{"id":938664,"date":"2026-10-24T00:42:26","date_gmt":"2026-10-24T00:42:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/938664\/"},"modified":"2026-10-24T00:42:26","modified_gmt":"2026-10-24T00:42:26","slug":"afl-delistings-2026-every-player-in-line-to-be-signed-as-delisted-free-agent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/938664\/","title":{"rendered":"AFL delistings 2026: Every player in line to be signed as delisted free agent"},"content":{"rendered":"

With trade period in the rear-view mirror, clubs are in the final stages of organising their senior lists ahead of the October 30 list lodgement deadline and AFL draft next month<\/a>. <\/p>\n

The majority of post-season delistings have been formalised and already the likes of Jake Stringer and Harry Cunningham have found lifelines at new clubs. <\/p>\n

But who else is in the mix for a second chance when the delisted free agent window opens on November 2?<\/p>\n

Sometimes, one team\u2019s trash is another\u2019s treasure. <\/p>\n

Just ask Gold Coast, which swooped on Fremantle delisted free agent Sam Collins in 2019, or Collingwood which has enjoyed back-to-back 30-goal campaigns from Tim Membrey after he was unwanted by St Kilda.<\/p>\n

Adelaide ruckman Lachlan McAndrew is the most recent example of a discarded player who then excelled at a rival club. <\/p>\n

McAndrew was delisted by Sydney at the end of 2024, joined the Crows as a rookie ahead of the 2025 season and this year finished runner-up in the club\u2019s best and fairest. <\/p>\n

Sometimes a change of scenery is all that is needed. <\/p>\n

So which players could go around again next year<\/a>? <\/p>\n

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE EVERY CLUB\u2019S DELISTINGS<\/p>\n

BOBBY HILL<\/p>\n

The 2023 Norm Smith medallist was a topic of conversation during the trade period. Both West Coast and St Kilda would not rule out a potential play at the former Collingwood forward. <\/p>\n

It would be a deep cut to Magpie fans if Hill, who turns 27 in February, walked away from football only to backflip and join a rival less than 12 months later \u2013 but it would be good for the game to see him on an AFL field again. <\/p>\n

Eagles list boss Matt Clarke said \u201cmost clubs\u201d would do their due diligence on Hill, who last month confirmed he wanted to return to the AFL. <\/p>\n

JAKE STRINGER<\/p>\n

Whatever issues that coincided with Stringer departing Greater Western Sydney on the heels of a 48-goal campaign weren\u2019t enough to dissuade St Kilda from signing the 32-year-old to a one-year deal that will become official next month.<\/p>\n

Former St Kilda coach Grant Thomas wasn\u2019t a fan of the move. He labelled the Stringer signing \u201cbaffling\u201d, but the Saints clearly feel the juice is worth the squeeze if he can produce another 40-goal season in 2027.<\/p>\n

HARRY CUNNINGHAM<\/p>\n

Sydney had a one-year deal on the table but granted Cunningham a quid pro quo delisting so he could join Adelaide on a two-year contract. <\/p>\n

The Crows will add the 233-game veteran to their rookie list for 2027 as key defensive depth with a pathway into coaching available to the 32-year-old once he retires. <\/p>\n

But Cunningham\u2019s impressive performance in Sydney\u2019s qualifying final win over eventual premier the Brisbane Lions last month proved he still has plenty to give on the field before his transition into coaching. <\/p>\n

He joins a larger-than-anticipated backline room after Adelaide didn\u2019t trade contracted defender Nick Murray to North Melbourne. <\/p>\n

ZAC WILLIAMS<\/p>\n

The delisted Carlton defender could continue his career at a third club in 2027 with the likes of Sydney and Essendon both considering him for the new additional Category B Rookie list spot. <\/p>\n

A recent rule change set to come into effect from next year would give clubs an extra Cat B spot for Indigenous players. Whether the spirit of the rule extends to clubs signing a 32-year-old veteran is up for discussion \u2013 but it does give Williams a lifeline to continue his career elsewhere. He looms as a shrewd addition for the Swans to restock their running defender stocks after trading Nick Blakey to North Melbourne. <\/p>\n

ELIJAH TSATAS<\/p>\n

Essendon finally gave up on the 2022 No.5 pick who could never quite settle himself in the Bombers\u2019 struggling senior side. He played just 22 senior games in four seasons. But the 22-year-old\u2019s draft pedigree meant multiple clubs inquired about his future and Tsatas appears set to sign for North Melbourne. <\/p>\n

ADAM SAAD<\/p>\n

The Josh Fraser era at Carlton is now in full effect with the 2022 All-Australian cut by the Blues on Thursday after he played just three senior games in 2026. The 32-year-old, 219-game veteran has not ruled out wanting to play on next year and would add some run and class to any shallow half-back line.<\/p>\n

SAMSON RYAN<\/p>\n

Richmond delisted Callum Coleman-Jones but the Kangaroos look set to take a punt on another ex-Tiger tall with Ryan linked to a move to Arden St. <\/p>\n

Ryan played just 31 games across six seasons at Punt Rd and struggled to lock down a regular spot in the ruck or as a key forward. He would join the Kangaroos as a depth option but 206cm players don\u2019t grow on trees and at 26 he still has time to break through. <\/p>\n

WIL PARKER<\/p>\n

After 14 games in three years Parker was delisted by Collingwood, but his AFL career might not be over just yet. Carlton is interested in adding the 24-year-old defender to its list next month. The Blues cut ties with Zac Williams and Adam Saad and Parker would be a younger, cheaper option to help rejuvenate to their running defender depth. <\/p>\n

HARRY DEMATTIA<\/p>\n

Collingwood delisted the 21-year-old midfielder this week but has committed to redrafting him as a rookie. The No.25 pick in 2023, DeMattia is yet to play a game at senior level but the Magpies have not completely given up on him as an AFL player. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"With trade period in the rear-view mirror, clubs are in the final stages of organising their senior 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