There’s always two sides to the story during the flurry of post-season AFL list changes.
In late November across the national and rookie drafts, just over 80 footballers for the first time won themselves spots on AFL clubs lists for the 2024 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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It means that just over 90 men that were full-time footballers in 2023 won’t have the same title in 2024, after they either announced their retirement or were delisted by their respective clubs.
So foxfooty.com.au has compiled its annual list of where the recently-departed AFL players are set to play footy this year, as well as discovered some of their work plans.
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 19.
Former Saints duo Jack Bytel and Dan McKenzie, as well as ex-Bomber Patrick Voss, former Hawk Ned Long and ex-Power ruck Brynn Teakle are all in the mix for AFL lifelines. Bytel, Long and Teakle are all training at reigning premiers Collingwood, while Voss and McKenzie have moved west to train under Justin Longmuir at Fremantle.
The expectation late last year was that delisted Magpie Will Kelly would also receive a train-on opportunity with the Pies, but that never came to fruition.
Now, Kelly has been linked to the Sydney Swans’ VFL team. In fact, foxfooty.com.au understands Kelly has been spotted at the Swans’ headquarters in recent weeks.
As per usual, the majority of the recently delisted players have been snapped up by keen state league clubs.
And no state league team has been more active than VFL club Port Melbourne. In fact veteran reporter Paul Amy wrote on X last month that Borough football manager Glenn Balmforth had been “finalising more contracts than a suburban solicitor”.
Port Melbourne in recent months has signed a whopping seven recent ex-AFL players — and it could be eight should Voss miss out on a gig at the Dockers.
Ex-Bulldogs duo Robbie McComb and Roarke Smith, as well as Sam Philp (Carlton), Flynn Kroeger (Geelong), Kye Turner (Melbourne), Tom Highmore (St Kilda) and Lachlan Rankin (Sydney) have all signed on with the Borough in recent months, as well as a host of gun state league players and former Bulldog Billy Gowers.
Some state league clubs in recent years have been able to sign four, possibly five players immediately out of the AFL system. But for the Borough to land seven, potentially eight, in the one off-season is significant.
Port Melbourne, which this year celebrates its 150th season, is looking to return to the VFL finals for the first time since 2019.
Fellow VFL club Williamstown has signed Blake Coleman (Brisbane Lions), Brodie McLaughlin (Gold Coast Suns) and Aiden Bonar (North Melbourne), while Footscray has secured the services of Trent Bianco (Collingwood), Rhett Montgomerie (Essendon) and Cameron Owen (Sydney). Essendon, too, has bolstered its VFL team by signing Jackson Hately (Adelaide), Xavier O’Neill (West Coast) and, most recently, Jack Peris (St Kilda).
Woodville-West Torrens has been busy in the SANFL, picking up Cameron Fleeton (GWS Giants), Josh Morris (Hawthorn) and Nathan Barkla (Port Adelaide), while West Coast’s WAFL team has signed ex-Pie Trey Ruscoe and ex-Giant Jason Gillbee — the latter joining the team after best mate Harley Reid was taken by the Eagles with Pick 1 in last year’s national draft.
But there’s an array of former AFL player that are bound for local and country leagues in 2024.
Ex-Blue Lochie O’Brien and ex-Hawk Fergus Greene both had ample offers, but ultimately chose to go country. Greene will return to Sandhurst in the Bendigo League, while O’Brien will line up for Wangaratta in the Ovens and Murray.
Former Carlton midfielder Ed Curnow has signed on to be the playing-coach of Lorne, premiership ruck Scott Lycett will play for Port District in the Adelaide Footy League and Aaron Hall, Tom Hickey and Hayden Crozier will all play in the QAFL.
Perhaps the biggest coup though was Warrnambool securing the signature of Kangaroos champion Ben Cunnington, who’ll line up in the Hampden League.
“Every club this side of Geelong understood that there was a well known footballer coming back to town,” Warrnambool coach Dan O’Keefe told Code Sports in October.
“Ben went through the process which gave a lot of clubs the opportunity to speak to him. He was very respectful in that way and didn’t lead anyone on.
“We were the lucky club at the end of the road that were able to acquire him.”
There are several members of the 2023 playing departures class remaining at AFL club land in an off-field capacity.
Norm Smith medallist Luke Shuey has stayed on at West Coast to be an assistant coach, while Roos great Jack Ziebell has joined Richmond’s coaching panel where he’ll help Chris Newman look after the midfield.
