THE AFL has confirmed it has delayed the start of this year's free agency and trade period.

The League had decided to shift the start of the exchange period from the Monday after the Grand Final to four days later, on the Friday after the premiership decider.

This week the AFL officially announced the change, with the free agency period to open on Friday, October 4. It will run to October 25.

The move was made to allow the teams competing in the Grand Final to have time to prepare for the player movement, and for clubs to focus on the NAB AFL Draft Combine.

The AFL also confirmed the NAB AFL Rookie Draft had been pushed forward by almost three weeks.

It will be held on Wednesday, November 26, less than a week after the NAB AFL Draft. In between, a small free agency window will be open from Friday, November 22 to Monday, November 25.

Clubs had lobbied for the gap between the two drafts to be shortened so they could complete their lists at an earlier date.