There’s always two sides to the story during flurry of post-season AFL list changes.
In late November across the national and rookie drafts, just under 90 footballers for the first time won themselves spots on AFL clubs lists for the 2023 season.
But in order for the influx of fresh faces to realise their AFL dreams, many already in the system had to make way.
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Round 1
Some players could still find themselves on an AFL list before Round 1 via the pre-season supplemental selection period (SSP), which closes on February 15. Ex-Blue Liam Stocker and former Bomber Josh Eyre are both training at St Kilda, while delisted Cat Quinton Narkle is hopeful of earning a spot on Richmond’s list. It also emerged this week that former Tiger and Sun Oleg Markov had been invited to train with Collingwood and audition for a spot on the club’s rookie list. Markov was spotted earlier this week training at Collingwood’s headquarters alongside several Magpies players, including Tom Mitchell, Taylor Adams, Brayden Maynard, Isaac Quaynor, John Noble and Tom Wilson. Former Pie Tyler Brown had been linked to Footscray’s VFL side, but AFL Media reported this week Adelaide was poised to invite the on-baller to train with the club after the sudden retirement of Fischer McAsey. But there’s an array of former AFL stars that are bound for local and country leagues in 2023 — arguably more than usual. Former Bomber and Giant Devon Smith will be a playing co-coach at Lara, ex-Cats duo Luke Dahlhaus and Paul Tsapatolis have signed with WRFL club Point Cook, ex-Crow Luke Brown has joined Tea Tree Gully in the Adelaide Footy League and former Saints captain Jarryn Geary has returned to junior club Eaglehawk. There was a big signing during the week, when former Carlton and Brisbane hard nut Mitch Robinson signed with QAFL club Morningside. Premiership Tiger Josh Caddy has also agreed to be Port Melbourne Colts playing coach in the Southern Football Netball League, while foxfooty.com.au understands ex-Pie Isaac Chugg is set to play under another former Magpie in Jarryd Blair at Wonthaggi. Mornington Peninsula club Devon Meadows also received a significant boost late last year, with former Saints Paddy Ryder and Dean Kent both signing with the club. Devon Meadows coach Ryan Hendy told Leader in October he was expecting Ryder to play as many games as possible in 2023, adding: “I don’t think there’s a bigger signing in local footy, just about ever.” EFNL club Doncaster, though, might beg to differ after it secured the signature of one of Port Adelaide’s greatest ever players in Robbie Gray in late November. Gray will link up with league legend and close mate Chris Annakis after the duo had discussed the prospect of playing together for 20 years. Gray has also linked up with the Power’s AFL recruiting team. But, as per usual, many players have been snapped up by state league clubs in the VFL, WAFL and SANFL. Woodville-West Torrens has regained delisted Crows forward James Rowe and ex-Cat Zane Williams, while it’s also secured the signature of recently delisted Tigers midfielder Riley Collier-Dawkins. Port Melbourne has snapped up a handy quartet in Sam Naismith (ex-Sydney), Tom Hird (ex-Essendon), Will Martyn (ex-Richmond) and Fraser Rosman (ex-Melbourne). And North Melbourne appears to have been busy at the VFL recruiting table under new coach Tom Lynch. Ex-Hawk Connor Downie and former Bulldog Louie Butler have both been linked to the Kangaroos’ VFL side, while ex-Power and Saints defender Jarrod Lienert has been linked to assistant coaching role under Lynch. Lynch is one of several members of the 2022 playing departures class remaining at AFL club land in an off-field capacity. Jordan Roughead (Collingwood), Michael Hurley (Essendon), Kane Lambert (Richmond) and Stefan Martin (Western Bulldogs) have all taken on development coach roles at the clubs where they finished their respective playing careers at. And like Gray at the Power, triple premiership Tiger Shane Edwards has ventured