Andrew McPherson (Adelaide) and Daniel Rich (Brisbane) have stayed on at their clubs as development coaches — Rich’s role is a little more broad — while ex-Giant Daniel Lloyd has also joined the Lions as a development coach.
Some are opting to get away from footy.
Ex-ruck Jon Ceglar said he “definitely won’t play” in 2024. He’s keen to keep his weekends free and his career options open, while he’s also had an agistment farm near Yackandandah
“I want to totally step away from football for at least 12 months and I couldn’t commit to any club at the moment because the body is fairly banged up and needs a good rest,” Ceglar told The Border Mail in October.
“I feel it would be unfair of me to put my hand out and ask for a substantial amount of money, knowing that my body will most likely let me down.”
Former Cat Sam Menegola is unlikely to play, too. Previously part-time, he’s now gone full-time at Willis Towers Watson as an insurance broker, with his weekends to now be made up of family time and cycling.
Premiership Demon Michael Hibberd had been keen to play somewhere in 2024, but if where that is — and how available he’ll be — remains unclear as he’s pursuing a career as a firefighter post-AFL career.
As per Local Footy, Hibberd late last year passed the Fire Rescue Victoria physical aptitude test and is progressing well. Foxfooty.com.au understands his firefighting ambitions are his top priority, so the possibility of shift work will dictate how much footy he plays in 2024.
While Hibberd is keen to be a firey, ex-Lion Rhys Mathieson has also flagged an interest in becoming a cop.
After missing out on an AFL lifeline, Mathieson became one of the most in-demand players among state league and local clubs. Ultimately, he chose to stay in Queensland, signing with QAFL club Wilston Grange Gorillas, while he’s also recently linked up with the Darwin Buffaloes in the NTFL.
Outside of his footy, Mathieson has suggested he has an interest in joining the police force.
“If I had never played AFL I would have liked to have joined a more combative side like the army, or something like that,” Mathieson told SEN Breakfast last year.
“Since I’ve been playing footy, I feel like working for the police force was the next best thing I wanted after footy life. So a couple of years in there and hopefully the bigger picture with the SWAT team.”
And as for Gold Coast resident Buddy?
Well aside from partnering with several brands already, there’s a cheeky push for Lance Franklin to make a cameo appearance for Palm Beach Currumbin in the QAFL at some stage this year.
Franklin, one of the greatest players of the modern era, has links to the club through new recruit Hickey, while he also knows coach David Armitage well.
While no official approach from the club has been to Franklin yet, Armitage last year put the possibility of a Buddy cameo on the radar.
“Hopefully we can get him to play a game,” Armitage told SEN Breakfast with a laugh.
“If we can get the Buddy Show happening, that’d be huge.”
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
This is the class of 2023 delisted/retired players and what they’re doing in 2024 (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
Tyler Brown (delisted) — Box Hill Hawks (VFL)
Jackson Hately (delisted) — Essendon (VFL)
Fischer McAsey (retired) — TBC after taking a break from footy in 2023, but continuing work with UpLift — a company he co-founded that teaches Breathwork techniques.
Andrew McPherson (delisted) — Development coach at Adelaide (AFL)
Tariek Newchurch (delisted) — North Adelaide (SANFL)
Paul Seedsman (retired) — TBC after retiring due to concussion.
BRISBANE LIONS
Marcus Adams (retired) — TBC after retiring due to concussion.
Nakia Cockatoo (retired) — Been playing for Southern Districts (NTFL).
Blake Coleman (delisted) — Williamstown (VFL)
Rhys Mathieson (delisted) — Wilston Grange Gorillas (QAFL)
Darryl McDowell-White jnr (delisted) — Brisbane Lions (VFL), plus he has secured a role with a local school working in the Indigenous space.
Daniel Rich (retired) — Wellbeing and development role at Brisbane Lions (AFL)
CARLTON
Ed Curnow (retired) — Playing coach at Lorne (Colac and District FNL)
Josh Honey (delisted) — Keilor (Essendon DFL)
Lochie O’Brien (delisted) — Wangaratta (Ovens and Murray FL)
Sam Philp (delisted) — Port Melbourne (VFL)
Lachie Plowman (retired) — Maribyrnong Park (EDFL)
COLLINGWOOD
Trent Bianco (delisted) — Footscray Bulldogs (VFL)
Arlo Draper (delisted) — South Adelaide (SANFL)
Will Kelly (delisted) — TBC, but has been linked to Sydney Swans’ VFL team.
