AFL off-season news: Every retirement and delisting for 2021

Gold Coast dropped a bomb when it announced it was delisting Hugh Greenwood, one of its best and most reliable players. But there is a method to the Suns’ madness.

Gun midfielder Hugh Greenwood along with Rory Thompson and Jez McLennan have been delisted by the Gold Coast Suns, but will be redrafted by the club so it can meet the AFL’s requirement of taking three picks at the draft.

Greenwood, 29, and Thompson, 30, have both agreed to be delisted and then added back to the Suns’ primary list ahead of the 2022 season.

Greenwood has been a success story for the Suns since they lured him to the Gold Coast from Adelaide – averaging over 17 disposals and more than six tackles in his two seasons. He finished fourth in the Suns’ 2020 best-and-fairest award.

McLennan, 21, will be redrafted as a rookie.

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In announcing the “temporary” delistings, the Suns said the move would provide the club with further flexibility and opportunity to improve their list and meet the AFL’s draft requirements.

Concessions by the AFL mean that the Suns have a tight list, and general manager of player talent and strategy Craig Cameron said the club had to make the temporary measure.

“We’ve had a deliberate strategy on improving our list over the past four years and that hasn’t changed during this year’s trade and draft period,” Cameron said.

“Having a high number of contracted players, we have had to explore all possible options to comply with AFL requirements.

“I would like to thank Rory, Hugh and Jez for agreeing to this temporary measure which will allow the club to redraft them to our list ahead of next season.”

Hugh Greenwood has agreed to be temporarily delisted.

The Suns hold picks 3, 97 and 115 for the draft.

It comes as GWS re-signed four players and delisted young defender Jacob Wehr, but have promised of redrafting him as a rookie.

Harry Perryman has extended his contract to the end of 2024, Jack Buckley inked a deal to take him to the end of 2023 and rookies Zach Sproule and Jake Stein have re-signed for 2022.

GWS general manager of football Jason McCartney said the club was excited to re-sign the players.

“Harry is an important part of our side and it’s been great to see his journey over the past few years. We’re looking forward to seeing what he can produce after recommitting for another two years,” he said.

“Jack is also one that has flourished over the recent years and showed this season how important a player he can be for us.”

AFL CLUBS MEET LIST DEADLINE

The AFL has released the full list changes by every club to its first list lodgement deadline.

Clubs were required to submit lists to AFL HQ by 2pm on October 29, noting all trades, retirements, delistings and free agency moves.

There is still time for more changes to be made before the national draft, with two signings already in the delisted free agency window, at GWS and Port Adelaide.

Scroll down to see every change at your club as it stands.

KEY PLAYER MOVEMENT DATES

November 9, 5pm – Delisted free agency period (1) closes

November 10, 2pm – List Lodgement (2)

November 11, 9am – Delisted free agency period (2) opens

November 15, 5pm – Delisted free agency period (2) closes

November 17, 3pm – Delisted primary list draft nomination form lodgement; Rookie nomination form lodgement; Father-son nominations lodged with AFL, Draft nominations close

November 24 – National draft first round

November 25 – Draft remaining rounds; Rookie upgrade period; Delisted free agency period (3)

November 26, 10.00am – AFL list lodgement (3); Pre-selected rookie nominations; Pre-season draft; Rookie draft

November 29, 4pm – Final AFL club list lodgement

TRADE TRACKER: EVERY DEAL OF THE TRADE PERIOD

Dylan Clarke will continue training at Essendon despite being delisted.

2021 LIST CHANGES

Adelaide

IN

Jordan Dawson – traded from Sydney.

OUT

Tyson Stengle — Retired. Cut ties with the club early this season after a series of off-field issues. Set to join Geelong as an unrestricted free agent.

Tom Lynch — Delisted. Forward has been told he will not be offered a new contract for 2022.

Daniel Talia — Retired. All-Australian defender called time on his career following another injury. Had some interest from other clubs including Richmond.

David Mackay — Retired. Unassuming veteran played his last game in Round 23.

Jake Kelly — Free agent. Joined Essendon as an unrestricted free agent during the trade period.

