AFL list changes 2022: Every trade, free agency move, retirement and delisting
Collingwood and Essendon have announced more delistings following a cleanout at North Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs. See all your club’s list changes here.
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Collingwood has delisted Jack Madgen and Caleb Poulter to leave the Magpies with up to five list vacancies ahead of the draft and delisted free agency periods in November.
In a related move, they also cut 2021 draftee Cooper Murley, who is contracted for next season, but are committed to selecting him in the rookie draft unless a rival club gets in first.
Madgen, a former basketballer with NBL club Cairns Taipans and US college team Delta State University, joined Collingwood as a category B rookie in 2017.
Collingwood was one of three clubs to announce delistings on Tuesday, with Essendon releasing Cody Brand, Brayden Ham and Alec Waterman and St Kilda not offering Jarrod Lienert another contract.
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Madgen, 29, played 49 games across five seasons but only nine this year, in large part because of two injury setbacks – a dislocated shoulder in May then a fractured thumb two months later.
Poulter, 20, made a bright start to his AFL career, playing 11 games last year in his debut season but fell out of favour and added just one more in 2022.
Collingwood’s head of football, Graham Wright, thanked Madgen and Poulter for their contribution.
“‘Madge’ has faced injury challenges this year and his positive attitude and resilience should be commended,” Wright said.
“Caleb showed potential at AFL level over the past two seasons. He is still in the formative years of his career and has worked hard to develop his craft in the VFL.
“We wish both Madge and Caleb all the best with their future endeavours.”
The delistings follow the Pies’ exchange period raid, where they signed Dan McStay as an unrestricted free agent and traded for Bobby Hill, Billy Frampton and Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell.
They also sent Brodie Grundy to Melbourne in a salary cap-driven move and granted Ollie Henry’s wish to join his brother Jack at Geelong.
If Murley is retained, Collingwood still has four primary or category A rookie spots to fill and can sign one category B rookie as well.
Clubs can have as many as 44 footballers, comprising between 36 and 38 on the primary list, four to six category A rookies and up to two category B rookies.
Surprise names axed as Clarko cull continues
The North Melbourne clean-out under incoming coach Alastair Clarkson has continued, with Jed Anderson and leadership group member Kayne Turner among four players delisted on Monday.
Veteran Josh Walker and Atu Bosenavulagi, who joined the club from Collingwood at the start of 2021, were the other two players released from the wooden spooners who also lost No.1 draft pick Jason Horne-Francis during the trade period.
Turner, who was a member of the North leadership group for the past two seasons, was named best clubman in 2021 and played every game in 2022, but was still cut after playing 114 games for the Kangaroos.
Anderson, who attracted interest from the Gold Coast during the recent trade period but didn’t make a move, is stranded on 99 games after joining North from Hawthorn, where he played 10 games in three seasons under Clarkson, who remains on voluntary leave amid an investigation into allegations of historical racism.
List and recruiting manager, Brady Rawlings, said the club needed to open up four list sports for the upcoming draft in which North has picks two and three, as well as 40, 43 and 59.
“List management decisions are never easy, but they must be made in the best interests of our club,” Rawlings said.
“We require four primary list spots for the upcoming AFL national draft which means we have had to make some difficult decisions.
“In saying that, given the strength of character of the players delisted, there is potential for one or two of these guys to be considered for a spot on our rookie list in 2023.
“Jed, Atu, Kayne and Josh all made significant contributions to our football club over a number of years. We wish them well for the future, they will always be welcome at North Melbourne.”
Bosenavulagi, who crossed from the Magpies with Jaiden Stephenson, played 17 games in two seasons at North, including nine this season.
Walker played 54 of his 139 games at North, having started his career at Geelong and also spending time at the Brisbane Lions.
The Kangaroos has already delisted Kyron Hayden, Matt McGuinness and Patrick Walker while Tom Lynch retired without playing a game at North after being a late addition to the 2022 list.
DELISTED DOG KEEN TO FIND A NEW HOME
Former vice-captain of the Western Bulldogs Mitch Wallis has said he is open to moving interstate to continue his AFL career after he was delisted by the club where his father also played.
It comes as Stefan Martin called time on his 15-year career.
The Bulldogs announced on Monday that Wallis, a “heart and soul veteran”, would depart after 12 seasons at the club.
Wallis, 29, played 162 games for the club at which his father Stephen is a legend.
This allowed him to be selected by the Bulldogs as a father-son prospect with pick 22 in the 2010 draft.
After making his debut in 2011, Wallis became a staple of the Bulldogs midfield.
He then moved into the forward line in the latter part of his career, kicking the most goals for the club in 2020 with 25.
But despite being vice-captain Wallis only managed the six appearances in 2021 and then only had the five this year.
Despite the way it ended Wallis said he had a lot of gratitude towards the Bulldogs.
“Playing for the red, white and blue was a childhood dream and this club has been my second home for more than a decade.
“Despite the disappointment of finishing at the Bulldogs, I will weigh up what comes next for me over the coming weeks.
