Tassie AFL player tracker: Luckless youngster delisted by Port

A luckless Tasmanian youngster’s injury-affected stint with an AFL club has come to and end after he was delisted on Thursday. Get up to date with every Tassie player’s status here.

Tom McCallum playing for Clarence in 2021. Picture: Richard Jupe

Chris Fagan is preparing to coach the Brisbane Lions in a second grand final, while the selection of Burnie’s Robbie Fox for Sydney may hinge on whether Swans captain Callum Mills is fit to return from a hamstring injury.

Here’s the status of every Tasmanian product in the AFL before the biggest day of the year.

Tom McCallum (Clarence - Port Adelaide)

McCallum was delisted by Port Adelaide on Thursday after untimely bad injuries curtailed his hopes of kickstarting his AFL career.

The 20-year-old versatile defender was taken at pick 36 in the 2022 draft, but was unable to get a proper crack at breaking into the Power’s side due to surgeries to his ankle and appendix.

Port Adelaide is expected to be one of the biggest movers in the trade period this off-season after they were eliminated by Sydney in last week’s preliminary final.

Clarence product McCallum played 30 SANFL games for Port.

“We thank Tom for his contribution to the club over the past two years,” Port Adelaide list manager Jason Cripps said in a club statement on Thursday.

“He has dealt with some injury challenges over his time at the club, but has shown patience and resilience.

“We wish him all the best for the next chapter of his career.”

McCallum’s departure comes after the retirements of Charlie Dixon and Trent McKenzie.

Chayce Jones (Launceston - Adelaide)

The 24-year-old is contracted until the end of 2026, and the ninth pick in the 2018 Draft has had a solid season. The wing averaged a little under 15 disposals this year and last month welcomed first son, Finely into the world.

Lachie Cowan (Devonport - Carlton)

After playing seven games in his debut season last year, the medium-size defender ramped that up to 17 this year.

Known for his foot skills and speed, the 19-year-old penned a contract extension until the end of 2026, announced just before his debut against Richmond in round one last year.

Jeremy Howe of the Magpies is chaired from the field after his 250th match in round 22 against Sydney. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Jeremy Howe (Dodges Ferry/Hobart - Collingwood)

After helping guide Collingwood to premiership glory in 2022, Howe was one of a handful of Pies veterans to sign one year contract extensions.

The retention of the stalwarts suggests Collingwood want to make one more push at a flag before regenerating their list.

Howe has been solid down back, but spent plenty of time up forward this year due to the club’s injury toll.

Brody Mihocek (Burnie - Collingwood)

Mihocek has one year left on a contract extension he signed just before Christmas in 2022.

Last year he further established himself as Collingwood’s most important key forward, and his absence for the back half of this season with a torn pec was sorely felt.

Now 31, Mihocek will be one of a number of Pies off contract at the end of 2025.

Jye Menzie (North Hobart - Essendon)

Picked up in the 2022 mid season draft, the small forward had a brilliant 2023 highlighted by 23 goals.

His impact in 14 games this year hasn’t been as prevalent, managing just three goals in 14 games. The 21-year-old is off contract at the end of next year.

Alex Pearce of the Dockers looks on with injury. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Alex Pearce (Ulverstone/Devonport - Fremantle)

The Dockers skipper endured a frustrating season. He was tipped by many to make the All Australian team before he broke his arm twice.

It forced him to miss the back end of the year, and he could only watch on as his team lost their last four games to just miss finals. The 29-year-old is contracted until the end of next year.

Jake Kolodjashnij (Launceston - Geelong)

The key defender is out of contract, but is reportedly set to sign a new deal with Geelong as the Cats look to reload after their heartbreaking preliminary final loss to Brisbane.

Played 24 games this year, and the 29-year-old needs just two more to reach the 200 club.

Jake Kolodjashnij. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Lachie Weller (Burnie - Gold Coast)

New Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick showed he has a high opinion of the quick and skillful half-back ushering him straight back into the AFL side after returning from his second ACL injury in two years.

He played the last six games of the year, and the 28-year-old has two more years to run on his deal.

He’ll be hoping for some more luck on the injury front.

James Leake (Launceston - GWS)

Leake was the only member of Tasmania’s strong 2023 draft class to not debut this year, but injuries played their part and he was a consistent standout in the VFL.

Setbacks, including a quad strain just before the season began, meant the no.17 draft pick didn’t make his VFL debut until June.

Ben Brown (Glenorchy/Devonport - Melbourne/North Melbourne)

After 175 games and 360 goals for North Melbourne and Melbourne, the forward renowned for his massive set shot run up hung up the boots this year.

He retired as a premiership player after helping the Demons to a drought breaking grand final win over the Bulldogs in 2021.

Hugh Greenwood (Lauderdale - North Melbourne)

Greenwood also decided to call it quits after 121 games for Adelaide, North Melbourne and Gold Coast.