Ronin O’Connor — Delisted. Managed three games after being drafted in 2019.

Brisbane Lions

IN

Darcy Fort — Ruckman arrived from Geelong during the trade period.

OUT

Grant Birchall — Retired. Has called time on a 287-game career that spanned 15 seasons and included 248 matches — and an incredible four premierships — for Hawthorn.

Archie Smith — Delisted. Long-time back-up ruckman informed the club he wanted to explore his options during this year’s trade period but didn’t find a new home.

Cam Ellis-Yolmen — Delisted. Former Crow is set to earn a lifeline in the rookie draft.

Tom Joyce — Delisted. Pick 40 in the 2018 draft didn’t play at senior level.

Brock Smith — Delisted. Former Gippsland Power captain also cut without playing an AFL game.

Carlton

IN

Adam Cerra — Traded from Fremantle.

George Hewett — Former Swan picked up as a free agent.

Lewis Young — Key defender arrived via a trade with the Bulldogs.

OUT

Marc Murphy — Retired. Former Carlton skipper played his 300th and final game in Round 22.

Eddie Betts – Retired. Legendary small forward played his 350th game in Round 23 before hanging up the boots.

Levi Casboult — Delisted. the Blues have announced their veteran swingman will not be offered a deal for 2022.

Michael Gibbons — Delisted. Mature-age recruit booted 35 goals in 47 games over three seasons.

Sam Ramsay — Delisted. Didn’t break through for a senior game after being drafted at pick 37 in 2019.

Sam Petrevski-Seton — Traded. Joined West Coast during the trade period

Lochie O’Brien and Matt Cottrell — Delisted. The Blues have committed to redrafting both players in the rookie draft.

Popular forward Michael Gibbons was delisted by the Blues. Pic: Michael Klein

Collingwood

IN

Patrick Lipinski — Midfielder arrives via a trade from the Western Bulldogs.

Nathan Kreuger — Key forward traded from Geelong.

OUT

Levi Greenwood — Retired mid-season after repeated concussions. Greenwood was a valuable player at the Magpies (86 games, 2015-21) and North Melbourne (74 games, 2008-14).

Chris Mayne — Retired. Played 76 games at Collingwood for a career total of 248 after starting his career at the Dockers in 2008.

Anton Tohill — Retired. Irish defender is returning home to complete his medical degree.

Brayden Sier — Delisted. Played 28 games for the Magpies in six seasons.

Josh Thomas — Retired. Out-of-contract, the 30-year-old opted to call time despite playing 20 games in 2021. The crafty small forward kicked 101 goals across 123 matches.

Jay Rantall — Delisted. Managed five games since being taken in the 2019 national draft.

Isaac Chugg — Delisted. Collingwood has committed to re-selecting him in the rookie draft.

Max Lynch — Traded. The ruckman became a Hawk in the final hour of the trade period.

Essendon

IN

Jake Kelly — Former Crow was signed as a free agent.

OUT

David Zaharakis — Delisted. The 31-year-old veteran told he will not be offered a new contract at the Bombers after 226 games.

Patrick Ambrose — Retired after 88 games with the Bombers following a persistent foot injury.

Cale Hooker – Retired. Swingman called time after 219 games across 13 seasons at the Bombers.

Ned Cahill – Delisted. Managed six games for the Bombers, three each in 2019 and 2020.

Irving Mosquito – Delisted. Made an exciting debut in 2020 then suffered a serious knee injury. Took a leave of absence in May and has decided to remain home in WA.

Lachie Johnson – Delisted. The son of three-time Brisbane premiership player Chris failed to break through for a senior game after being hampered by an ACL injury last season.

Martin Gleeson — Delisted. The lockdown defender played 97 games for the Bombers, including the elimination final loss to the Western Bulldogs.

Dylan Clarke — Delisted. Tough midfielder will continue to train with the club in the hope of being selected as a SPP signing.

Fremantle

IN

Jordan Clark — Traded from Geelong.

Will Brodie — Traded from Gold Coast.

OUT

Leon Thomas — Delisted. Category B rookie was granted an early release from his contract. He did not play a senior game for the Dockers.