into the recruiting space, joining the Adelaide Crows in a Recruiter/Indigenous Player Development Manager role. Joel Selwood has a significant off-field role — but in NRL land. The four-time premiership Cat stunned the footy world last November when he signed with the NRL club Melbourne Storm as a part-time leadership coach — a similar move to the one fellow premiership captain Nick Maxwell did when he retired. Selwood reportedly turned down offers from other AFL clubs and Cricket Australia. “When the opportunity come up, I saw it as a great chance to get involved in something a bit different in an environment that is so well run,” Selwood said. “I was impressed with the presentation Frank (footy boss Ponissi) and Craig (coach Bellamy) made and have already been welcomed at the club when I visited AAMI Park earlier this week. I can’t wait to meet the rest of the playing group and getting into the season.” Selwood mighn’t be the only rugby league-bound ex-AFL player, with former Magpie and Kangaroo Atu Bosenavulagi to try his luck as a player. Foxfooty.com.au understands Bosenavulagi, who played 20 AFL games with Collingwood and North Melbourne across four seasons, is no longer pursuing footy and instead giving rugby league a crack. Bosenavulagi represented Australia in rugby sevens at junior level and in 2015 was added to the Melbourne Rebels developmental player training squad before turning his attention to footy. Malvern-based gym NJ Fitness has uploaded footage of the 22-year-old working out and lifting weights over the past few months. Speaking of switching codes, former Sun Patrick Murtagh is hoping to crack into the NFL — but not as a punter. Murtagh was rewarded for a strong showing at the NFL International Combine held in England back in October and was accepted into the 2023 International Player Pathways Program. The 22-year-old this month will jet off to the United States where he will train for 10 weeks then be given the chance to impress NFL scouts throughout March. A state decathlon champion, Murtagh is looking to use his athletic profile to make his mark in the NFL as a tight end – a tricky position that requires both catching and blocking. Many players, though, have dived straight into interests outside of footy. Matt de Boer’s investment company Athletic Ventures is going strong, while Swans champion Josh Kennedy has taken on an ambassadorial role for Future Generation, which is an ASX-listed funds management company. Premiership Eagle Josh Kennedy has launched Beyond Distilling — a distillery and cellar door in Busselton — with Eagles premiership teammate Chris Masten. “The football world, I’ve enjoyed it and it’s been a fantastic part of my life, but I’m looking forward to being out of that AFL bubble … and go in a new direction like this with good people,” Kennedy told The West Australian in November. But Kennedy has also been linked to a potential local footy cameo at home club Northampton, while there’s speculation he could have a kick with Cervantes alongside fellow premiership Eagle Mark LeCras. If LeCras gets his wish, we could be seeing bags of goals in the 20s in the Central Midlands Coastal Football League. WHERE ARE THEY NOW? This is the class of 2022 delisted/retired players and what they’re doing in 2023 (Note: Not every player has locked in a club for the season or even decided if they want to play). Have an update on a player? Email [email protected] or tweet @bjwaterworth. ADELAIDE CROWS Luke Brown (retired) – Tea Tree Gully (Adelaide Footy League) Ben Davis (delisted) – TBC James Rowe (delisted) – Woodville-West Torrens (SANFL) Brett Turner (delisted) – Glenelg (SANFL) BRISBANE LIONS Mitchell Cox (delisted) – Williamstown (VFL) Connor McFadyen (delisted) – Sturt (SANFL) Mitch Robinson (retired) – Been playing for Darwin Buffaloes (NTFL) and will play for Morningside Panthers (QAFL) in 2023 Ely Smith (delisted) – South Adelaide (SANFL) Deividas Uosis (delisted) – TBC, but has been playing with Dingle (GAA) CARLTON Will Hayes (delisted) – Euroa (Goulburn Valley