AFL 2022: Collingwood delists Jack Madgen, Caleb Poulter and Cooper Murley after busy trade period

Collingwood has completed its decisions on this year’s list ahead of the draft and delisted free agency periods.

Caleb Poulter was among Collingwood’s latest delistings. Picture: Michael Klein

Collingwood has delisted Jack Madgen and Caleb Poulter to leave the Magpies with up to five list vacancies ahead of the draft and delisted free agency periods in November.

In a related move, they also cut 2021 draftee Cooper Murley, who is contracted for next season, but are committed to selecting him in the rookie draft unless a rival club gets in first.

Collingwood was one of three clubs to announce delistings on Tuesday, with Essendon releasing Cody Brand, Brayden Ham and Alec Waterman and St Kilda not offering Jarrod Lienert another contract.

Madgen, a former basketballer with NBL club Cairns Taipans and US college team Delta State University, joined Collingwood as a category B rookie in 2017.

The 29-year-old defender played 49 games across five seasons but only nine this year, in large part because of two injury setbacks – a dislocated shoulder in May then a fractured thumb two months later.

Jack Madgen suffered a dislocated shoulder against the Western Bulldogs in May. Picture: Getty Images

Poulter, 20, made a bright start to his AFL career, playing 11 games last year in his debut season but fell out of favour and added just one more in 2022.

Collingwood’s head of football, Graham Wright, thanked Madgen and Poulter for their contribution.

“‘Madge’ has faced injury challenges this year and his positive attitude and resilience should be commended,” Wright said.

“Caleb showed potential at AFL level over the past two seasons. He is still in the formative years of his career and has worked hard to develop his craft in the VFL.

“We wish both Madge and Caleb all the best with their future endeavours.”

The delistings follow the Pies’ exchange period raid, where they signed Dan McStay as an unrestricted free agent and traded for Bobby Hill, Billy Frampton and Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell.

Jack Madgen played 49 matches for the Magpies. Picture: Michael Klein

They also sent Brodie Grundy to Melbourne in a salary cap-driven move and granted Ollie Henry’s wish to join his brother Jack at Geelong.

If Murley is retained, Collingwood still has four primary or category A rookie spots to fill and can sign one category B rookie as well.

Clubs can have as many as 44 footballers, comprising between 36 and 38 on the primary list, four to six category A rookies and up to two category B rookies.

The Bombers were also active in the trade period, bringing in Sam Weideman and Will Setterfield and trading Aaron Francis to Sydney.

Ham looks the likeliest of Essendon’s delisted players to get a fresh start elsewhere after playing 11 of his 45 games this year.

Originally published as AFL 2022: Collingwood delists Jack Madgen, Caleb Poulter and Cooper Murley after busy trade period