Draft FAQ
Everything you need to know about how the Toot Byron Cup draft works.
What is "Preferred Team"?
Important: Preferred team only matters for players with "Retain" or "Team Option" status.
- If you're marked "Retain" — Your preferred team can keep you before the draft even starts. If they retain you, you skip the draft entirely.
- If you're marked "Team Option" — Your preferred team gets first dibs on keeping you. They can choose to claim you (keeping you on the team) or release you to the draft pool.
- If you're in the Draft Pool — Your preference is informational only. Any team can pick you during the live draft - you go to whoever selects you.
What are the Draft Statuses?
There are four possible draft statuses that determine how you enter the season:
| Status | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Retain | Your preferred team can keep you before draft night. If they choose to retain you, you skip the draft and stay with them. This is the most secure status. |
| Team Option | Your team can choose to keep you OR release you to the draft pool. They have until pre-draft closes to make their decision. If claimed, you stay; if released, you enter the draft. |
| Draft | You're going into the open draft. Any team can pick you during the live draft event. This gives you the chance to join a new team! |
| Not Nominated | You haven't been nominated for the draft yet. If you want to play, contact a captain to get nominated before the deadline. |
What is "Highest Level Played"?
Your highest level played determines your "price" for salary cap purposes. Higher level = more expensive = teams need more budget to pick you.
Each team has a salary cap budget. When they pick you, your price counts against their cap. This helps create balanced teams - a team can't just stack all the highest-level players!
| Level | Salary Cap Value |
|---|---|
| Open International | $2,000,000 |
| Open International A | $1,750,000 |
| Open Domestic | $1,500,000 |
| Open Domestic 2nd XI | $1,250,000 |
| Open Premier / First Grade | $1,000,000 |
| Masters International | $1,000,000 |
| Masters Domestic | $500,000 |
| Base | $200,000 |
Note: These values may be adjusted by the competition organizers each season.
How does Draft Night work?
1. Pre-Draft Phase
- Teams review their retention candidates (players with "Retain" status)
- Retentions are locked in - these players skip the live draft
- Teams decide on team option players - claim or release
2. Live Draft
- Teams pick players in a snake draft order (order will randomise each round for non-semi finalists in previous season)
- To promote competition fairness, semi-finalists from the previous season will be locked in to the last four spots in the draft for every round.
- Each team has a timer to make their pick
- Teams must stay under their salary cap - can only pick players they can afford
- Draft continues until all teams have full rosters
3. Post-Draft
- Final rosters are announced
- Teams prepare for the upcoming season!
Quick Tips
- Check your player profile to see your current draft status and highest level
- Talk to your preferred team's captain if you want to be retained
- Watch the live draft - it's exciting and you'll see when you get picked!