The top 10 delisted players who deserve a second chance at AFL level
Players delisted by their clubs are now free to sign elsewhere until Sunday. But who should your club be looking at? Here’s the 10 best.
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It’s a brutal time of year, and this year even more so as clubs face further cuts to lists and salary caps.
As clubs move to name their post-2020 delistings, we take a look at the players we think would be worthy of another crack at the top level.
Who do you think deserves a second, third or even fourth chance? Have your say below.
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HEATH SHAW
A no-brainer for virtually any club should he decide he wants to play on. He declared after departing the Giants that he wouldn’t be going to North Melbourne to play under his brother Rhyce, but now that his sibling is no longer at the helm, could it be back on the cards? Any club with a young list would benefit.
Rolling one-year deals are the go for players like Shaw, and he might prefer it that way, too. It worked beautifully for Luke Hodge at Brisbane and adding the wealth of experience – and laughs – that Shaw would bring would no doubt have a few clubs thinking.
WHICH CLUBS MIGHT SUIT: North Melbourne, Gold Coast
LEWIS JETTA
Two premierships, 202 games. Those numbers speak for themselves and experience counts for plenty. His pace has always been a key asset and at 31, he could yet have a few years left in him yet.
His value on and off the field is evident — could he be a replacement for the hole in the speed out of defence left by Adam Saad at Essendon? It could do worse.
WHICH CLUBS MIGHT SUIT: Essendon, Melbourne, North Melbourne
JACOB TOWNSEND
After just one year at Essendon, the Richmond premiership player and former Giant was this week bid farewell from Tullamarine, but finding a fourth home shouldn’t be out of the question. His best year was the Tigers’ 2017 flag, kicking 16 goals in just five games, but can be a handy extra contributor in front of goal when called upon. Played 12 games in 2020.
WHICH CLUBS MIGHT SUIT: Gold Coast
POLL: Have your say below on which player you want at your club
OSCAR McDONALD
The former Demon was let go this week after six seasons and 81 games, with the arrival of Steven May and Jake Lever in recent years pushing him down the pecking order.
But he’s hopeful of finding a lifeline after a call he admitted this week “wasn’t completely unexpected”, and at the right club, could serve well as an added presence in defence.
WHICH CLUBS MIGHT SUIT: Carlton, Essendon, Fremantle
MAJAK DAW
You don’t endure a recovery like that if you’re not serious about playing elite-level football. He’s shown an ability to adapt across all positions on the ground, including a promising stint in defence.
Has all the hallmarks of a key backman, but can also pinch-hit in the ruck. Would be a very handy asset for the likes of the Western Bulldogs or Sydney.
WHICH CLUBS MIGHT SUIT: Western Bulldogs, Sydney, Gold Coast
BILLY GOWERS
From Carlton to the Bulldogs and then let go at the ripe age of just 24. While he has been denied regular senior opportunity in recent times, he could well thrive in a forward line that is supported by more experience. He’s keen to play on after ending “on great terms” at Whitten Oval after a year struggling to find form, but if he can rediscover it, he has real potential.
WHICH CLUBS MIGHT SUIT: Hawthorn, Essendon
MATTHEW SCHARENBERG
Ravaged by injury, the former Pie – who is just 25 years old – has been robbed of opportunity. Keen to play on, he could be an asset for a team looking for an extra defender.
He will attempt to kickstart his AFL career back home in Adelaide, but the likes of the Western Bulldogs or even Carlton could also be on the lookout for a player such as Scharenberg.
WHICH CLUBS MIGHT SUIT: Adelaide, Port Adelaide
MARTIN GLEESON
Let go by the Bombers, there had been hope that the defender could be in line for a contract extension for 2021. The Bombers have told Gleeson and teammate Dylan Clarke that the intention is for them to be reinstated on the rookie list should they be available for the AFL rookie draft, and rightly so. After a breakout 2017, Gleeson missed all of 2018 due to a foot injury and played 13 games in 2020. Could be a handy asset for a number of teams.
WHICH CLUBS MIGHT SUIT: Essendon, Carlton
POLL: Have your say below on which player you want at your club
MASON WOOD
The delisted former Roos forward is determined to win a spot on an AFL list after he was one of a raft of Kangaroos players let go last month. His running is a key asset and he told AFL.com.au this week that he was working hard physically in an effort to at least get a gig training with a club in the pre-season.
As clubs wait to learn what lists will look like, Wood declared he had “a point to prove”, but would pursue a VFL career if he isn’t taken at the top level. But tall forwards who are also capable in defence don’t grow on trees, meaning there could be a few potential suitors once list sizes are confirmed.
WHICH CLUBS MIGHT SUIT: Sydney, Hawthorn, Port Adelaide
RILEY KNIGHT
At just 25, Knight was delisted by the Crows last month. He took his leadership to a new level in 2020 as he recovered from an Achilles injury, mentoring young midfielders. He managed just one game in what has been a rollercoaster few years, but with more opportunity could recapture the game that is capable of catching eyes.
WHICH CLUBS MIGHT SUIT: Hawthorn, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Essendon
Originally published as The top 10 delisted players who deserve a second chance at AFL level
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