{"id":440982,"date":"2026-01-27T15:48:38","date_gmt":"2026-01-27T15:48:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/440982\/"},"modified":"2026-01-27T15:48:38","modified_gmt":"2026-01-27T15:48:38","slug":"the-one-time-afl-outcasts-making-the-most-of-their-second-chance-afl-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/440982\/","title":{"rendered":"The one-time AFL outcasts making the most of their second chance – AFL News"},"content":{"rendered":"

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When Ben Keays<\/a> was delisted by the Lions at the end of 2019, it appeared a sad ending to a once-promising junior career.<\/p>\n

A highly touted Brisbane Lions<\/a> Academy talent, the Lions drafted Keays with Pick 24 at the 2015 Draft. The Lions would have had high hopes for the midfielder-forward, but after just 30 games and four seasons on the list, he was delisted in 2019 after failing to cement a role in the Lions’ engine room.<\/p>\n

At the time, Keays’ AFL<\/a> career looked all but over.<\/p>\n

But since then, it has been an extraordinary rise to AFL<\/a> regular for the hard-running left-footer, becoming a poster boy for perseverance in the process.<\/p>\n

He is now a Crows best and fairest winner, club vice-captain and has not missed a game since his club debut in Round 2 of 2020.<\/p>\n

And Keays’ story is no longer an outlier in the modern AFL<\/a> landscape either.<\/p>\n

Across the competition, a growing number of players are being delisted by one club, only to resurrect their career elsewhere and emerge as an important part of another club’s system.<\/p>\n

Former Bomber Patrick Voss<\/a> was delisted after going untried at senior level by Essendon, despite winning the club’s VFL best and fairest in his last year at the club.<\/p>\n

Voss was invited to train with Fremantle at the end of 2023 during the Supplementary Selection Period, with the Dockers opting to offer the key-forward a contract following his trial period.<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/p>\n

He has since become a cult figure at the Dockers, with his energy and physicality making him a fan favourite. But Voss is more than just an icon, as he averaged 10 disposals, 3.3 marks and almost two goals a game from 20 games in 2025, including a six-goal haul against Collingwood at the MCG.<\/p>\n

He was rewarded with a four-year contract that ties him to the Dockers until the end of 2030, capping off a remarkable career turnaround.<\/p>\n

Former Eagle Jai Culley<\/a> has also found success in a new environment following his delisting at West Coast.<\/p>\n

The mid-season draftee ruptured his ACL in 2023 at the Eagles, before playing just three games in 2024 before he was delisted.<\/p>\n

After originally signing as a VFL player at state league affiliate Casey, the Demons gave Culley a career lifeline by signing him in late February following a season-ending knee injury to Andy Moniz-Wakefield<\/a>.<\/p>\n

He played his first game in Demons colours late in 2025, proving he has what it takes to succeed at the highest level with four solid outings.<\/p>\n

However, it has been his pre-season form that has Demons fans excited, with Culley poised to take the next step in his development following a rollercoaster four seasons in the AFL<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Jai Culley is on one right now \ud83d\udd25\ud83e\udd75 Match sim highlights and report below.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcdd | https:\/\/t.co\/lwl6Vl4Iol<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/EHnU5aMo9v<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Melbourne Demons (@melbournefc) January 16, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Former Sydney defender Toby Pink<\/a> forced his way back onto an AFL<\/a> list through dominant SANFL form with Glenelg, earning a contract at North Melbourne as a mature-age key-position utility. Delisted without debuting at the Swans, Pink’s return to the AFL<\/a> system is evidence of the growing value clubs are placing on strong state-league performance and physically mature players.<\/p>\n

Ex-Hawthorn midfielder Ned Long<\/a> followed a similar path after being delisted in 2023, earning a career lifeline at Collingwood following strong VFL form. He has since carved out a role in Craig McRae’s team as a defensively-oriented midfielder<\/p>\n

Carlton’s Francis Evans<\/a> has also resurrected his AFL<\/a> career after being delisted by Geelong and Port Adelaide, earning a fresh opportunity at the Blues. Evans has proven he is more than capable at AFL<\/a> level as a small forward, booting 11 goals in the last four games of 2025 to earn himself a fresh one-year deal.<\/p>\n

The growing number of second-chance success stories is no coincidence. Delisted players are becoming a low-risk, high-reward weapon for list managers.<\/p>\n

They are often far more AFL-ready than teenage draftees, and in a competition with tight salary caps and small list sizes, second-chance recruits allow clubs to address immediate list needs without sacrificing draft capital or a significant amount of the salary cap.<\/p>\n

The resurgence of players like Keays, Voss and Culley reflects a shift in AFL<\/a> list management strategy. Delisting a player is sometimes no longer a final verdict on a player’s ability, but instead a reflection of timing and list balance. Clubs are now more willing than ever to re-evaluate players they believe other teams gave up on too early.<\/p>\n