select a Player, they become part of your Squad STRAIGHT AWAY. There is no waiting period or anything. You are allowed to pick them in your Squad for the upcoming Round.
Once a Team delists a Player, can it be cancelled?
No, once a Team Posts that a Player has been de-listed on their Team Home Thread AND/OR the Mini-Draft De-Listing Thread, they cannot cancel the request. Similar to the Draft, once a Player is picked, the Coach cannot change his/her mind on the selection.
THE 2-STEP PROCESS OF HOW THE MINI-DRAFTS WORK
Step 1 - Delisting Players
The first thing to do (If you haven't already done so) is to de-list the number of Players you want to re-draft in the upcoming Mini-Draft. Pay attention to Table at the bottom of this Post outlining the Delisting Deadlines for each Mini-Draft. So if you still have 33 Players in your Squad, and want to get 2 new Players in the Draft, you must de-list 2 Players. You are allowed to have LESS than 33 Players in your Squad, but you can never have more than 33 at anytime!!
You can de-list 4 Players if you like, but you will only receive 3 Picks in the next Mini-Draft (and 1 Pick in the following Mini-Draft).
When de-listing Players, you must do so on your Team Home Thread AND/OR the Mini-Draft De-Listing Thread (This Thread will be made closer to each Mini-Draft when they are held). When you de-list a Player, it is automatically assumed that you want to take part in the upcoming Mini-Draft. If you for some reason don't wish to, please state this in the same Post.
Step 2 - Participation in the Mini-Draft
Once the Deadline for de-listing Players is met, Damoz will post the Draft Order and the Mini-Draft will begin straight away. Time Limits in-between Picks may apply if there are a high number of Draft Picks to get through. Very similar to the Draft, once a Player is taken, they cannot be selected by another Coach. No two Teams can own one Player in the same Division.
So like your participation in the Draft, you simply make your selection on the Player you want who hasn't already been selected, and then they become part of your Team.
[CENTER]MINI-DRAFTS IN TRADES WITH OTHER COACHES
You are allowed to Trade Mini-Draft Picks with other Coaches. However, it is risky for the Coach receiving the Mini-Draft Pick because it depends on the League Ladder position of the Coach trading the Pick. As explained in the 2014 Rules about the Trade Period Thread, Trades must be posted 2 days before the Round begins. Therefore, if a Coach trades a Mini-Draft Pick, the position in the Mini-Draft Order is subject to the position of the Team on the League Ladder of the Round just before the Mini-Draft begins (See the Table at the bottom of this Post to see which Ladder that applies for each Mini-Draft). Also, when making a Trade involving a Mini-Draft Pick, please state what Round it is (e.g. Mini Draft 1, Round 1 Pick). This is because there can be up to 3 Round Picks in each Mini-Draft since 3 Players from each Team can be selected, so it is essential to state what Round (1, 2 or 3) Mini-Draft Pick is being Traded. Each Coach is still allowed to de-list up to 3 Players, even if they Trade of one their Mini-Draft Picks, but it just means that they miss their particular Round pick. This can be complicated, so please read the following Example if you are planning on having a Trade involving Mini-Draft Picks being Traded as well.
So this is a risky bit about Trading, unless you know that a Team will remain in a similar position. If the Team moves up the Ladder, then it disadvantages for the Coach who receives the Draft Pick because its a worse position in the Order for the Mini-Draft.
COMPREHENSIVE EXAMPLE:
I'm gonna use Ash as part of my Example because he is also in both League Divisions, but the Players involved from his Team and my Team are coming from Division 1.
Okay, so FDL Round 2 is a couple of days away from beginning and we have come up with this made-up Trade:
Goulburn Valley Vikings to Purring Cats
* Brent Harvey, NTH, MID/FWD
Purring Cats to Goulburn Valley Vikings
* Paul Puopolo, HAW, FWD
* Mini-Draft No. 1, Round 2 Pick
So pay close attention to the terminology that has been used in the Trade - Purring Cats are trading Mini-Draft No. 1, Round 2 Pick to Goulburn Valley Vikings.
Now FDL Round 2 is over, and the League Ladder has already been determined. It has revealed that the Purring Cats are in Position 1 on the Ladder and the Goulburn Valley Vikings are in Position 2. Purring Cats have delisted 3 Players, and Goulburn Valley Vikings have delisted 3 Players. PLEASE NOTE: GVV must have delisted at least 2 Players in order to take the Mini-Draft Pick as it is a Round 2 Pick.
Also, assume that every Team has delisted at least 3 Players from their Teams. This is how the Mini-Draft Order would look....
Mini-Draft No. 1 (AFL Round 3, FDL Round 3)
ROUND 1
1. Swans 'R Cool:
2. The Heisenbergs:
3. Moorabbin Park Scalpers:
4. South West Warriors:
5. Eastern Accumulators:
6. IsDonIsGood:
7. Yup:
8. Counter Logic:
9. Goulburn Valley Vikings: <--- THIS IS AS NORMAL
10. Purring Cats: <--- THIS IS AS NORMAL
ROUND 2
11. Swans 'R Cool:
12. The Heisenbergs:
13. Moorabbin Park Scalpers:
14. South West Warriors:
15. Eastern Accumulators:
16. IsDonIsGood:
17. Yup:
18. Counter Logic:
19. Goulburn Valley Vikings: <--- THIS IS AS NORMAL
20. Goulburn Valley Vikings: <--- The Purring Cat's Original Position for Round 2 is replaced with GVV, as per the Trade Deal negotiated and agreed on by the two Coaches.
ROUND 3
21. Swans 'R Cool:
22. The Heisenbergs:
23. Moorabbin Park Scalpers:
24. South West Warriors:
25. Eastern Accumulators:
26. IsDonIsGood:
27. Yup:
28. Counter Logic:
<--> Notice how GVV does not appear in Round 3 again? This is because Ash has already picked 3 Players for this Mini-Draft (Pick 9, 19 and 20).
29. Purring Cats: <--- Purring Cats' 2nd Selection
ROUND 4
30: Purring Cats: <--- Purring Cats' 3rd Selection. Since the Purring Cats delisted 3 Players as well, this is the replaced position in the Draft Order.
As usual, feel free to PM me or post on this Thread if you have any Questions.
Damoz.
Mini-Draft No.
AFL Round/FDL Round
Reverse of the Ladder
Delisting Deadline*
1
AFL Round 3 (FDL Round 3)
Reverse of FDL Round 3 Ladder
Monday, March 31, 2014 at 12.00 PM
2
AFL Round 6 (FDL Round 6)
Reverse of FDL Round 6 Ladder
Monday, April 21, 2014 at 12.00 PM
3
AFL Round 11 (FDL Round 10)
Reverse of FDL Round 10 Ladder
Sunday, May 25, 2014 at 6.00 PM
4
AFL Round 16 (FDL Round 15)
Reverse of FDL Round 15 Ladder
Monday, June 30, 2014 at 12.00 PM
* Dates and Times are subject to change at Damoz' discretion.