THE AFL has developed a father-daughter rule ahead of the upcoming Sign and Trade Period in the NAB AFL Women's Competition.

After the success of its inaugural year, the League outlined its rules for the 2018 season, with the creation of the father-daughter rule a key element.

The father must have played at least one AFL game for his club for it to have first access to his daughter at the women's draft, which will be held in mid-October to finalise list spots.

Read the full statement on the AFLW competition for 2018

The women's trade period will run from May 15-26, while the free agency period will take place between May 29-June 1.

The establishment of the father-daughter rule was among a raft of list regulations detailed to clubs on Wednesday, including:



- Club lists will remain at 27 senior players with three rookie spots available

- Clubs can re-sign a maximum of 22 players from this year, meaning there will be a turnover of at least five senior spots at each club

- Players can be traded with the consent of the AFL, all players and clubs involved in the deal

- Trades can involve multiple players for one player, and can also involve multiple clubs

- Selections for this year's draft can be traded as part of deals, however future selections for the 2019 draft can not be traded.