AFL delistings: Every player your club has delisted after 2023 season

The Cats have confirmed three delistings after a disappointing 2023 season, moving on from a member of their 2020 Grand Final side plus two other youngsters.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 11: Mitch Hannan of the Bulldogs celebrates kicking a goal during the AFL Second Preliminary Final match between Port Adelaide Power and Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval on September 11, 2021 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)

Geelong has delisted three players including the son of a club great and a mature-age forward as the Cats look to regenerate their list.

Forward Sam Simpson, 2023 debutant Cooper Whyte and Osca Riccardi, the son of 288-game Cat Peter, have all been culled a week after the club’s disappointing end to 2023. 

Simpson, 25, is perhaps the biggest surprise of the trio after kicking seven goals across his first four games this season before two sub-affected games in a sign he still had something to offer the Cats as a depth player.

Ongoing concussion issues plagued Simpson throughout his 25-game career, which included the 2020 grand final loss to Richmond. 

Whyte debuted earlier this season in the green vest after being taken with the 64th selection in the 2021 draft, while Riccardi has been dumped after just one year on the Cats list after being picked up as a rookie. 

Simpson played in Geelong’s 2020 Grand Final loss to Richmond. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The delistings come after Sam Menegola was informed he would not be offered another contract and the retirements of Isaac Smith and Jon Ceglar.

Geelong list manager Andrew Mackie thanked them for their time at the club and said the club would continue to support them.

“All three players have been great teammates who are well respected and have lived the Geelong values during their time at the club,” Mackie said.

“We thank Sam, Cooper, and Osca for their efforts over their time at Geelong and wish them every success in the future. The club will continue to support them on and off the field.”

Dogs cut former Demon dealt cruel injury blow

– Matt Turner

Western Bulldogs has delisted former Melbourne forward Mitch Hannan.

Hannan, 29, kicked 21 goals from 30 games for the Bulldogs in three seasons, including six year, and was set to be sidelined for a large chunk of 2024 with a ruptured achilles.

Hannan played 50 games for the Demons from 2017-2020.

The Bulldogs have delisted Mitch Hannan. Photo by Michael Klein

Traded to Whitten Oval at the end of 2020, Hannan was a regular at AFL level in his first campaign at the Dogs, booting three goals in their preliminary final thumping of Port Adelaide then featuring in the flag decider against his former team.

The forward compiled seven disposals in a losing effort.

Bulldogs list boss Sam Power said Hannan had contributed strongly for the club and played a pivotal role in its 2021 grand final tilt.

“He’s been a fantastic teammate inside the locker room and we wish him all the best for the next stage of his career,” Power said.

Originally published as AFL delistings: Every player your club has delisted after 2023 season