The VFL introduced an interstate player draft where each VFL side would be allowed to sign two interstate players based on the reverse order of where they had finished on the ladder. This replaced the old system of each club being given two "form four" interstate player recruits a year. South Australia initially refused to participate in the scheme, which restricted clearance payments for clubs to $40,000.
The inaugural draft was held on Tuesday 8 October 1981 at VFL House.
1981 VFL National Draft
| Selection | Player | From | Games |
| 1 | Alan Johnson | Perth | 135 |
| 13 | Danny Hughes | Port Adelaide | 124 |
Links
Big Footy (1)
Big Footy (2)
Media
Westside Football - 07/08/1981