With the trade period now firmly in the rear-view mirror, AFL clubs have one final opportunity to bolster their playing stocks before the 2026 National Draft gets underway on November 19.

That opportunity comes via the delisted free agency period, with foxfooty.com.au dissecting 19 players who have been cut by their clubs or could re-join an AFL list for the 2027 season.

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Note: St Kilda has verbally committed to signing Jake Stringer as a delisted free agent when the delisted free agency period opens from Monday, November 2.

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WIL PARKER

It’s been an incredible first six years as a professional athlete for Parker, who after playing first-class cricket for Victoria and on the Big Bash scene, then switched sporting codes to feature 14 times at senior level for Collingwood. The 24-year-old was cut after three seasons at the Magpies, but is expected to put pen to paper with Carlton at the start of next month as a delisted free agent.

Wil Parker with ball-in-hand during his final AFL match in Collingwood colours, against the Western Bulldogs in Round 12, 2026.Source: Getty Images

ELIJAH TSATAS

After being taken with pick No.5 in the 2022 draft, the Surrey Park product featured 22 times at the top level for Essendon — starting half a dozen of those matches as the now-defunct substitute. Continuity was very hard to come by for Tsatas at AFL level, playing between four and seven games in each of his four seasons. A lifeline appears almost certain for the 22-year-old though, with North Melbourne heavily linked to him alongside Richmond’s Samson Ryan. Midfield opportunity may be tough to come by initially, but a fresh start will surely do Tsatas the world of good.

Tsatas played 22 games in four seasons at the Bombers.Source: Getty Images

GEORGE STEVENS

The Cats young gun, much like his teammate Mitch Knevitt, was ultimately the victim of an incredibly strong list at his club of three seasons. Taken with pick No. 58 in the 2023 National Draft, the South Warrnambool product only managed four senior games for Geelong. During that time though, he dominated in the club’s reserves side — eventually rewarded for his persistence in the form of the J.J. Liston Trophy, which he won alongside Frankston captain Trent Mynott. Stevens was loosely linked with Adelaide during last year’s trade period, but would be a very handy acquisition for most AFL clubs.

Stevens poses for a photo as the joint winner of the J.J. Liston Trophy (VFL Best and Fairest) at the Crown Palladium on September 14th, 2026.Source: Getty Images

BAILEY BANFIELD

After making his AFL debut back in 2018, Banfield played 118 matches for Fremantle by the end of the 2025 season. However, with the Dockers’ ultra-strong list and clean bill of health, the 28-year-old didn’t appear at the top level in his final year on the club. Banfield’s tireless work with the Freo Cares program saw him awarded the prestigious Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award this year, leading the club in supporting key community causes. Since his delisting, the Claremont product has been linked with Essendon, who has been granted extra list spots by the AFL for 2027.

Banfield playing in Peel Thunder’s Round 12 WAFL match against West Perth earlier this year.Source: Getty Images

SAMSON RYAN

The 206cm big man was delisted only last week by Richmond, despite having a year to run on his contract at Punt Road. Taken with pick No.40 in the 2020 National Draft, Ryan never quite had the impact some would have hoped at senior level, playing as a ruck-forward for the majority of his 31 senior games. In a surprise twist after his delisting though, North Melbourne is reportedly set to sign him as a delisted free agent, with the hope of deepening their tall stocks.

A surprise lifeline is reportedly on the cards for the former Tigers tall.Source: Getty Images

MITCH KNEVITT

Another young gun who’s opportunity at senior level has been compromised purely by the sheer strength of his club. Knevitt has proven himself a class above VFL level for several seasons now, but after 23 games in the senior side, his career at Geelong is in limbo. The 23-year-old was the Cats’ final list change for the off-season, however, the club hasn’t ruled out re-selecting him in next month’s draft. It’s a brutal period for the Grovedale product to wait out, but you certainly wouldn’t question any club if they were to swoop in and make him their own.

Knevitt could yet still be a Geelong Cat next season, with the club open to re-drafting him next month.Source: Getty Images

OLLIE LORD

During Lord’s early years at Port Adelaide, it was a surplus of key forwards that prevented the East Brighton product from opportunities at senior level. A four-goal haul against Brisbane in a losing qualifying final in 2023 looked to be a sign of things to come, before an impaction fracture in his tibia severely compromised his next season. His next major, and final, injury at Alberton came in Round 2 of the SANFL season this year, where he cruelly ruptured his ACL. St Kilda was linked months ago to the 35-gamer, while Essendon more recently has been eyeing him off. Melbourne would also suit as a potential Victorian-based club, even with the acquisition of former Lion Will McLachlan.

Lord leaves the field after anAAMI Community Series win over West Coast in February this year.Source: Getty Images

HENRY HUSTWAITE

A year after being proposed in a trade to Essendon when Hawthorn first tried to lure Zach Merrett, Hustwaite was cut by the Hawks after 11 senior games in four seasons. The 22-year-old, like a few former teammates, looks to have been a victim of their club’s strengthening list in the last couple years. His sole appearance at the top level in 2026 was in a loss to Melbourne in Round 10, however his season ended in style with a VFL premiership for Box Hill — a match where he racked up 27 disposals, nine tackles and seven clearances.