It brought to and end an incredible sporting journey, which began with four years in the US college basketball system and representing Australia at an under-19 world cup.

The 32-year-old has accepted a player development role with the Suns.

“I’m sad because it’s over and while I was optimistic about going around again given how my body is feeling, it wasn’t meant to be,” he told The Mercury last month.

While I still feel good and am still quite young, it’s time for me to invest my energy and effort elsewhere and figure out what the next stage of life looks like.”

Colby McKercher. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Colby McKercher (Launceston - North Melbourne)

The number two draft pick showed the damage he’s capable of with some electric displays off half-back.

His superb disposal and speed caused plenty of headaches, but the rigours of playing the top level against bigger bodies took its toll with some ankle issues in the middle of the season.

He hopes add a bit more size to his body and spend more time in the midfield next year.

“I really miss playing midfield, to be honest,” he told the Mercury before playing in the Roos’ final round clash against Hawthorn in Launceston.

“At under 18s that was my best position and I felt like I had a big say on games. I’d love to get back to doing that.

“I’ve really loved my time at half back, and it’s an awesome intro into AFL footy. But hopefully next year my body will be more prepared for a lot more contest and impact, and I can get higher up on the ground and impact a bit more.”

Geordie Payne (North Melbourne - Wynyard)

Considered unlucky to miss out in last year’s draft, Payne proved his versatility with the Devils early this year and was rewarded by being the top pick in the mid season draft.

Yet to debut, but it’s only a matter of time as the Roos continue their long rebuild.

“When it (draft) didn’t go my way I just had to reflect, and it came back to the work I’d done wasn’t quite enough,” Payne said after the mid-season draft.

“I just had to implement new things and work on small parts of my game. That’s showed off the last few months.

“It’s definitely a relief and something I’ve always dreamt of.”

Sam Banks (Clarence - Richmond)

The half-back made his debut for the Tigers against Sydney in July last year. The 21-year-old increased his games from six in 2023 to 15 this season, and looks ready to be part of a Tigers rebuild after the retirements in recent years of a number of premiership stars.

Is out of contract at the end of next season.

Toby Nankervis (North Launceston - Richmond)

The veteran three-time premiership-winning ruck was named the sole captain this year after sharing the role the previous two seasons.

Has two more years left on his deal and has a vital role to bring the Tigers cubs through after the club finished with the wooden spoon this year.

Rhyan Mansell (North Launceston - Richmond)

Played a career high 21 games this year, and was one of the Tigers’ most consistent players in a forgettable year. He booted 21 goals this season, easily beating his previous best of ten.

Has previously won three TSL premierships with North Launceston.

Rhyan Mansell. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Seth Campbell (Burnie/North Launceston - Richmond)

Campbell made his debut in round one this year against Gold Coast, and played 21 games after an injury-interrupted 2023.

The wing-half forward’s form was rewarded with a two-year contract extension last month.

“I have definitely played more games than I thought I was going to, but with the injuries and everything that has happened, it has become an opportunity for us young boys,” he said.

Jimmy Webster (Glenorchy - St Kilda)

Webster’s AFL career looks set to extend into a 12th season. He signed a one-year extension for 2024, but is reportedly on the cusp on agreeing to another year with the Saints.

His season began on a controversial note when he was banned for seven weeks for an ugly bump on North Melbourne’s Jy Simpkin in a pre-season match.

Arie Schoenmaker (Launceston - St Kilda)

It appeared the long-kicking defender’s AFL career could have been stalled after an off-field indiscretion with the Devils led to him falling down the draft order.

Eventually taken by the Saints at pick 62, he has begun to repay that faith with four games after making his debut against Brisbane in round 15.

Averaged nearly 15 possessions a game.

Arie Schoenmaker. (Photo by Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Robbie Fox (Burnie - Sydney)

Will he be the hard luck selection story of grand final week? Time will tell as Swans skipper Callum Mills looks to return from a hamstring injury.

The medium forward has one more year left on his deal after celebrating his 100th game earlier this year after making his debut in 2017.

Ryan Gardner (Burnie - Bulldogs)

Gardner missed the first half of last season due to wrist surgery, and a foot injury also hurt his progress this season.

Didn’t play an AFL game this year, but the unrestricted free agent is contracted until the end of 2026.

Liam Jones (North Hobart - Bulldogs)

Has played exactly 200 games after reaching the milestone in the elimination final loss to Hawthorn, the first final of his career.

The 33-year-old defender has one year left on his deal after returning to his first AFL home in 2023 after a seven-year stint at Carlton.

Ryley Sanders (North Launceston - Bulldogs)

Last year’s no.6 draft pick has been forced to bide his time at the kennel, playing 14 games after he spent time in the VFL mid season.

Dogs coach Luke Beveridge is renowned for taking time to blood young players and expect last year’s under-18 championships best and fairest to be intent of making a statement over pre-season.