10 players putting their hands up to fill vacant list spots at AFL clubs during Supplementary Selection Period
More than 10 AFL clubs are weighing up whether to sign rookies during the supplementary selection period, including several hardluck stories from the draft.
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The recruitment window is set to re-open on Wednesday as the Supplementary Selection Period begins.
Overlooked draft prospects and delisted AFL players will be hoping for another opportunity as 11 clubs – Adelaide, Carlton, Collingwood, Essendon, Melbourne, North Melbourne, Port Adelaide, Richmond, St Kilda, Sydney and the Western Bulldogs – weigh up how to fill vacant list spots.
Clubs can sign players between January 6 and March 9 or keep positions available for the June 2 mid-season rookie draft.
With no second-tier football in Victoria last year, shortened seasons in other states and smaller list sizes, there should be plenty of talent available.
Here are 10 players who will be putting their hands up over the next few months:
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1. Kaine Baldwin
Many observers believed the pack-crashing Glenelg forward would have been a top-10 selection if not for consecutive anterior cruciate ligament injuries. The 18-year-old has moved to the Gold Coast for study and will play for the Suns’ under-19 academy squad in the NAB League. Although he is not due to return to the field until April or May, Baldwin will be tough to overlook if he shows he is over his knee issues.
2. Zavier Maher
Considered one of the unluckiest players of the draft, Maher is training with Carlton but will be on the radar of other clubs. Like all Victorian prospects, the inside midfielder missed the 2020 campaign due to coronavirus, but in 2019 he shone at Caulfield Grammar, where he won the best and fairest, showcasing his speed and power, and also played six games for Murray Bushrangers.
3. Henry Walsh
Walsh is another victim of clubs’ push towards recruiting mature-age ruckmen, rather than drafting 18-year-old big men. The brother of Carlton star Sam Walsh was expected to again lead Geelong Falcons’ ruck last year before COVID struck. Clubs that are keen on him may want to get in first because if he starts the new campaign well, they may have to join a queue.
4. Jackson Callow
The 193cm swingman is mobile and takes a strong mark but is awaiting an opportunity. Callow has more than held his own the past two years playing against men for North Launceston in the Tasmanian State League. He kicked nine goals and was named in the best three times last season and booted three in the grand final to help his side prevail in 2019.
5. Oliver Davis
Another Tasmanian, Davis is a midfield bull who has impressed for Clarence in the Tasmanian State League. He was the winner of Tasmanian Devils’ best and fairest in the NAB League in 2019 despite being a bottom-ager.
6. Liam Kolar
Was tipped to be a draft bolter and was linked to the Crows with their fourth pick (No. 28) but instead was overlooked completely. At 195cm, Kolar is a soccer convert and junior national athletics carnival winner who is known for his versatility.
7. Sam Collins
The Tasmanian mid-sized defender known for his intercept marking was snubbed in last month’s drafts. Standing 188cm, he has been likened to Geelong’s Tom Stewart and boasts clean hands and neat disposal. Could suit a swag of clubs.
8. Oscar McDonald
Probably the favourite to fill the vacant list spot at Carlton, where he is training alongside Maher and Callum Moore. A Demons backline regular from 2016-18, playing all three finals in that latter season, McDonald, 24, managed just seven appearances last campaign and was axed. He would provide experienced cover for Jacob Weitering and Liam Jones.
9. Derek Eggmolesse-Smith
Up there with the most surprising delistings after playing six games last year, but he is in the running to get a second chance at Richmond. The 22-year-old showed his wares at half-back in Bachar Houli’s absence and received two Brownlow Medal votes for a 23-disposal performance against North Melbourne in Round 7. Has too much upside to not be on a list this coming season.
10. Flynn Appleby
Looks like the 21-year-old mid-sized defender is in a two-horse race for North Melbourne’s sole available list spot, as one of the club’s train-on players, along with ex-Brisbane swingman Sam Skinner. Appleby played 11 games for the Magpies, including one last year, and would add depth to a North Melbourne side needing it.
Originally published as 10 players putting their hands up to fill vacant list spots at AFL clubs during Supplementary Selection Period
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