Hustwaite with one of his dozen kicks and 27 disposals in Box Hill Hawks’ 2026 VFL Grand Final win over Geelong in late September.Source: Getty Images

ANDY MONIZ-WAKEFIELD

An ACL injury in Round 12 against GWS ended Moniz-Wakefield’s time at Melbourne in heartbreaking fashion, having ruptured his ACL, MCL and PCL in a pre-season game only 15 months earlier. His cruel run with injury meant the 22-year-old only took to the field eight times at senior level, but his dash and flare coming off half-back was evident in the few games he did play. Is there a world the Demons would invite him to train on with them this summer, given the dozen list changes they’ve had in 2026?

A dejected Moniz-Wakefield after Melbourne’s Round 19 loss to Fremantle at Optus Stadium back in 2024.Source: Getty Images

LACHIE MCNEIL

Established small forwards are harder and harder to find in the AFL these days, and while Lachie McNeil’s hold on the position at the Western Bulldogs loosened before his ultimate delisting, the 25-year-old South Australian is still more than capable at the level. Often a role-player in Luke Beveridge’s forward half, McNeil reportedly has had interest from Essendon as a potential second home. As the only small forward on this list, he may be the best of the rest in his position.

McNeil played at least 11 senior games in each of his six seasons at Whitten Oval.Source: Getty Images

MAX RAMSDEN

The short-term future of Hawthorn’s forward-ruck is arguably as intriguing as any on this list. While the 203cm was delisted by the Hawks at the conclusion of the trade period, he has been offered the opportunity — alongside Flynn Perez — to train-on with the club over the pre-season with the chance of winning back his spot. The particularly intriguing detail, however, is that North Melbourne have reportedly held preliminary interest in Ramsden, making his decision on where to try train this off-season not as clear cut. Much like delisted teammate James Blanck, Ramsden was taken in the 2022 mid-season draft. He played 11 senior games in those four-and-a-half seasons, with two of those coming this year.

Ramsden (right) celebrates winning the 2026 VFL Premiership with Box Hill Hawks teammate (and now Melbourne Demon) Bodie Ryan.Source: Getty Images

DARRAGH JOYCE

After half a decade at St Kilda, Joyce was signed in the 2023 Supplemental Selection Period by Brisbane. The mature-age key defender proved himself as valuable defensive depth when called upon in the senior side, but given the sheer strength of the Lions’ dynasty, regular opportunity was hard to come by. At 29 years of age, any club who wanted to pursue him would know what they’re getting in the form of a reliable backman. Back home in Ireland before pursuing Australian rules, Joyce captained Kilkenny to All-Ireland minor hurling success.

Joyce provided Brisbane with a plethora of defensive depth during his time at Springfield… and would be a shrewd selectionSource: Getty Images

JACK WILLIAMS

One of the more eyebrow-raising delistings of the off-season, the 22-year-old key forward was cut by the Eagles after the trade period despite featuring a dozen times at the top level this year. After six seasons and 54 games at the club however, he and the Eagles parted ways to leave him hopeful of an AFL lifeline. The Rossmoyne product was arguably also victim to a lack of opportunity up forward during his time in the senior side, but with the ability to pinch-hit in the ruck, would be a shrewd pick-up if given the chance.

Williams looks on in his final game at the Eagles in Round 24 this year against Hawthorn at Optus Stadium.Source: Getty Images

JAMES BLANCK

Picked up as a mid-season draftee in the 2022 mid-season draft, Blanck played 24 games at senior level as a key defender across his first two seasons, before an ACL rupture in early 2024 sidelined him for a prolonged period. From there, the 197cm defender’s early promise was only seen at VFL level, not featuring in the senior side during his final three years at the club. The big-bodied stopper, like many players on this list, remains a low-risk depth option for clubs looking to bolster key defensive stocks. Like Henry Hustwaite and Max Ramsden also on this list, Blanck played a key part in Box Hill’s VFL flag this year.

Blanck (left) celebrates with Max Ramsden after wining the 2026 VFL Premiership.Source: Getty Images

SAM STURT

Fremantle’s first-round pick from the 2018 draft was delisted after the Dockers’ Grand Final run, having managed just 31 AFL games and 43 goals across eight injury-interrupted seasons. The medium forward’s 2024 campaign — a career-best 21 goals from 13 games — was where fans saw him play his best footy at the top level. At 190cm and not quite a key forward, Sturt’s role was often tougher than other teammates inside forward 50, but it also made him a versatile magnet on the whiteboard. A number of injury setbacks unfortunately prevented him from appearing at AFL level in his final two seasons at Cockburn, but as a composed set shot with a solid aerial craft, he would be a low-risk depth option for clubs looking to add a reliable figure, when fit, into their forward half.

Sturt celebrates in Round 20, 2024 against the West Coast Eagles.Source: Getty Images

AND A COUPLE OF OTHER CATEGORY B OPTIONS…

With the AFL confirming that additional First Nations list spots will be introduced for the 2027 season, a unique second chance remains possible for several delisted players.

After 183 games across GWS and Carlton, dashing defender Zac Williams has been touted as a potential option for clubs this off-season. Both Sydney and Essendon have been linked to the 32-year-old in recent weeks.

In South Australia, local talent Isaac Keeler is understood to have had interest from Port Adelaide, where he has close friends at the club. The Crows could also very much be in the frame to give the 22-year-old an AFL lifeline.

Out of Arden Street, small forward Robert Hansen is another AFL-ready First Nations player who rival clubs are sure to have preliminary interest in.

And while he hasn’t played at AFL level since Round 10, 2022, foxfooty.com.au’s Ben Waterworth revealed earlier this month that former Sydney Swan James Bell has notable interest from GWS as a candidate for the league’s new list spot initiative.