A number of delisted and prematurely retired players could find themselves at new clubs in the coming week.
The AFL’s delisted free agency window opens on Thursday and there is expected to be a little bit of movement.
AFL Media’s Cal Twomey touched on several delisted and retired players who might find themselves at a new home during this period.
Delisted Geelong forward Francis Evans will likely land at Port Adelaide, former GWS defender Jake Stein is in the sights of the Suns, while retired Hawthorn premiership player Liam Shiels could still find his way to North Melbourne after initial interest.
“There are clubs who are going to use more rookie picks to pick up experienced players instead of delisted free agency picks,” Twomey said on SEN’s Sportsday.
“Mainly because rookie picks are obviously cheaper and you can find a rookie spot rather than assign a primary spot to these DFAs.
“Port Adelaide will sign Francis Evans in the next couple of days. That’s been known for a while.
“Jake Stein from the Giants who was delisted, he’s got some interest from Gold Coast as a rookie option.
“I think Liam Shiels is back in the mix for a potential spot at North Melbourne. There was some interest in him around the time Alastair Clarkson was appointed.
“That’s an option but it would be through the rookie draft where they’ve got a number of rookie picks. They’ve actually just opened one another rookie spot in the delisting of Jared Polec with a year to go on his lucrative deal.
“I don’t think there’s going to be heaps of DFAs movement.”
There are a handful of other players such as Liam Stocker, who was delisted by Carlton, ex-Collingwood pair Callum and Tyler Brown, and former Geelong midfielder Quinton Narkle whose respective futures at AFL level remain up in the air.
“Liam Stocker and the Brown boys (Callum and Tyler), are still in a bit of limbo,” Twomey added.
“Quinton Narkle has some interest out there but he might be one of these ones that has to wait a little bit until after the rookie draft to see what clubs pick up through the national draft and how many spots they have.
“It’s all about age and fit. Do you look at these guys to be ready to go players, like Narkle would be?
“Or do you look at a couple of youngster who might not have had the opportunities like Caleb Poulter. Two years in the system and very quickly cut by the Magpies, but showed a fair bit in his first year.”
The first delisted free agency period will run for seven days from Thursday, November 3 until Wednesday, November 9.