Free agency period: The AFL delisted free agents who deserve another chance
The delisted free agency period soon gets underway and a host of top draft picks and highly-rated talents are available for nothing. See who your club could pick and have your say.
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Is there another Tyson Stengle out there? A player discarded by their previous club but given the chance of redemption at a new club.
AFL clubs are delisting players as they prepare for next season and beyond.
For some of those now with their futures uncertain they will be hoping for a second chance.
Others will be looking for their third and even fourth.
So who could your club pick up target a value pick up when the Delisted Free Agency period officially begins on November 3?
JED ANDERSON
Age: 28
Games: 99
Now looking for a third club after North Melbourne delisted the former Hawk. Has showed he can amass the ball and lay a tackle when he is in the midfield. But his age might go against his chances of a new club.
MITCH WALLIS
Age: 29
Games: 162
Was the Western Bulldogs vice-captain in 2021 but found himself on the outer and couldn’t break back into the side. Was a prolific midfielder at the start of his career but was shifted forward towards the back-end of it. Has said he is prepared to go interstate to continue his career.
JAKE AARTS
Age: 27
Games: 42
One of four list changes announced by the Tigers last week as the club prepares for the arrival of incoming midfielders Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper. The small forward played 42 games with the Tigers after he was selected in the 2019 rookie draft (No. 15), including seven games this year, and won the club’s VFL best-and-fairest award this year. Kicked 18 goals in his 21 games in 2021 – the fifth highest at the club.
CALLUM BROWN
Age: 24
Games: 70
The son of former club champion Gavin Brown lost his spot on the Magpies’ list along with his younger brother after six years and 70 games with the club. After 15 games last season, Brown managed only six senior appearances in 2022. Brown has said he is open to a move interstate to keep his career alive.
TYLER BROWN
Age: 22
Games: 27
Drafted the year after his brother as a father-son selection in 2017, Brown played only 27 games across his five seasons at the Magpies. His best season return was his 11 games in 2022, but it was not enough to secure the midfielder’s future at the club. Was among four players delisted by the Magpies following their preliminary final run.
RILEY COLLIER-DAWKINS
Age: 22
Games: 11
A former first-round draft pick, Collier-Dawkins managed only 11 senior games in his four seasons at Punt Rd. After being taken at pick 20 in the 2018 national draft, the young midfielder played nine games in 2021 after making his debut in round 7. Fits the tall midfielder mould some clubs are looking for, but he appeared in just two senior games this year.
DANIEL HOWE
Age: 26
Games: 96
The midfielder played 96 games across his eight seasons at the Hawks, including a career-best 20 games last year. Howe played nine in his final year at the Hawks, falling out of favour late in the season before earning a recall for the final game of the season. Feels he still has plenty to offer another team.
QUINTON NARKLE
Age: 24
Games: 41
A former fourth-round draft selection in 2016, Narkle kicked 18 goals in his 41 goals across five seasons at Geelong. He had a career-best season with 16 games at the club in 2021, seven starting as the medical sub, but could only break in for eight senior matches in the Cats’ premiership season this year and none after round 17. The lively midfielder has untapped talent and as a Perth product could be a fit for West Coast. Was one of five players cut by the Cats just days after their flag win.
ELY SMITH
Age: 22
Games: 0
The Lions’ first-round selection at No. 21 in the 2018 national draft, Smith was unable to break through for a senior appearance in his four years at the club with a run of injuries not helping his cause. The big-bodied Victorian midfielder was one of three players delisted by the Lions.
SYDNEY STACK
Age: 22
Games: 35
Bursting onto the AFL scene after he was selected as a pre-season supplemental signing in 2019, Stack made an immediate impact with 17 games and 10 goals in his first year in the league. He won the Tigers’ best first-year player and VFL premiership in his debut year. But since then, his senior appearances dried up, dropping to nine (2020), seven (2021) and two games (2022). Remains an exciting talent to be harnessed.
FRANCIS EVANS
Age: 21
Games: 7
The small forward couldn’t crack the Geelong starting 22 regularly but he looks set to receive a lifeline following being cut just days after the Cats premiership win. Port Adelaide are interested in Evans, to bolster its small forward stocks, and the Power are likely to sign him as a delisted free agent.
LIAM STOCKER
Age: 22
Games: 28
Carlton’s first-round selection (No. 19 overall) in the 2018 national draft, Stocker played a career-high 17 games last season, but could only manage six this season with the Blues. Stocker believes he can develop into a full-time midfielder, potentially best suited to lock-down roles. His name has been linked with Essendon, but the Bombers have already secured his former teammate at the Blues, Will Setterfield, during the trade period.
JAMES ROWE
Age: 23
Games played: 36
Can be considered unlucky to get delisted after two seasons at Adelaide but looks to have been a causality of a list squeeze at the Crows. The Western Bulldogs had shown an interest in Rowe and he should be a good chance of getting a second chance.
BRETT TURNER
Age: 25
Games played: none
Interestingly delisted by the Crows, just months after they picked him in the mid-season draft. Did have a foot injury when he arrived at West Lakes but impressed in the SANFL finals. Has been told by the club that they will consider redrafting him as a rookie.
CALEB POULTER
Age: 20
Games played: 12
After just one game in 2022, following 11 in 2021, Poulter was delisted by Collingwood. The tall midfielder has shown he can get the ball at AFL level so the South Australian should get another chance.
JACK MADGEN
Age: 29
Games played: 49
The former NBL and US college basketballer was recruited by Collingwood as a Category B rookie in 2017. Would have played more AFL footy if not for injury this season. Would be worth a pick-up by another club but his age is against him.
DYLAN WILLIAMS
Age: 21
Games played: One
Despite still having a year to go on his contract Williams was delisted by Port Adelaide. The Power have said it will redraft Williams as a rookie but it is telling for the young forward that Port have made this decision.
MARTIN FREDERICK
Age: 22
Games played: 14
Delisted by the Power after coming through their Next Generation Academy and debuting in 2021. West Coast is understood to be interested in the quick defender and he could very well become an Eagle soon.
CONNOR BLAKELY
Age: 26
Games played: 78
Let go by Fremantle after seven seasons. Was on a rookie contract in 2022 but didn’t manage a game. Has been able to get plenty of the ball at AFL level in his career and a club might take a chance on him. Has spoken to Gold Coast.
JAKE STEIN
Age: 28
Games played: 20
After representing Australia at the Commonwealth Games in the decathlon in 2014, Stein signed with GWS as a Category B rookie. It was an incredible effort by him to end up playing 20 games and with his delisting coming as something of a surprise, Stein could get another chance.
OSKAR BAKER
Age: 24
Games played: 15
Baker’s five-year tenure at Melbourne has come to an end. The Queenslander was on the fringes for the Demons and showed some good form in the VFL this year. But looks to be up against it to find another club.
JACKSON NELSON
Age: 26
Games played: 102
The utility was delisted by West Coast as the Eagles begin a big rebuild. Nelson has played a number of roles for the Eagles – including tagging Fremantle star Andrew Brayshaw impressively – so could be useful for a club who wants to get him for nothing.
PATRICK NAISH
Age: 23
Games played: 20
Naish has again been delisted, this time by West Coast after Richmond cut him last year. He was a late addition to the Eagles list and a beneficiary of their Covid-hit start to the season, but again finds himself looking for a new club. Looks to be up against it.
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Originally published as Free agency period: The AFL delisted free agents who deserve another chance
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