Stephen Hill — Retired. The wingman played 218 games over 13 seasons with his most memorable moment a running goal to seal an upset preliminary final victory over Geelong in 2013.

Reece Conca — Delisted. Former Tiger and No. 5 draft pick has been told he won’t be offered a contract for next year.

Brett Bewley, Taylin Duman, Stefan Giro, Tobe Watson — Delisted. The quartet has been told they won’t be offered contracts for 2022.

Adam Cerra — Traded. The midfielder became a Blue in the most significant trade of 2021.

Connor Blakeley — Delisted. Midfielder is set to be redrafted in the rookie draft.

Mitch Crowden — Delisted. Also set to be redrafted in the rookie draft.

Geelong

IN

Jon Ceglar — Traded from Hawthorn.

OUT

Josh Jenkins — Retired. Managed just two games for the Cats after moving from Adelaide at the end of 2019.

Ben Jarvis — Delisted. The No. 48 pick in the 2018 draft played one game in three years on the list.

Lachie Henderson — Retired after 89 games for the Cats for a total of 206 over 14 seasons with three clubs.

Cameron Taheny — Delisted. Couldn’t break through for a senior appearance after being drafted at pick 50 in 2019.

Oscar Brownless — Delisted. Father-son pick let go after three years on the list.

Cameron Taheny — Delisted.

Charlie Constable — Delisted. Time with the Cats ends after 12 AFL games.

Stefan Okunbor — Delisted. Category B rookie has returned to Ireland.

Jordan Clark — Traded. Joined Fremantle in the trade period.

Nathan Kreuger — Traded. Joined Collingwood in the trade period.

Darcy Fort —Traded. Joined Brisbane in the trade period.

Geelong delisted father-son pick Oscar Brownless. Picture: Michael Klein

Gold Coast

IN

Mabior Chol — Former Tiger signed as a free agent.

OUT

Jack Hombsch — Retired. Defender played 116 games at three clubs: GWS, Port Adelaide and the Suns.

Jordan Murdoch — Retired. Midfielder has 122 games to his name, the first 108 of them at Geelong.

Zac Smith — Retired. Ruckman hangs up the boots after 124 games at Gold Coast, Geelong and back at the Suns.

Jarrod Harbrow – Retired. One of the original Suns, the dashing defender played a club-record 191 games.

Aiden Fyfe — Defender and KFC SuperCoach favourite joined the club as an Academy preselection prior to the 2020 Draft but couldn’t crack a senior game.

Will Bodie — Traded. Joined Fremantle in the trade period.

Jacob Townsend — Delisted. Four-club player and Richmond premiership surprise packet managed two games at the Suns in 2021. The club will consider redrafting him in the rookie draft.

Luke Towey — Delisted. Category B rookie is returning to Ireland.

GWS Giants

Matt Buntine — Delisted. Selected at pick 5 in the 2011 draft, the defender played 67 games over 10 seasons.

Tom Hutcheson — Delisted. Mature-age draftee from South Australia managed just one senior game.

Sam Reid — Delisted. Inaugural Giant has been one of the AFL’s great survivors but at 31 has been told he won’t be offered another contract.

Nick Shipley — Delisted. Giants Academy graduate played four senior games this year for a career total of six.

Jeremy Finlayson — Traded. Joined Port Adelaide in the trade period.

Hawthorn

IN

Max Lynch — Ruckman was traded from Collingwood.

OUT

Jonathon Patton — Retired. Ex-Giant quit in April to focus on his health, wellbeing, and future outside of the game. He played 95 games and kicked 133 goals.

Tom Scully — Retired. Former No. 1 draft pick made the decision in February after 187 games over 11 seasons.

Shaun Burgoyne — Retired. The AFL great signs off after 407 games as one of the most decorated players in the game’s history.

James Cousins — Delisted. The 23-year-old from Mansfield played 10 matches in 2021 for a career total of 35 across five seasons.

Damon Greaves — Delisted. Defender managed 10 games in his three seasons as a Hawk.