Cooper Murley (delisted) — Norwood (SANFL)
Trey Ruscoe (delisted) — West Coast Eagles (WAFL)
Tom Wilson (delisted) — TBC, but has a start-up clothing business Colour Plane.
ESSENDON
Alastair Lord (delisted) — Norwood (SANFL)
Cian McBride (delisted) — TBC, but linked with a return to Meath (GAA).
Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti (retired) — Been playing for Tiwi Bombers (NTFL)
Rhett Montgomerie (delisted) — Footscray Bulldogs (VFL)
Anthony Munkara (delisted) — Been playing for Waratah (NTFL)
Andrew Phillips (retired) — Lauderdale (TSL)
Will Snelling (delisted) — Sturt (SANFL)
James Stewart (delisted) — TBC
Patrick Voss (delisted) — TBC, but has been invited to train with Fremantle (AFL) in the hope of winning a lifeline via the SSP. Should he not get that lifeline, he has committed to Port Melbourne (VFL).
FREMANTLE
Eric Benning (delisted) — Claremont (WAFL)
Travis Colyer (delisted) — TBC
Nathan Wilson (delisted) — Peel Thunder (WAFL)
GEELONG CATS
Jonathon Ceglar (retired) — Stepping away from footy for at least 12 months. Has an agistment farm near Yackandandah.
Flynn Kroeger (delisted) — Port Melbourne (VFL)
Sam Menegola (delisted) — Unlikely to play. Previously part-time, he’s now gone full-time at Willis Towers Watson as an insurance broker.
Osca Riccardi (delisted) — Geelong Cats (VFL)
Sam Simpson (delisted) — Perth (WAFL)
Isaac Smith (retired) — Likely to venture into media. Also has ties to an in-home aged care provider business Home at Heart.
Cooper Whyte (delisted) — Werribee (VFL)
GOLD COAST SUNS
Jed Anderson (delisted) — Has been starring with Southern Districts (NTFL).
Connor Blakely (retired) — TBC, but has been spotted playing cricket in Queensland for Burleigh Cricket Club and in the Bunbury and Districts Cricket Association for Hay Park.
Charlie Constable (retired) — Perth (WAFL)
Brodie McLaughlin (delisted) — Williamstown (VFL)
Jake Stein (delisted) — TBC, but is keen to stay in sport after studying sports management, leadership and sports business.
GWS GIANTS
Phil Davis (retired) — TBC, but has slotted straight into radio roles in recent months.
Cameron Fleeton (delisted) — Woodville-West Torrens (SANFL)
Jason Gillbee (delisted) — West Coast Eagles (WAFL)
Daniel Lloyd (retired) — Development coach with Brisbane Lions (AFL)
HAWTHORN
Fergus Greene (delisted) — Sandhurst (Bendigo FNL)
Ned Long (delisted) — TBC, but has been invited to train with Collingwood (AFL) in the hope of winning a lifeline via the SSP. If not, is expected to join Collingwood’s VFL side.
Max Lynch (retired) — Retired due to concussion, so is studying a bachelor of education while doing some part-time work as a teaching aide. Moving back to Albury/Wodonga area.
Josh Morris (delisted) — Woodville-West Torrens (SANFL)
Fionn O’Hara (delisted) — Westmeath (GAA)
MELBOURNE
Luke Dunstan (retired) — Development coach at Brighton Grammar and coaching/playing role at South Belgrave (EFNL).
Michael Hibberd (retired) — TBC, but keen to play somewhere in 2024. Is also pursuing a career as a firefighter.
Deakyn Smith (delisted) — North Melbourne (VFL)
Kye Turner (delisted) — Port Melbourne (VFL)
NORTH MELBOURNE
Aiden Bonar (delisted) — Williamstown (VFL)
Ben Cunnington (retired) — Warrnambool (Hampden FNL)
Jacob Edwards (delisted) — Cheltenham (SFNL)
Aaron Hall (retired) — Playing-assistant coach role at Palm Beach Currumbin (QAFL)
Daniel Howe (retired) — TBC
Flynn Perez (delisted) — Sturt (SANFL)
Phoenix Spicer (delisted) — Been playing for Darwin Buffaloes (NTFL)
Kayne Turner (delisted) — Balwyn (EFNL)
Lachie Young (delisted) — Carlton (VFL)
Jack Ziebell (retired) — Assistant coach at Richmond (AFL).
