2021 AFL draft

The 2021 AFL draft consisted of the various periods where the 18 clubs in the Australian Football League could trade and recruit players during and following the completion of the 2021 AFL season.
The National Draft returned to being a two day event in 2021, after being held on a single night in 2020.
After coming 18th in the 2021 AFL season, the North Melbourne Football Club held the number one draft pick in the National draft for the first time, selecting midfielder Jason Horne-Francis.

2021 mid-season rookie draft

The mid-season draft was held after the conclusion of Round 11 of the 2021 AFL season on 2 June. The draft was only open to clubs with inactive players on their list and vacancies available, such as long term injuries or retirements.

Previous trades

Since 2015, clubs have been able to trade future picks in the next year's national draft during the trade period. As a result, a total of 30 selections for the 2021 draft were traded during the 2020 trade period. Further trades of future picks can be made before or during the 2020 national draft. The selection order for each of these picks is tied to the original club's finishing position in the 2021 season.

	New Club	Acquired via
1		Pick swap at the 2020 National Draft
1		Pick swap
1		Pick swap at the 2020 National Draft
2		Pick swap at the 2020 National Draft
2		Jack Higgins trade
2		via on-traded to
2		Jeremy Cameron trade
2		Adam Treloar trade
2		Pick swap
2		via on-traded to
2		Pick swap
3		Oleg Markov trade
3		Pick swap at the 2020 National Draft
3		Pick swap at the 2020 National Draft
3		via on-traded to
3		Pick swap at the 2020 National Draft
3		Alex Witherden trade
3		Tom Hickey trade
3		Mitch Hannan trade
3		Orazio Fantasia trade
3		via on-traded to on-traded to
4		via on-traded to
4		Pick swap
4		via on-traded to
4		via on-traded to
4		Pick swap
4		Peter Wright trade
4		via on-traded to
4		via on-traded to
4		via on-traded to on-traded to

Player movements

Free agency

Player	Free agent type	Recruited from	New club	Compensation	Ref
	Unrestricted			3rd round
	Unrestricted			End of 2nd round
	Restricted			End of 2nd round
	Unrestricted			-
	Unrestricted			-
	Delisted
	Delisted
	Delisted
	Delisted
	Delisted

Sam Skinner was delisted by in 2020
Tyson Stengle was delisted by during the 2021 pre-season

List changes

Retirements

R	Rookie listed player
B	Category B Rookie listed player

Name	Club

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Delistings

R	Rookie listed player
B	Category B Rookie listed player

Name	Club

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2021 national draft

Rookie elevations

Clubs were able to promote any player who was listed on their rookie list in 2021 to their 2022 primary playing list prior to the draft.

Player	Club