Michael Hartley — Delisted. Added five matches at Hawthorn to the 44 he played at Essendon.

Keegan Brooksby — Delisted. Big man spent time at Gold Coast and West Coast and arrived at Waverley Park via the pre-season supplemental selection period but played just once at senior level.

Harry Pepper — Delisted. Category B rookie didn’t break through for a senior AFL game.

Tim O’Brien — Delisted. Has joined the Western Bulldogs as a free agent.

Jonathon Ceglar — Traded. Joined Geelong in the trade period.

Oliver Hanrahan — Delisted. Played 29 games for the Hawks including 13 in 2021.

Melbourne

IN

Luke Dunstan — Delisted Saint signed as a free agent.

OUT

Nathan Jones — Retired. Former captain and three-time best-and-fairest winner misses out on a premiership but retires a club legend.

Neville Jetta — Retired. Demons life member who in 2017 was among the best small defenders in the game.

Aaron vandenBerg — Delisted. Tough ballwinner will seek a fresh start at a rival club next season, after struggling to cement a regular senior berth in 2021.

Jay Lockhart — Delisted. Tasmanian who joined Dees in 2019 as a pre-season supplemental selection. Did not play a game in 2021.

Aaron Nietschke — Delisted. Hard-luck story suffered a third ACL in as many seasons in 2021.

Austin Bradtke — Delisted. Developing 204cm ruckman is yet to play an AFL game. Son of former Australian Boomer Mark Bradtke and tennis great Nicole Bradtke chose footy over hoops.

Marty Hore — Delisted after missing the bulk of the past two years through injury.

Kye Declase — Delisted after joining the club via this year’s mid-season draft but did not break into the senior side.

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin with retiring defender Neville Jetta.

North Melbourne

IN

Callum Coleman-Jones — Traded from Richmond.

OUT

Taylor Garner — Delisted after 49 games in nine seasons at the Kangaroos.

Dom Tyson — Delisted. Not offered a new contract after playing just five games in three seasons after joining the club from Melbourne.

Will Walker — Delisted. The No. 23 pick from the 2017 draft has been let go after playing six senior games.

Connor Menadue — Delisted. Former Tiger managed seven games in his one season at North.

Robbie Tarrant — Traded. Joined Richmond in the trade period.

Shaun Atley — Delisted. The running defender sits 21st on the club’s all-time list of games played with 234 games, but it wasn’t enough to earn him a contract for 2022.

Trent Dumont — Delisted. Played 113 games across seven seasons.

Tom Campbell — Signed with St Kilda in delisted free agency.

Charlie Ham — Delisted. Mid-season draft pick couldn’t break into the senior team.

Jared Polec — Delisted. High-priced recruit will be relisted in the rookie draft.

Port Adelaide

IN

Jeremy Finlayson — Traded from GWS Giants.

OUT

Tom Rockliff — Retired after an injury-plagued year on 208 games — 54 with the Power and 154 at the Lions.

Hamish Hartlett — Delisted. Hasn’t given up hope of a lifeline elsewhere after being axed by the Power after 193 matches in 13 seasons.

Joel Garner — Delisted. Played four senior games, all in 2019.

Peter Ladhams — Traded. Joined Sydney in the trade period.

Jarrod Lienert — Mature-age rookie delisted after 23 games, including five this past season.

Boyd Woodcock — Delisted after 12 games.

Sam Mayes — Delisted but the Power committed to redrafting him as a rookie next month.

Richmond

IN

Robbie Tarrant — Traded from North Melbourne.

OUT

David Astbury — Retired. Triple-premiership hero beat a series of injuries early in his career to play 155 games in the yellow and black.

Bachar Houli — Retired. A distinguished career included 232 games at Essendon and Richmond — where he was a bargain pick-up in the pre-season draft — and two second placings in the Norm Smith Medal.

Patrick Naish — Delisted. Father-son selection cut after nine games in four seasons.

Mabior Chol — Delisted. Joined Gold Coast as a free agent.

Callum Coleman-Jones — Traded. Joined North Melbourne in the trade period.

Ryan Garthwaite — Delisted. Key defender played 14 senior games in five seasons.