PORT ADELAIDE
Nathan Barkla (delisted) — Woodville-West Torrens (SANFL)
Trent Dumont (delisted) — Assistant coach at Coburg (VFL)
Sam Hayes (delisted) — TBC, but keen to make a name in the music industry as a producer.
Tom Jonas (retired) — TBC, but has been studying an MBA at Torrens University. Also has a wine business Hey Diddle Wines, while he’s been a leadership consultant with the South Australian Cricket Association for the past few months.
Scott Lycett (retired) — Port District (Adelaide Footy League)
Jake Pasini (delisted) — Swan Districts (WAFL)
Brynn Teakle (delisted) — TBC, but has been invited to train with Collingwood (AFL) in the hope of winning a lifeline via the SSP.
RICHMOND
Kaelan Bradtke (delisted) — TBC
Jason Castagna (retired) — Has established himself a tattoo artist.
Trent Cotchin (retired) — Dabbled in media work late last year so could explore that further. Also business interests with Coreplus Studio and Posisocks.
Jack Riewoldt (retired) — Working for the Tasmania Football Club, leading a consultation project with communities, clubs and stakeholders to develop the DNA of the club (aka ‘The Fabric’). Will continue his role with Fox Footy. Also committed to one cameo game for Clarence TSL.
Robbie Tarrant (retired) — TBC
ST KILDA
Oscar Adams (delisted) — Glenelg (SANFL)
Jack Bytel (delisted) — TBC, but has been invited to train with Collingwood (AFL) in the hope of winning a lifeline via the SSP.
Leo Connolly (delisted) — Casey Demons (VFL)
Tom Highmore (delisted) — Port Melbourne (VFL)
Dan McKenzie (delisted) — TBC, but has been invited to train with Fremantle (AFL) in the hope of winning a lifeline via the SSP.
Jack Peris (delisted) — Essendon (VFL)
SYDNEY SWANS
Ryan Clarke (delisted) — Signed with Waratah (NTFL)
Will Gould (delisted) — Glenelg (SANFL)
Hugo Hall-Kahan (delisted) — Sandringham Zebras (VFL)
Lance Franklin (retired) — TBC, but clearly has the world at his feet. Has relocated to Gold Coast — and Palm Beach Currumbin (QAFL) is cheekily hopeful of a cameo appearance, especially after signing fellow ex-Swan Tom Hickey.
Tom Hickey (retired) — Palm Beach Currumbin (QAFL)
Paddy McCartin (retired) — TBC after retiring due to concussion.
Cameron Owen (delisted) — Footscray Bulldogs (VFL)
Lachlan Rankin (delisted) — Port Melbourne (VFL)
Marc Sheather (delisted) — GWS Giants (VFL)
WEST COAST EAGLES
Greg Clark (delisted) — Subiaco (WAFL)
Luke Foley (delisted) — Subiaco (WAFL)
Shannon Hurn (retired) — TBC, but flagged in his retirement press conference he was keen to have a short-term break from footy and return to farm life. He was spotted in the Perth Scorchers’ dugout during one of the club’s recent BBL games.
Nic Naitanui (retired) — TBC, but was initially hopeful of remaining with the Eagles in some capacity.
Xavier O’Neill (delisted) — Essendon (VFL)
Samo Petrevski-Seton (delisted) — TBC
Luke Shuey (retired) — Assistant coach at West Coast Eagles (AFL)
Connor West (delisted) — West Perth (WAFL)
Isiah Winder (delisted) — South Fremantle (WAFL)
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Josh Bruce (retired) — Assistant playing coach at Eastlake (AFL Canberra)
Hayden Crozier (retired) — Surfers Paradise Demons (QAFL)
Mitch Hannan (delisted) — TBC, but has been linked to Southport (VFL)
Robbie McComb (delisted) — Port Melbourne (VFL)
Toby McLean (delisted) — Old Ivanhoe Grammarians (VAFA)
Tim O’Brien (delisted) — Doncaster East (EFNL)
Cody Raak (delisted) — North Adelaide (SANFL)
Roarke Smith (delisted) — Port Melbourne (VFL)
