International Rookies
From 2006 onwards, clubs have been additionally allowed to sign up to two international rookies each year. The total number is limited to a maximum of six players at any one time, and payments do not count towards the salary cap. Players may remain international rookies for three years, instead of the usual two.
To be eligible, players must be aged between 15 and 23, and cannot be Australian citizens. Additionally, to protect the AFL's relationship with the Gaelic Athletic Association, Irish players do not qualify, and as such must be signed to either a club's primary or rookie list.
In 2008, the AFL increased the international rookie list for clubs to eight per year and a total of up to twenty four players at any one time. Scholarship costs were also reduced from A$10,000 to $1,000 for players who remain in their country of origin during their development and $20,000 for players who are moved (such as to Australia) to continue their development.
Read more about this topic: Rookie List