Every year there are dozens of players who are delisted by AFL clubs.
Some we nod at and think it is a just decision but there are some players that we believe deserve a second (or even third or fourth) chance.
As it is currently delisting season, we’ve seen a number of players cut by their respective clubs, but which of them warrant another go?
We’ve taken a look at the full list of those who have been delisted and come up with multiples names who we believe could find themselves on an AFL list again.
See our list below:
Jake Aarts (Richmond)
Jake Aarts has some AFL attributes, namely his toughness around the ball and work ethic.
He could still play a role for a team in need of a pressure small forward with midfield capabilities.
Following a lengthy apprenticeship in the VFL, Aarts played 42 games over three seasons with the Tigers. He showed in 2020, when playing 14 games in an eventual premiership team, that he is more than capable at the level.
His 2021 season when he kicked 18 goals in 21 outings was also an indication of what he can bring to the table.
Could Aarts, who won Richmond’s VFL best and fairest this year, be an experienced player for a rebuilding side like Hawthorn to have up their sleeve in case of emergency?
Andrew Slevison
Jed Anderson (North Melbourne)
Only two years ago, Jed Anderson was an integral part of North Melbourne’s midfield.
That will be the 28-year-old’s primary sell to clubs who need a tough onballer, which is exactly what you’ll get with Anderson.
He started the year with a lack of fitness after missing the deadline to receive his COVID vaccinations but managed to get himself back to AFL standard. His 33-disposal, seven-inside 50 game against Collingwood in Round 17 proves he’s still got it.
He’d suit a club looking to bolster its midfield or provide added on-ball depth.
Seb Mottram
Connor Blakely (Fremantle)
Fremantle signed Connor Blakely to a three-year deal in 2019.
He only played 18 games in the following three seasons, including zero in 2022.
His manager Robbie D’Orazio is expecting a lifeline for the 27-year-old.
“I think he’ll get a home somewhere, we’ll work through that in the next little bit,” he told *SEN.
He has shown the ability to play at AFL level on-ball, on the wing and at half-back, but was clearly out of favour at Freo.
Nic Negrepontis
Callum Brown (Collingwood)
Callum Brown fell out of favour in Craig McRae’s first season in charge with his delisting coming after just six games in 2022.
While Brown struggled to make an impact at senior level last campaign, he proved he was a cut above in the VFL averaging 26.5 disposals and 5.6 tackles a game.
With an ability to play forward, midfield and defence, the 24-year-old could offer experience and immediate impact for a younger team.
Callum’s younger brother Tyler could also attract interest with the tall midfielder being delisted after playing 27 games across the last three seasons.
Lachlan Geleit
Mitch Crowden (Fremantle)
Fremantle midfielder/forward Mitch Crowden was delisted after it appeared like he was set to solidify a best-22 spot at the start of the season.
After 40 games through his first four years at the club, Crowden failed to break through for a game in 2022 after being an unused substitute on two occasions.
Despite failing to break through at AFL level, Crowden was dominant in the WAFL for Peel Thunder, averaging 24.8 disposals and kicking 11 goals to finish fifth in the Sandover Medal count.
Fremantle has already vowed to do all they can to help find the 23-year-old another opportunity.
Lachlan Geleit
Tom Cutler (Essendon)
Still only 27, Tom Cutler’s delisting came as somewhat of a surprise considering his importance as a depth player at Essendon.
Since landing at Tullamarine at the end of 2019 from Brisbane, Cutler went on to play 30 games for the Bombers in three seasons.
Could Cutler offer something to a third club in 2023? Teams struggling for midfield depth could do a lot worse than pick up the phone and enquire.
As a delisted free agent, Cutler would come as a low-risk and known commodity, capable of contributing to a side next season.
Laurence Rosen
Francis Evans (Geelong)
Evans burst onto the scene last year with two goals in his first game for Geelong, with an injury the next game cruelling the rest of his season.
He went on to kick just one goal in five games in 2022 (one as the unused medical substitute).
But with Geelong’s record of drafting players, other clubs are often certainly happy to trust Stephen Wells’ nous. Evans has been linked heavily to Port Adelaide, and with plenty of untapped potential, he’s worth another chance at the top level.
