AFL News: Final verdict on all the off-season moves at every club
Two players have been given lifelines at a new club on day one of the supplemental selection period. Our experts review every club’s ins and outs and where your team is placed.
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Alastair Clarkson has lured one of his trusty lieutenants out of retirement with Liam Shiels officially becoming a Kangaroo.
The three-time Hawthorn premiership midfielder has joined North Melbourne under the pre-season Supplemental Selection Period rule.
Shiels walked away from the game in August after 255 games in 14 seasons with the Hawks.
But the 31-year-old has been convinced to go around again to help his former coach rebuild the Roos.
A spot on North’s list became available after draftee Brayden George was moved to the inactive list as he recovers from an ACL injury suffered while playing for the Murray Bushrangers in August.
Shiels becomes the 11th new player added to the Roos list and joins former teammate Daniel Howe, who was claimed by the Roos in last week’s rookie draft.
Former Melbourne wingman Oskar Baker officially joined the Western Bulldogs on Monday as a delisted free agent.
Baker, 24, was dumped by the Demons after 15 games in five seasons.
“Oskar comes to us with really exciting attributes that complement the current make up of our midfield,” Bulldogs list manager Sam Power said.
“We felt it was important to add more speed to the group, particularly on the wing, and think Oskar will make an immediate impact.”
Former North Melbourne midfielder Jed Anderson is also set to find a new home at the Gold Coast Suns.
Anderson, 28, played 89 games for the Roos across seven seasons, including 14 in 2022 after a delayed start to the season.
Former Port Adelaide father-son draftee Trent Burgoyne is training with Melbourne.
Burgoyne, the son of Power legend Peter, was delisted by Port at the end of 2021 after two seasons at Alberton.
The Demons are one of nine clubs who still have a rookie/supplementary spot available on their list. Gold Coast and St Kilda have two.
Former Carlton defender Liam Stocker is chasing a lifeline at the Saints.
Here to set a new standard.
— North Melbourne FC (@NMFCOfficial) December 5, 2022
Triple-premiership player Liam Shiels has put pen to paper with the Roos âœï¸
With a busy free agency, trade and draft period over, club lists are lodged for season 2023.
Many clubs still have a vacant list spot or two, which they can fill during the pre-season supplemental selection period if they choose.
However, the bulk of the year-on-year list changes have already been made.
We’ve taken a look at every club’s full list of ins and outs to see if they look like being better off or worse off in the immediate future next year.
ADELAIDE
IN: Izak Rankine (Gold Coast), Max Michalanney (draft), Billy Dowling (draft), Hugh Bond (draft)
OUT: Billy Frampton (Collingwood), Luke Brown (retired), James Rowe (delisted), Ben Davis (delisted), Brett Turner (delisted)
Available list spots: 0
The Crows brought in a gun South Australian for the second year in a row with Rankine arriving from the Suns. Father-son Michalanney can play on both tall and small forwards and adds to the Crows defensive stocks after Frampton’s trade and Brown’s retirement. The Crows made two trades to come back into the draft and swooped in on a ball accumulator in Dowling and the hard-nosed Bond who has also impressed with his leadership skills. No real losses for the Crows although Rowe’s delisting after playing 36 games over the past two years did raise some eyebrows.
VERDICT: List improved for 2023
BRISBANE
IN: Josh Dunkley (trade), Jack Gunston (trade), Will Ashcroft (draft), Jaspa Fletcher (draft), Shadeau Brain (category B rookie), Daryl McDowell-White Jnr (category B rookie)
OUT: Daniel McStay (free agency), Mitch Robinson (retired), Tom Berry (trade), Mitchell Cox (delisted), Connor McFadyen (delisted), Ely Smith (delisted), Deividas Uosis (delisted)
Available list spots: 1
The Lions were one of the big winners of the trade and draft period and have set themselves up for a serious crack at a premiership in 2023. Securing reigning Western Bulldogs best and fairest Dunkley during the trade period was a major coup which will boost an already strong midfield brigade. Gunston will help fill the void left by McStay’s defection to Collingwood, while father-son rules allowed Brisbane to match bids on a pair of top-12 draft prospects in Ashcroft and Fletcher. Both look capable of playing senior football next year, with coach Chris Fagan suggesting before the draft that Ashcroft would have even been in line for a senior game this season had he been available.
