AFL 2015: Seven players you may not realise are still on AFL lists

TAYTE Pears has surprised the footy world by re-signing with Essendon — and reminding everyone he’s still on an AFL list. And he’s not the only one.

VFL: Coburg V Essendon

ESSENDON has re-signed defender Tayte Pears on a one-year deal, keeping alive the defender’s AFL dream.

Pears has battled injuries throughout his career but finally beat them in 2015 only to be overlooked for all but two games.

“I’m excited to have re-signed with the Bombers and I thank the club for showing faith in me,” Pears told the Bombers website.

“Pre-season is only a couple of weeks away and I can’t wait to train and play under John Worsfold.”

MORE BOMBERS CUT: YOUR CLUB’S LIST CHANGES

The contract news may come as a surprise to many casual footy fans, who could be forgiven for forgetting Pears was still on an AFL list.

And he’s not the only player who has done well to dodge the annual end-of-year player cull.

Some names are off the radar after repeated injury setbacks — Sydney’s Alex Johnson hasn’t played since March 2013 and is unlikely to take the field until 2017 after a fourth knee reconstruction — but we’re talking about guys who have been mostly toiling away in second-tier competitions.

Here are seven names you may have thought had left the AFL, but are still in their club’s plans for 2016.

ANDY OTTEN (ADELAIDE)

You may remember him as a SuperCoach special in 2009. The injury-prone defender hasn’t appeared at senior level since Round 20, 2014, when he suffered a serious knee injury. He returned mid-season and played out the year in the SANFL. The 26-year-old, who has played 79 games in eight seasons, has been retained on the list but now seems to be back-up for the likes of Rory Laird and Ricky Henderson.

TRENT WEST (BRISBANE)

You could forgive West for feeling a bit put out when both Matthew Leuenberger and Stefan Martin were featuring heavily in trade talk and everyone seemed to forget there is another ruckman on the Lions’ list. After 54 games in six years at Geelong he was traded to Brisbane at the end of 2014. He played 10 games in his first season before hurting his knee and just two this year (for a total of six disposals), but might get more of a look-in next year with Leuenberger now at Essendon.

TAYTE PEARS (ESSENDON)

The 25-year-old defender seems to get mentioned in trade discussions every year but is still at Tullamarine. He has had injury problems but played all of this year in the VFL, breaking through for two games in Rounds 20 and 23 — his only games in the past two seasons. Unfortunately for him, the Bombers are well served for key defenders with Michael Hurley and Cale Hooker.

Tayte Pears has signed on for another year at Essendon. Picture: Adam Elwood

DEAN TERLICH (MELBOURNE)

The mature-age recruit burst onto the AFL scene in 2013, finishing third in the Demons’ best-and-fairest. He played 15 games in 2014 but seemingly fell out of favour in 2015, failing to crack a senior appearance despite putting up reasonable numbers in the VFL. He dodged the axe and is ready for summer training after minor finger surgery at the end of the season. Is he part of the future?

TODD ELTON (RICHMOND)

Taken with pick 26 in the 2011 draft, the key defender has played a grand total of two career games — one in 2012 and one in Round 7 this year, when he was beaten by Travis Cloke before being sent back to the VFL. Despite his low numbers (nine career disposals) the Tigers obviously see something in him, recently extending his contract to the end of 2017.

Tom Lee celebrates a goal in 2013.

TOM LEE (ST KILDA)

The Saints gave up pick 12 for the mature-age goalkicker but he has played just 13 games in three seasons, including none this year (and just three in 2014 when he missed a large chunk of the year with shoulder problems). He played all this season in the VFL mainly as a defender and has another year to prove he deserves a chance at the top level after signing a two-year contract extension at the end of 2014.

Another unknown Saint still on the list is project ruckman Lewis Pierce, who is hoping for a senior debut in 2016 after playing three seasons in the VFL since he was drafted in 2012.

KANE LUCAS (WEST COAST)

Cut by Carlton after 42 games in five seasons, the No.12 pick in the 2009 draft was taken by the Eagles in last year’s rookie draft but failed to play a senior game in his first season at West Coast. He played 21 matches for East Perth in the WAFL, averaging 23 disposals, and has signed another one-year deal for 2016. Probably needs injuries to strike to get another chance at the top level.

Kane Lucas put up solid numbers in the WAFL this year. Picture: Daniel Wilkins

Originally published as AFL 2015: Seven players you may not realise are still on AFL lists