“I wouldn’t be the person I am today without the support of many people at the Bulldogs and their guidance, particularly over the past 12 months, and it’s something I will always cherish.
“I’ve got so many wonderful memories and friendships that I take with me, and I will be forever grateful to run out onto Marvel Stadium in front of the amazing Bulldogs fans.”
Speaking about the decision on SEN on Monday, Wallis said it came as a shock.
“I only played a handful of games this year but I thought that I turned it around before the injury,” he said.
Wallis said he would be prepared to move interstate to continue his career, saying he still had “a burning desire” to play at AFL level.
“I’m open to all offers and all ideas,” he said.
“I’d love to play on but let’s see how that goes.”
Senior Coach Luke Beveridge said Wallis had made a big impact at the Bulldogs.
“Mitch has been a highly respected and professional Bulldogs person from the day he arrived. He has poured his heart and soul into his football,” Beveridge said.
“He has been a committed and supportive club man and an influential leader, having experienced the honour of being vice-captain.
“Unfortunately, he has been held back with injury at times, which has hindered his continuity and ability to influence on the field.
“Mitch has forged intimate bonds with all at our club. We look forward to continuing our strong relationship with him whatever comes next.
“I would like to thank Mitch personally for being a great support for everyone at the club, and we wish him, Emily, Charlotte and William all the best for the future.”
It comes as Martin, 35, announced his retirement after 15 seasons in the AFL.
Originally a basketballer, Martin made the switch to footy at 19.
He first entered the system as a mature-age pre-season Draft selection in 2007 for Melbourne, and finished as a club best and fairest winner at Brisbane and 200-game player.
He hangs up the boots with 203 games to his name, 57 with Melbourne, 133 for the Brisbane Lions and 13 for the Bulldogs.
He said he was extremely proud of his career.
“After being a late starter to the game of AFL, to play 200 AFL games is something I’m enormously proud of,” he said.
“I leave the game with so many happy memories, strong bonds, lifelong friendships, and the knowledge that the game has made me a better person.
“I can finish up knowing that I gave absolutely everything I had, and I hope I was able to leave a positive impact on the three clubs I represented, and the team-mates I played alongside.”
The Bulldogs have also delisted Louis Butler and Charlie Parker.
Four Tigers axed hours after trade deadline
Richmond has delisted four players, including Sydney Stack and Riley Collier-Dawkins.
After a big trade period for the Tigers, in which they lured Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper, they have informed four players that they will not receive contracts for the 2023 season.
As well as Stack and Collier-Dawkins, Jake Aarts and Will Martyn have also been delisted by the Tigers.
Stack, 22, was selected as a supplemental signing in the 2019 pre-season after he moved across from Western Australia.
He was labelled as one of the biggest steals in draft history, but in 2020 he was banned for 10 games after an incident outside a Gold Coast kebab shop in the early hours, when he and teammate Callum Coleman-Jones should have been in the Tigers’ hub.
He was then held on remand in Perth’s Hakea Prison in December 2020 for breaching Western Australia’s strict Covid-19 restrictions.
These incidents contributed to Stack playing just the 18 games in the three seasons that followed his 17-game debut campaign.
Collier-Dawkins played 11 matches for the Tigers across four seasons, and featured in Richmond’s 2019 VFL premiership along with Stack.
Aarts was drafted to the Tigers in the 2019 rookie draft after playing with their VFL team and played 42 games across four seasons, kicking 34 goals.
Martyn was selected at pick 44 in the 2019 draft and played three AFL games this year.
He also received the Guinane Medal as the Tigers VFL best-and-fairest in 2022.
Richmond’s list boss Blair Hartley thanked all the players.
“We appreciated the hard work and commitment that Jake, Sydney, Will, and Riley put in across multiple years with us,” he said.
“Each have played their part in our recent success, and we wish them all well for the future.”
Meanwhile, Melbourne has delisted utility Oskar Baker.
The 24-year-old played 15 matches for the Demons after he made his debut in 2019.
“These decisions and conversations are always difficult, and we would like to thank Oskar for his unwavering commitment to our program over the last five years,” Melbourne list manager Tim Lamb said.
“We would like to wish Oskar well for the next phase of his career.”
KEY LIST DATES
Friday September 30 – Free Agency period opens
Monday October 3 – Trade Period begins
Friday October 7 – Free Agency period closes
Wednesday October 12 – Trade Period ends (7.30pm deadline)
October 3-9 – Delisted Free Agency Period (1)
November 11-15 – Delisted Free Agency Period (2)
Monday November 28 – National Draft Day 1
Tuesday November 29 – National Draft Day 2
Wednesday November 30 – Pre-season and Rookie Drafts
Thursday December 1 – Final list lodgement
Note that trades involving players must be completed by October 12 but deals that involve draft picks only can be completed until 5pm on November 15.
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Originally published as AFL list changes 2022: Every trade, free agency move, retirement and delisting
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