VERDICT: List improved for 2023
CARLTON
IN: Blake Acres (Fremantle), Oliver Hollands (draft), Lachie Cowan (draft), Jaxon Binns (draft), Harry Lemmey (draft)
OUT: Will Setterfield (Essendon), Will Hayes (delisted), Oscar McDonald (delisted), Jack Newnes (delisted), Luke Parks (delisted), Liam Stocker (delisted), Tom Williamson (delisted)
Available list spots: 1
The Blues have added the outside speed they need to overcome the devastation of missing out on finals on the final day of the Home And Away season. Acres arrives from Fremantle for just a third-round pick, while the Blues snapped up elite runner Hollands with their first pick of the draft and they could combine early for Carlton on the wings. Cowan could also provide plenty of run out of defence while Lemmey could be a steal if he rediscovers the form that had him spoken about as a top five pick earlier this year.
VERDICT: List improved for 2023
COLLINGWOOD
IN: Daniel McStay (Brisbane), Tom Mitchell (Hawthorn), Bobby Hill (GWS), Billy Frampton (Adelaide), Ed Allan (draft), Jakob Ryan (draft), Joe Richards (draft),
OUT: Brodie Grundy (Melbourne), Ollie Henry (Geelong), Jordan Roughead (retired), Callum Brown (delisted), Tyler Brown (delisted), Isaac Chugg (delisted), Liam McMahon (delisted)
Available list spots: 2
The Magpies did lose two time All-Australian ruckman Grundy for unders but got the bulk of his salary off their books. And they used this to address some key areas of need. Mitchell provides a clearance-winning ability to the midfield while could McStay be the key forward the Pies have been looking for? The Pies struck gold on draft night when Allan slipped to their first pick and then Ryan, who they were linked with, was still available at their second pick. Richards, a schoolteacher in country Victoria, was the feel good story of the draft so he will be one to watch for the Pies.
VERDICT: List improved for 2023
ESSENDON
IN: Alwyn Davey (draft), Jayden Davey (draft), Lewis Hayes (draft), Rhett Montgomerie (Central District), Anthony Munkara (category B rookie), Will Setterfield (Carlton), Elijah Tsatas (draft), Sam Weideman (Melbourne)
OUT: Cody Brand (delisted), Tom Cutler (delisted), Josh Eyre (delisted), Aaron Francis (Sydney), Brayden Ham (delisted), Tom Hird (delisted), Michael Hurley (retired), Garrett McDonagh (delisted), Devon Smith (retired), Alec Waterman (delisted)
Available list spots: 1
The Bombers did not lose any stars, nor bring in any high-profiled recruits, keeping an eye on the future in the process. Big-bodied midfielder Setterfield and key forward Weideman have struggled for opportunities at their previous clubs but could become regulars at Essendon by filling needs. The Bombers’ draft haul was full of speedy line breakers who should excite the club’s supporters for years to come. Montgomerie is a mature-age defender who may be able to help new coach Brad Scott immediately. Munkara has immense talent but is still something of a punt due to his lack of football this season. Hurley was a tremendous servant, though played just once in the past two seasons. These list changes should help the Bombers long-term.
VERDICT: List neutral for 2023
FREMANTLE
IN: Josh Corbett (Gold Coast), Hugh Davies (draft), Tom Emmett (draft), Luke Jackson (Melbourne), Max Knobel (draft), Jaeger O’Meara (Hawthorn), Liam Reidy (Frankston VFL), Corey Wagner (draft)
OUT: Blake Acres (Carlton), Connor Blakely (delisted), Mitch Crowden (delisted) Rory Lobb (Western Bulldogs), Griffin Logue (North Melbourne), Lloyd Meek (Hawthorn), David Mundy (retired), Darcy Tucker (North Melbourne), Joel Western (delisted)
Available list spots: 1
Jackson and O’Meara are eye-catching additions, but the Dockers’ depth has taken a hit since the end of last season. Acres, Lobb, Logue and Mundy all played in the semi-final loss to Collingwood, while Tucker offered handy depth and lined up in 14 matches in 2022. Versatile and just 24, Logue looms as the biggest loss of those traded, but Mundy’s experience will be missed. Conversely, Jackson’s arrival was a coup for the club and he should form a brilliant ruck tandem with Sean Darcy, as well as provide a handy attacking foil. O’Meara offers leadership is essentially a Mundy replacement. Corbett, who has played 36 games during the past four seasons, adds forward depth but struggle to get in Fremantle’s best 22.
