AFL delistings: Will Phillips axed by Roos, Jason Johannisen let go by Bulldogs

A former top-three draftee has been let go by the Kangaroos along with a former Fremantle recruit as North finalises its list heading into the draft.

North Melbourne has delisted former top-three draftee Will Phillips as the Roos finalise their list heading into the draft.

The 50-gamer was not offered a new deal for 2026 alongside Darcy Tucker and Geordie Payne.

Phillips was the No.3 pick in the 2020 draft, behind Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Riley Thilthorpe, but failed to consistently play in a midfield role at the Roos.

Tucker landed at the Roos in 2022 after 108 games at Fremantle, moving alongside Griffin Logue in exchange for future second and third-round selections that were given to the club as concession selections.

Will Phillips was drafted in 2020. Picture: Michael Klein

The winger played 48 games for North Melbourne but struggled with injuries during his time at the club, having ended his 2025 campaign after just seven games with season-ending back surgery.

Payne was the No.1 pick in the 2024 mid-season draft and made his debut in round 22, 2025.

He played in the final three games of the season, kicking three goals.

“These decisions are never easy, especially when they involve young men who have invested so much of themselves into the club,” Roos footy boss Todd Viney said.

“We wish Will, Darcy, and Geordie every success in their future.”

North Melbourne will enter the draft with two picks in the second round – No.25 and No.26 – in November.

DOGS FAREWELL NORM SMITH MEDALLIST

- Scott Gullan

Norm Smith Medallist Jason Johannisen hasn’t been offered a new contract by the Western Bulldogs.

The 32-year-old, who was the hero of the Bulldogs 2016 premiership victory, was told last week his time at the Whitten Oval was over.

Johannisen played 212 games for the Dogs since being drafted as a rookie from WA in 2010. He made his senior debut in 2012 and initially struggled for games before flourishing under coach Luke Beveridge.

Johannisen was one of the stars of that famous Bulldogs flag. Picture: Michael Dodge/AFL Media/Getty Images

His game-breaking ability was on full display in the 2016 Grand Final where he had 33 disposals on his way to being awarded the best player on the ground.

Johannisen had injury issues late in his career but was a consistent performer this season playing 16 games.

The Bulldogs weren’t as active as some thought they would be in the trade period with troubled former No. 1 draft pick Jamarra Ugle-Hagan moving to the Gold Coast in exchange for pick 74.

Suns small defender Connor Budarick joined the Dogs along with pick 70, in exchange for pick 37.

Defender Buku Khamis had wanted to get to Carlton but will now stay at the Kennel after a deal couldn’t be done before last week’s deadline.

Johannisen exits the club alongside Taylor Duryea (retired), delisted pair Liam Jones and Anthony Scott and Ugle-Hagan

BOMBERS CUT FORMER FIRST-ROUND PICK IN HUGE LIST CALL

– Josh Barnes

Former first-round draftee Ben Hobbs has been cut by Essendon, alongside 12-game runner Luamon Lual.

Hobbs had been seen as unlikely to secure a new deal and the 2021 No. 13 pick will now hit the market searching for a second club after 65 appearances in the sash.

The onballer has drawn little interest so far from rivals after playing 18 games in 2025.

Amid Essendon’s injury crisis this year, Lual played a dozen games without collecting more than 12 disposals in any of them and was let go after two years on the Essendon list.

Having carried a bloated list to the end of the season after using four mid-season draft picks, the Bombers have now delisted eight players and seen free agent Sam Draper depart for Brisbane.

Ben Hobbs has been delisted. Picture: Getty Images

Luamon Lual also hasn’t been offered a new contract. Picture: Getty Images

Midfielder Will Setterfield is the sole remaining Bomber in limbo without a contract for next year.

Essendon has five picks in the top 30 in next month’s national draft and footy boss Dan McPherson said: “The list squeeze means some challenging choices had to be made”.

“Both Ben and Luamon have handled the news with maturity and we applaud them for that,” McPherson said.

GWS has also made its final cut, delisting swingman Wade Derksen.

Derksen had been courted by Melbourne, both in 2024 when a trade fell through and early 2025, before the Dees backed out of their interest before this trade period.

A strong VFL performer, largely as an intercepting defender, Derksen did not play an AFL game after being taken in the 2022 mid-season draft.

Geelong also delisted two-time best-and-fairest winner and premiership player Cam Guthrie on Monday.

Originally published as AFL delistings: Will Phillips axed by Roos, Jason Johannisen let go by Bulldogs