Football League) Oscar McDonald (delisted) – Williamstown (VFL) Jack Newnes (delisted) – TBC, but has been linked to a possible move to a VAFA club Luke Parks (delisted) – Carlton (VFL) Liam Stocker (delisted) – TBC, but has been invited to train with St Kilda (AFL) in the hope of winning a lifeline via the SSP Tom Williamson (delisted) – Ararat (Wimmera Football Netball League) COLLINGWOOD Callum Brown (delisted) – Box Hill Hawks (VFL) Tyler Brown (delisted) – TBC, but has been invited to train with Adelaide (AFL) in the hope of winning a lifeline via the SSP. If not, has been linked to Footscray (VFL). Isaac Chugg (delisted) – TBC, but set to play for Wonthaggi (Gippsland League) Jack Madgen (delisted) – Adelaide Crows (SANFL) Liam McMahon (delisted) – Carlton (VFL) Caleb Poulter (delisted) – TBC, but set to play for Footscray (VFL) Jordan Roughead (retired) – Opposition and development coach at Collingwood (AFL) and senior assistant at Collingwood (AFLW) ESSENDON Cody Brand (delisted) – Sunbury (Ballarat Football Netball League) Tom Cutler (delisted) – TBC Josh Eyre (delisted) – TBC, but has been invited to train with St Kilda (AFL) in the hope of winning a lifeline via the SSP Brayden Ham (delisted) – TBC, but set to play for Geelong (VFL) Tom Hird (delisted) – Port Melbourne (VFL) Michael Hurley (retired) – Development coach at Essendon (AFL) and will play for Macleod (Northern Football Netball League) Garrett McDonagh (delisted) – Richmond (VFL) Devon Smith (retired) – Player and co-coach at Lara (Geelong Football Netball Club) Alec Waterman (delisted) – West Coast Eagles (WAFL) FREMANTLE Mitch Crowden (delisted) – East Perth (WAFL) David Mundy (retired) – TBC, but strongly considering an off-field role at Perth (WAFL), while also linked to a role at Christ Church Grammar School’s football program Joel Western (delisted) – Claremont (WAFL) GEELONG CATS Luke Dahlhaus (retired) – Point Cook (Western Region Football League) Shaun Higgins (retired) – TBC, but has already indicated he’s won’t play local footy. Is already the director of financial advisory business One Private Wealth, but told reporters at a press conference last year “footy will be there in some capacity” in his 2023 plans. Quinton Narkle (delisted) – TBC, but has been invited to train with Richmond (AFL) in the hope of winning a lifeline via the SSP. Otherwise he’s likely to return to the WAFL. Joel Selwood (retired) – Leadership coach at Melbourne Storm (NRL) Nick Stevens (delisted) – TBC Paul Tsapatolis (delisted) – Point Cook (Western Region Football League) Zane Williams (delisted) – Woodville-West Torrens (SANFL) GOLD COAST SUNS Matt Conroy (delisted) – Southport (VFL) Jez McLennan (delisted) – Central District (SANFL) Oleg Markov (delisted) – TBC, but has been invited to train with Collingwood (AFL) in the hope of winning a lifeline via the SSP Patrick Murtagh (delisted) – Accepted into the NFL International Player Pathway Program, hoping to make the big league as a Tight End Rhys Nicholls (delisted) – West Adelaide (SANFL) Rory Thompson (retired) – TBC, but unlikely to play anywhere in 2023 GWS GIANTS Jarrod Brander (delisted) – Wentworth (Sunraysia Football Netball League) Matt de Boer (retired) – Will put more time and effort into the business he co-founded Athletic Ventures — an investment syndicate for elite athletes (current and former) wanting to invest in and support start-up businesses. Zach Sproule (delisted) – South Adelaide (SANFL) HAWTHORN Jackson Callow (delisted) – Norwood (SANFL) Connor Downie (delisted) – TBC, but linked to North Melbourne (VFL) Kyle Hartigan (delisted) – TBC Ben McEvoy (retired) – TBC, but has returned to the family farm in Dederang Tom Phillips (delisted) – Essendon (VFL) Jack Saunders (delisted) – Norwood (SANFL) MELBOURNE Mitch Brown (retired) – Mordialloc (Southern Football Netball League) Majak Daw (retired) – Played with Tiwi Bombers (NTFL) and North Heidelberg (Northern Football Netball League) Fraser Rosman (delisted) – Port Melbourne (VFL) NORTH MELBOURNE Atu Bosenavulagi (delisted) – TBC, but has opted to leave footy and pursue a rugby league career Kyron Hayden (delisted) – Subiaco (WAFL) Tom Lynch (retired) – Senior coach of North Melbourne (VFL) Matt McGuinness (delisted) – Southport (VFL) Jared Polec (delisted) – Yarraville-Seddon Eagles (Western Region Football Netball Legue) Josh Walker (delisted) – TBC, but linked to Balwyn (Eastern Football Netball League) Patrick Walker (delisted) – Norwood (SANFL) PORT ADELAIDE Martin Frederick (delisted) – Sturt (SANFL) Robbie Gray (retired) – Has joined Port Adelaide’s recruiting team and will play for Doncaster (Eastern Football Netball League) Sam Mayes (delisted) – North Adelaide (SANFL) Steven Motlop (retired) – Has been playing with Wanderers (NTFL) Taj Schofield (delisted) – Subiaco (WAFL) Sam Skinner (delisted) – South Adelaide (SANFL) RICHMOND Jake Aarts (delisted) – Dromana (Mornington Peninsula Football Netball League) Josh Caddy (retired) – Playing coach at Port Melbourne Colts (Southern Football Netball League) Riley Collier-Dawkins (delisted) – Woodville-West Torrens (SANFL) Shane Edwards (retired) — Indigenous Player Development Manager and recruiter at Adelaide (AFL) Kane Lambert (retired) – Development coach at Richmond (AFL) Will Martyn (delisted) – Port Melbourne (VFL) Matty Parker (delisted) – South Fremantle (WAFL) Sydney Stack (delisted) – TBC, but set to play for Perth (WAFL) ST KILDA Jarryn Geary (retired) – Eaglehawk (Bendigo Football League) Dan Hannebery (retired) – TBC, but has been linked to a possible move to a VAFA club Darragh Joyce (delisted) – Collingwood (VFL) Dean Kent (retired) – Devon Meadows (Mornington Peninsula Football Netball League) Jarrod Lienert (delisted) – TBC, but has been linked to assistant coaching role at North Melbourne (VFL) Paddy Ryder (retired) – Devon Meadows (Mornington Peninsula Football Netball League) SYDNEY SWANS James Bell (delisted) – Glenelg (SANFL) Josh Kennedy (retired) — Combining his passions for finance and youth mentorship in an ambassadorial role for Future Generation, which is the ASX-listed funds management company set up by Wilson Asset Management — a business Kennedy has been associated with for six years. Sam Naismith (delisted) – Port Melbourne (VFL) Barry O‘Connor (delisted) – TBC, but will return to Sydney and hopes to play in some capacity, plus he has finished a business degree Colin O‘Riordan (retired) – Had been playing for Tipperary (GAA), but is moving back to Australia. Recently graduated with first class honours in business marketing from Kaplan Business School. Ben Ronke (delisted) – TBC, but linked to Carlton (VFL) Callum Sinclair (retired) – Working full-time for Dexus in property development, but still could have a kick in Sydney at local level Lewis Taylor (delisted) – Terang-Mortlake (Hampden Football Netball League) WEST COAST EAGLES Hugh Dixon (delisted) – East Fremantle (WAFL) Tom Joyce (delisted) – East Fremantle (WAFL) Josh Kennedy (retired) – Launched Beyond Distilling — a distillery and cellar door in Busselton — with Eagles premiership teammate Chris Masten. Footy-wise, he could make a cameo for home club Northampton (Great Northern Football League), while there’s speculation he could have a kick with Cervantes (Central Midlands Coastal Football League) alongside fellow premiership Eagle Mark LeCras. Zac Langdon (delisted) – Set to play for West Perth (WAFL) while he also appears to be getting into a new career of personal training Patrick Naish (delisted) – Box Hill Hawks (VFL) Jackson Nelson (delisted) – West Coast Eagles (WAFL) Jack Redden (retired) – Willunga Demons (Great Southern Football League) Luke Strnadica – TBC, but has reportedly relocated to Narrogin for a job at Clontarf and could end up playing local footy in that area WESTERN BULLDOGS Louis Butler (delisted) – TBC, but has been linked to North Melbourne (VFL) Stefan Martin (retired) – Development coach at Western Bulldogs (AFL) Charlie Parker (delisted) – Sturt (SANFL) Mitch Wallis (delisted) – TBC, but has been linked to a possible move to a VAFA club