VERDICT: List neutral for 2023
GEELONG
IN: Ollie Henry (Collingwood), Jack Bowes (Gold Coast), Tanner Bruhn (GWS), Jhye Clark (draft), Phoenix Foster (draft), Oscar Murdoch (rookie), Oscar Riccardi (rookie), Oisin Mullin (category B rookie), Ted Clohesy (category B rookie)
OUT: Joel Selwood (retired), Luke Dahlhaus (retired), Shaun Higgins (retired), Cooper Stephens (trade), Francis Evans (delisted), Quinton Narkle (delisted), Nick Stevens (delisted), Paul Tsapatolis (delisted), Zane Williams (delisted)
Available list spots: 1
When you have an outs list headlined by this year’s premiership captain in Selwood, it is hard to say your list has improved. However, the Cats have certainly added plenty of young talent who could help take them to another flag in the years to come. Henry played 15 games for Collingwood this year and showed what a talent he is at the attacking end, while Bowes was a top-10 draft pick for Gold Coast in 2016 and that trade came bundled with the top-10 pick the Cats used on a player they hope will become the next Selwood in Clark. Riccardi is the son of 288-game Cats champion Peter and has plenty of development left in him but has shown some promise.
VERDICT: List neutral for 2023
GOLD COAST
IN: Ben Long (St Kilda), Tom Berry (Brisbane), Bailey Humphrey (draft), Connor Blakely (Fremantle – rookie), Jake Stein (GWS – rookie)
OUT: Izak Rankine (Adelaide), Jack Bowes (Gold Coast), Josh Corbett (Fremantle), Matt Conroy (delisted), Jez McLennan (delisted), Patrick Murtagh (delisted), Rhys Nicholls (delisted)
Available list spots: 4
Trading Bowes and what was pick No. 7 to Geelong was required because of the Suns salary cap issues but it is a hard one to make an argument for Gold Coast. Rankine going to the Crows, when he looked to be emerging as a star small forward of the competition, will also hurt a lot. The Suns did bring in Humphrey, who they are big fans of, and then brought in some experienced bodies in the rookie draft through Blakely and Stein to add to Long arriving during the trade period. But it will be the Bowes and pick 7 trade to Geelong that this off-season period will be known for.
VERDICT: List has gone backwards for 2023
GWS GIANTS
IN: Toby Bedford (Melbourne), Aaron Cadman (draft), Harry Rowston (draft), Darcy Jones (draft), Max Gruzewski (draft), Toby McMullin (draft), Nick Madden (category b rookie), Jason Gillbee (category b rookie)
OUT: Tim Taranto (Richmond), Jacob Hopper (Richmond), Tanner Bruhn (Geelong), Bobby Hill (Collingwood), Matt de Boer (retired), Jarrod Brander (delisted), Zach Sproule (delisted), Jake Stein (delisted)
Available list spots: 0
The Giants again lost more established players with Taranto and Hopper going to Richmond, and Bruhn requested a trade to the Cats after just the two years in Sydney. Getting the No. 1 pick of the draft through a huge trade with North Melbourne, West Coast and Port Adelaide did soften some of the blow. The Giants took Cadman with the pick and he can fill the hole left by Jeremy Cameron. But the Giants were blindsided by rivals Sydney on the first night of the draft, making them having to pay up on Academy prospect Rowston.
VERDICT: List has gone backwards for 2023
HAWTHORN
IN: Karl Amon (Port Adelaide), Lloyd Meek (Fremantle), Cooper Stephens (Geelong), Cameron Mackenzie (draft), Josh Weddle (draft), Henry Hustwaite (draft), Jack O’Sullivan (draft), Bailey MacDonald (draft), Josh Bennetts (category B rookie)
OUT: Ben McEvoy (retired), Liam Shiels (retired), Jack Gunston (Brisbane), Tom Mitchell (Collingwood), Jaeger O’Meara (Fremantle), Jackson Callow (delisted), Kyle Hartigan (delisted), Daniel Howe (delisted), Tom Phillips (delisted), Jack Saunders (delisted)
Available list spots: 1
It is a case of potentially some more short-term pain in search of long-term gain for Sam Mitchell’s Hawks. The club was bold in happily moving on prime midfielders Mitchell and O’Meara, as well as experienced forward Gunston. Mitchell and O’Meara played 42 of a possible 44 games between them this year and Gunston was the club’s third-highest goalkicker with 32 majors. Free agent pick up Amon will add some run and class, while former Cats midfielder Stephens has plenty of potential. The Hawks were thrilled with their draft haul, headlined by ball-winning onballer Mackenzie and athletic key defender Weddle. Expect both to play some senior football in 2023.
