Gold Coast forward Jacob Townsend has been delisted for the fourth off-season in a row.
Defender Luke Towey will also return to Ireland, after two seasons with the Suns as a Category B rookie.
Townsend may win a reprieve however, and be re-drafted to the rookie list where he was situated last season.
Recruited to the GWS Giants as a 17-year-old through zoning concessions, the Leeton product played 28 games in orange and charcoal before he began to pursue opportunities elsewhere.
Townsend was traded to Richmond ahead of the 2016 season, but played just four games in his first season at Punt Road.
He broke into the Tigers’ team on the eve of the 2017 finals in a defensive forward role and went on to boot 16 goals in just five games, including two in the Grand Final victory over Adelaide.
‘Towna’ became a cult hero at Tigerland after his premiership cameo, most notably for his bone-crunching tackle on Crows midfielder Matt Crouch after a hospital handball from brother Brad.
After falling out of favour at Richmond he spent the 2020 season with Essendon, and featured in 12 games for a return of nine goals.
Townsend made just two appearances under Stuart Dew in 2021, which took his career tally to 62 games in 10 seasons.
Gold Coast GM of Player Talent and Strategy Craig Cameron thanked Towey for his contribution in a club statement.
“It hasn’t been an easy two seasons of AFL football, particularly for someone brand new to learning the game like Luke has,” Cameron explained.
“We want to commend him for his attitude and dedication to the Suns over the last two years and wish him all the best for what lies ahead.”
The rookie draft is set to be held on November 26, the day after the national draft wraps up.