Seb Mottram
Quinton Narkle (Geelong)
Many Cats fans will remember Narkle’s first game against the Western Bulldogs in 2018, where the young midfielder was thrown into the final centre bounce of the game in a massive show of faith by Chris Scott.
Narkle was on the edge of Geelong’s best team last year but fell slightly down the pecking order in 2022. The 24-year-old was heavily linked to Richmond in last year’s trade period, and rival clubs can now secure his services for nothing.
Narkle’s best footy would have had him in Geelong’s best side this year, so there are question marks about where he’s at. But he demonstrated strong form in the three games he wasn’t injured or the medical sub, averaging just shy of 15 touches a game.
If he commits to his best footy, Narkle could be fielding multiple offers at new clubs.
Seb Mottram
Tom Phillips (Hawthorn)
Tom Phillips fell out of favour quickly at Hawthorn as a preference to showcase youth saw others elevated ahead of him.
The wingman played 115 games, including 22 for the Hawks in 2021, and would make sense as a depth outside midfielder for somebody in 2023.
Fremantle and Port Adelaide both lost starting wingmen in the trade period – Phillips could potentially fill a list need. Could he potentially return to Collingwood and add to their depth?
He might just be a case of at the wrong club at the wrong time.
Nic Negrepontis
James Rowe (Adelaide)
Adelaide’s James Rowe proved he has what it takes as a senior footballer in 2022, playing 17 games for the Crows.
Having made 36 appearances in the last two seasons, Rowe’s delisting was a surprising one and the Western Bulldogs were reportedly keen on his services throughout the year.
The 23-year-old was a second-round pick in the 2020 National Draft and could prove an option for a club that’s looking for a forward that puts pressure on and can hit the scoreboard.
Lachlan Geleit
Sydney Stack (Richmond)
There is no denying the raw talent of the recently delisted Tiger.
Sydney Stack burst onto the scene in 2019 after he was picked up via the Supplemental Selection Period (SSP) and went on to play 17 games, finishing third in Rising Star voting.
Over the course of four years at Punt Road, Stack had his fair share of off-field issues so it would take a brave club to take another chance on him.
There is absolutely no doubting the immense talent of the Western Australian, but it is his dedication and application that must be harnessed.
The Dockers are unlikely to pursue the 22-year-old, but could the embattled Eagles put out their hand?
Andrew Slevison
Jake Stein (GWS)
Jake Stein played 20 games for GWS, including nine in 2022, and showed signs as a key defender in a struggling team.
His manger Robbie D’Orazio told SEN last week that he is confident the delisted Giant will get another opportunity at AFL level.
“He was one that I was surprised got delisted, he played some good footy in the back end under Mark McVeigh and then Jason McCartney gave him sort of the chop, which is fine, we’ll move on from that,” D’Orazio said.
“Hopefully we get him on a list somewhere which I’m working on at the moment, fingers crossed that all works out for both boys.”
Nic Negrepontis
Liam Stocker (Carlton)
Liam Stocker’s delisting came as a surprise to many Carlton fans. The club traded a future first-round pick to be able to select him in the 2018 National Draft with the hopes he would develop into a quality on-baller.
Injuries coupled with stepping away for the entire 2020 season slowed his development, with a new Blues regime ultimately deciding he wouldn’t make it as a midfielder and that they preferred to re-sign Jordan Boyd as half-back depth.
Given his pedigree as a first-round pick and turbulent start to his career, it seems likely someone will take a punt on Stocker and see if this delisting was the motivational spark he needed.
Nic Negrepontis
Mitch Wallis (Western Bulldogs)
It’s a mystery to most footy fans why Mitch Wallis spent the last two years out of Luke Beveridge’s best 22.
But it’s certainly given Wallis the motivation to leave his mark elsewhere. He oozes leadership and was the Western Bulldogs’ vice-captain just last year, but the 29-year-old also has the footy ability for another shot.
He’s now completely recovered from mid-year foot surgery. Wallis spent much of his career as a midfielder but averaged just shy of 1.5 goals per game as a forward in 2020 and could continue his career in either position.
He’d no doubt be a handy role/depth player in a premiership contender or a leader in a wallowing team.
Seb Mottram