VERDICT: List has gone backwards for 2023
MELBOURNE
IN: Brodie Grundy (Collingwood), Josh Schache (Western Bulldogs), Lachie Hunter (Western Bulldogs), Matthew Jefferson (draft), Jed Adams (draft), Will Verrall (draft), Oliver Sestan (draft), Kyah Farris-White (category b rookie)
OUT: Luke Jackson (Fremantle), Jayden Hunt (West Coast), Toby Bedford (GWS), Sam Weideman (Essendon), Fraser Rosman (delisted), Oskar Baker (delisted), Mitch Brown (retired), Majak Daw (retired)
Available list spots: 1
The Demons might have lost one of the most promising young players in the game when Jackson sought a trade home to Western Australia but they did get a two-time All-Australian in Grundy on the cheap. It is going to be fascinating to see how Grundy and captain Max Gawn can coexist in the Demons side. The Demons were also able to get Hunter and Schache from the Bulldogs for not a lot at all, and they could play a role in another premiership tilt for Simon Goodwin’s side. In the draft they looked for the future at either end of the ground.
Verdict: List improved for 2023
NORTH MELBOURNE
IN: Griffin Logue (Fremantle), Darcy Tucker (Fremantle), Harry Sheezel (draft), George Wardlaw (draft), Brayden George (draft), Cooper Harvey (draft), Blake Drury (rookie), Hamish Free (rookie), Daniel Howe (Hawthorn – rookie), Liam Shiels (SSP)
OUT: Jason Horne-Francis (Port Adelaide), Tom Lynch (retired), Jed Anderson (delisted), Atu Bosenavulagi (delisted), Kyron Hayden (delisted), Matt McGuinness (delisted), Jared Polec (delisted), Josh Walker (delisted), Patrick Walker (delisted)
Available list spots: 0
The Roos again heavily invested in the draft this year and are “pretty buoyant” about some of the talent they now have on their list. The loss of last year’s No. 1 draft pick during the trade period – Horne-Francis – was a blow, but the Roos went on to secure two other top-four picks in this year’s draft in Sheezel and Wardlaw. Sheezel is a forward with plenty of X-Factor who will provide a spark in attack, while Wardlaw is a defensively-minded midfielder who wins plenty of contested ball. Former Dockers key defender Logue will instantly improve a defence that was under siege this year, while Tucker is a capable midfielder-forward. Recently retired Hawthorn midfielder Liam Shiels is set to make a comeback and join the club through the supplemental selection period.
VERDICT: List improved for 2023
PORT ADELAIDE
IN: Francis Evans (Geelong), Jason Horne-Francis (North Melbourne), Junior Rioli (West Coast), Kyle Marshall (draft), Tom McCallum (draft), Tom Scully (draft)
OUT: Karl Amon (Hawthorn), Marty Frederick (delisted), Robbie Gray (retired), Sam Mayes (delisted), Steven Motlop (retired), Taj Schofield (delisted), Sam Skinner (delisted)
Available list spots: 0
The Power’s list looks better than last season, but only just. Amon has been a very good player for several years and Gray is a champion, albeit one past his best, battling a knee issue. But the additions of Horne-Francis and Rioli help solve some squad holes. South Adelaide product Horne-Francis boosts the club’s young talent and midfield stocks as a powerful, uber competitive on-baller with immense talent. The 2021 No. 1 draft pick should be much better for being back in SA in a finals contending-team. Rioli goes some way to replacing Gray’s goal smarts and forward craft. High half-forward was a problem area for the club last season, hence the recruitment of seven-game Cat Evans for that spot too. The Power will be hoping Miles Bergman, Xavier Duursma, Josh Sinn or Riley Bonner can fill Amon’s wing role.
VERDICT: List improved for 2023
RICHMOND
IN: Seth Campbell (rookie), Jacob Hopper (GWS), Kaleb Smith (draft), Steely Green (draft), Tim Taranto (GWS), Tylar Young (Richmond VFL)
OUT: Jake Aarts (delisted), Josh Caddy (retired), Riley Collier-Dawkins (delisted), Shane Edwards (retired), Kane Lambert (retired), Will Martyn (delisted), Matthew Parker (delisted), Sydney Stack (delisted)
Available list spots: 1
As good as Edwards, Lambert and Caddy have been for the club, Richmond has certainly improved its list during the off-season, headlined by the arrivals of GWS duo Hopper and Taranto. Coming into in the prime of their careers at the ages of 25 and 24 respectively, they will help the Tigers restock their midfield as Trent Cotchin and Dion Prestia get closer to retirement, and keep the club in the premiership window. Recruiting them meant a weak draft hand, where they targeted speed via rebounding defender Smith and aggressive onballer Green. Edwards’ class and Lambert’s consistency will be missed. But they were beyond their best last season.
