AFL Media’s Josh Gabelich has listed off some of the delisted players he expects to make their way back onto AFL lists ahead of next season.
Speaking on SEN SA’s The Run Home, Gabelich first explained why there won’t be much activity in the delisted free agent market even after the signing window opens.
“The real difficulty right now with the delisted free agents, there’s a bit of a lack of clarity around list spots,” he said.
“Although the DFA window opens on November 3rd, I don’t know how many we’ll see taken in that period, obviously they’ve still got the SSP (supplemental selection period) and the rookie draft.
“I think it might take up until the rookie draft for some of these players to earn another opportunity.”
See the players Gabelich has tipped for a return below:
Jed Anderson - delisted by North Melbourne
“Right at the top of the list is someone like a Jed Anderson who was quite stiff to be delisted by North Melbourne, he’s only 28,” Gabelich said
“It was only a couple of years ago that he finished third in the best and fairest at the Kangaroos.
“This year didn’t really go to plan because he didn’t start training until March because he was reluctant to take the vaccine, he ended up doing that, played 24 games, I thought he was quite stiff to be delisted.
“I know Gold Coast were really interested in him during the trade period, it just came down to what happened to Brayden Fiorini, they kept Brayden Fiorini instead of him going to Collingwood.”
Caleb Poulter - delisted by Collingwood
“(Fiorini) was also an issue in terms of Caleb Poulter, who’s attracted a fair bit of interest from the Gold Coast Suns as well,” he said.
“I’d expect one of the two of them to get an opportunity with the Suns, and whether that’s via the SSP or rookie draft or DFA, I don’t know just at this stage but I’d expect one of those two to get a look in.”
Quinton Narkle - delisted by Geelong
“I’d be shocked if he didn’t get another opportunity, there’s been a number of clubs, including the two West Australian clubs that have held preliminary discussions with his management,” he said.
“It just needs to see how these things shape out because clubs needed to get through the trade period to see where they sat in terms of list spots.
“Now they take stock ahead of the draft but I’d be surprised if Quinton Narkle didn’t get another gig.”
Callum Brown - delisted by Collingwood
“Cal Brown is the other one, I thought he was a little bit stiff not to get another contract at Collingwood, just 24, played the 70 games,” he said.
“He was an emergency in all three finals, so he couldn’t have come much closer without playing.
“I thought he was pretty hard done by not to get another deal at Collingwood but it’s a ruthless business as we know, him and his brother, they’re both looking for another opportunity.
“They’ve got a little bit of interest early, but I think with someone like Cal Brown, more like an SSP, come in and audition and see where you sit come January, February, March.”