Derek Eggmolesse-Smith — Delisted. Running defender managed nine senior appearances including one in 2021.

Noah Cumberland — Delisted. The Tigers have promised to re-draft him in the rookie draft.

Bigoa Nyuon — Delisted. The Tigers have promised to re-draft him in the rookie draft.

Richmond delisted Derek Eggmolesse-Smith. Picture: Sarah Reed

St Kilda

IN

Tom Campbell - Signed as a delisted free agent from North Melbourne

OUT

Dylan Roberton — Retired. Pulled the pin in March, putting his family first after attempting a comeback from serious heart issues. Roberton played 92 games for St Kilda after joining the club from Fremantle (37 games) at the end of 2012.

Jake Carlisle — Retired. Key defender played 151 games at the Bombers and Saints.

Shaun McKernan — Delisted. former Bomber and Crow got an extra year after being offered a lifeline by the Saints but his career ends after 91 games over 12 seasons.

James Frawley — Retired. Hanging up the boots for a second time after 139 games with Melbourne, 139 for Hawthorn — including the 2015 premiership — and two for the Saints.

Oscar Clavarino — Delisted. Finally broke through for his senior debut in 2021, his fourth year on the list, and played five games in defence.

Sam Alabaskis — Delisted. The category B rookie didn’t manage a senior game but at 211cm, he is the equal-tallest player ever to be on an AFL list.

Luke Dunstan — Delisted. Joined Melbourne as a free agent.

Jack Lonie — Delisted. Small forward cut after 73 goals in 87 games.

Sydney

IN

Peter Ladhams — Traded from Port Adelaide.

OUT

Kaiden Brand — Delisted. Former Hawk made five senior appearances for the Swans.

Malachy Carruthers — Delisted. Rookie didn’t break through for a senior AFL game.

Sam Gray — Delisted. Played seven games for the Swans after joining the club from Port Adelaide.

Matthew Ling — Delisted. Pick 14 in the 2017 draft, Ling was cursed by injuries and managed just four senior games.

Lewis Taylor — Delisted. The 2014 Rising Star Award winner is set to be moved to the rookie list.

George Hewett — Delisted. Joined Carlton as a free agent.

Jordan Dawson — Traded. Joined Adelaide in the trade period.

West Coast

IN

Sam Petrevksi-Seton — Traded from Carlton.

OUT

Daniel Venables — Retired. Premiership Eagle retired on medical advice after repeated concussions made him feel like his head was “going to explode”. His 21-game career included the 2018 flag.

Mark Hutchings — Delisted. Career comes to a close after 120 games across nine seasons.

Nathan Vardy — Retired. Ex-Cat is returning to regional Victoria after 77 AFL games, including 62 for the Eagles.

Brendon Ah Chee — Delisted. The 27-year-old made 31 appearances for the Eagles after playing 27 games for Port Adelaide.

Brayden Ainsworth, Ben Johnson, Will Collins — Delisted. Ainsworth was the only member of the trio, who have been told they won’t be offered contracts for 2022, to play senior footy. He pulled the Eagles jumper on 14 times.

Jarrod Cameron — Delisted. Leaving the Eagles with a year to run on his contract after a horror run with injuries.

Jarrod Brander — Delisted by the Eagles. Has been picked up by GWS.

Western Bulldogs

IN

Tim O’Brien — Ex-Hawk signed as a free agent.

OUT

Lin Jong — Retired. Called time on his 10-year career after 65 games and a spate of injuries.

Patrick Lipinski — Traded. Joined Collingwood in the trade period.

Lewis Young — Traded. Joined Carlton in the trade period.

Will Hayes — Delisted. Played 11 games after being drafted from Footscray’s VFL side.

Ben Cavarra — Delisted. Mature-age recruit had an unlucky run with injury and managed just four AFL games.

Easton Wood — Retired. The 2016 premiership captain played 188 matches, calling time due to being injury plagued over his last two seasons.

Sam Lloyd — Retired. Forward retired in December last year so is counted on the 2021 form.

Originally published as AFL off-season news: Every retirement and delisting for 2021