VERDICT: List improved for 2023
ST KILDA
IN: Zaine Cordy (Western Bulldogs), Mattaes Phillipou (draft), James Van Es (draft), Olli Hotton (draft), Isaac Keeler (draft), Angus McLeannan (category B rookie)
OUT: Paddy Ryder (retired), Jarryn Geary (retired), Dan Hannebery (retired), Dean Kent (retired), Ben Long (Gold Coast), Darragh Joyce (delisted), Jarrod Lienert (delisted)
Available list spots: 2
The Saints haven’t lost too much over the off-season. Of the departures, only Long (19 games), Ryder (12 games) and Lienert (11 games) featured in more than three this year. With Ryder gone, the club is confident Rowan Marshall can flourish in the No. 1 ruck role which he now won’t have to share. While the Saints copped some flack when they signed Bulldogs premiership defender Cordy, they didn’t give up anything to secure the free agent. Chris Toce looks to have nailed his first draft as national recruiting manager. Many rated Phillipou a top-five talent, while Van Es fills a need for another key defender and Keeler has drawn some comparisons to a young Ryder. Former Carlton defender Liam Stocker is training with the club in the hope of becoming an SSP recruit.
VERDICT: List neutral for 2023
SYDNEY
IN: Aaron Francis (Essendon), Jacob Konstanty (draft), Cooper Vickery (draft), Caleb Mitchell (draft), Cameron Owen (rookie), Jaiden Magor (rookie), Will Edwards (category B rookie)
OUT: Josh Kennedy (retired), Callum Sinclair (retired), Colin O’Riordan (retired), James Bell (delisted), Sam Naismith (delisted), Barry O’Connor (delisted), Ben Ronke (delisted), Lewis Taylor (delisted)
Available list spots: 1
The Swans already had a talented young list, which has received another boost in the form of three top-40 draft picks this year. Veteran midfielder Kennedy (11 games) is the only player on the outs list who played a significant chunk of the season for Sydney in its charge to the Grand Final this year. A former top-10 draft pick, Francis will be able to provide some key position flexibility if the Swans are able to maximise his talents. Top draftee Konstanty is a clever small forward, while Vickery is a versatile small defender or wingman who has plenty of pace.
VERDICT: List neutral for 2023
WEST COAST
IN: Harry Barnett (draft), Coby Burgiel (draft), Reuben Ginbey (draft), Elijah Hewett (draft), Jayden Hunt (Melbourne), Noah Long (draft)
OUT: Hugh Dixon (delisted), Tom Joyce (delisted), Josh Kennedy (retired),Zac Langdon (delisted), Patrick Naish (delisted), Jack Redden (retired),Junior Rioli (Port Adelaide)
Available list spots: 0
The Eagles needed to improve their young talent and so they attacked the draft by adding four players inside the top 30, including first-rounders Ginbey and Hewett. Both WA products, Ginbey and Hewett are different types of players, but exciting midfield prospects. Barnett was considered the best ruckman in the draft pool and viewed as a long-term replacement for Nic Naitanui. Hunt will provide West Coast with much-needed dash. But looking squarely at 2023, Kennedy, Redden and Rioli are outs that hurt the Eagles.
VERDICT: List has gone backwards for 2023
WESTERN BULLDOGS
IN: Jedd Busslinger (draft), Charlie Clarke (draft), Harvey Gallagher (draft), Liam Jones (free agent), Rory Lobb (Fremantle), Oskar Baker (SSP)
OUT: Louis Butler (delisted), Zaine Cordy (St Kilda), Josh Dunkley (Brisbane), Lachie Hunter (Melbourne), Stefan Martin (retired), Charlie Parker (delisted), Josh Schache (Melbourne), Mitch Wallis (delisted)
Available list spots: 1
On Monday the Dogs filled one of their two vacant list spots by signing delisted Demon Oskar Baker on day one of the pre-season supplemental selection period. The loss of best-and-fairest winner Dunkley was a significant blow, given his consistency and two-way running. Hunter’s departure also weakened what was one of the league’s deepest midfields. Jones helps solve some key defensive issues, but it will be interesting to see how he goes after not playing AFL since 2021, particularly given he will be 32 by the time the season starts. Lobb is coming off a career-best campaign and will provide a much more versatile ruck option than Martin to support Tim English. Key defender Busslinger is an ideal draft target for a club that has typically been undersized in the backline. Do not expect Schache or Cordy’s departures to be felt, but can they make up for the loss of Dunkley and make another flag push? Time will tell.
VERDICT: List has gone backwards for 2023
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