Below you can track every move by every club in the 2022 off-season.
Here’s everything you need to know about what your team is doing to prepare for 2023.
SEPTEMBER 21 - EAGLES DELIST THREE
West Coast defender Jackson Nelson’s tough 2022 has continued with the 26-year-old one of three players delisted by the club.
Nelson was joined in his exit by 2022 supplementary selection period players Hugh Dixon and Tom Joyce - who didn’t manage a game at senior AFL club due to a serious pre-season injury.
Nelson played 102 games since debuting back in 2015, and was an emergency for West Coast’s 2018 premiership success, but it was his off-field actions that garnered most attention this season.
Nelson was one of seven Eagles caught out at a nightclub, where he later contracted Covid, at a time where West Coast were already decimated by injury and illness.
Fellow delistee Dixon was also one of the “irresponsible” and “disrespectful” seven fined $5000 for their actions that angered coach Adam Simpson and the club.
Dixon, a former Docker, was added to West Coast’s list when forward Jack Darling’s involvement in the 2022 AFL season was unclear given his Covid vaccine standing.
Dixon managed 10 games for West Coast, kicking 5.3.
In a statement, West Coast football manager Gavin Bell wished the trio all the best.
“Jackson, in particular, has made a long and strong contribution to our club,” Bell said.
“He has been a popular member of our playing squad for eight seasons, including two Grand Final campaigns.
“Along with Hugh and Tom, who answered an SOS call from the club in the pre-season, we wish each of them every success for next phase of their lives and in football.”
SEPTEMBER 20 - CATS VETERAN RETIRES
Shaun Higgins has called time on his AFL career after 260 games across three clubs.
Higgins was traded to Geelong at the end of the 2020 season and played 23 games for the Cats, but wasn’t able to feature regularly in the senior side this season, managing just five games.
During his peak years at North Melbourne, Higgins claimed two best and fairest awards in back-to-back years and was named in the All-Australian side in 2018.
He played 108 games for the Kangaroos after 129 for the Western Bulldogs.
“I feel privileged to have been able to play at this level for 17 seasons at three great clubs. I feel enormously lucky to have lived out a childhood dream of playing footy and I’m thankful for all the friendships, memories and support through the years,” Higgins said.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to have represented Geelong, it’s a special Club and while having only been here for two seasons, the place and people have had a lasting impact on me.
“There have been so many people who have helped me along the journey, I’d like to thank my wife Heidi and children Rosie, Harry and Emme, my Mum, Dad and my extended family. Thank you also to Bruce, Mary, Richard and Kev for the support and role they have played.
“Thank you also to the teammates I’ve been able to share the locker room and field with and my coaches for shaping me as a player.
“While I have experienced some challenges with injury this season, I’m comfortable knowing I’ve done everything I can to make a return to the senior team, and while it hasn’t worked out, I’m focused on playing my part in helping the team best prepare for Saturday’s Grand Final and seeing my teammates run out onto the MCG.”
SEPTEMBER 20 - DOCKERS DUO DELISTED
Fremantle has delisted Connor Blakely and Joel Western.
Blakely was a former pick No.34 and played 78 games for Fremantle’s senior side, but did not break into the lineup in 2022.
He thrived for Peel Thunder at various stages as he tried to play more senior football, winning the side’s 2015 best and fairest and being named the best player on the ground in the 2016 premiership-winning side.
Western was drafted with pick No.54 in 2020 and was a product of the side’s Next Generation Academy.
He played four AFL games and like Blakely was unable to feature at senior level this seaosn.
“It’s a difficult time of year when we have to make the tough decisions around our playing list and I’d like to acknowledge the contributions of both Connor and Joel to the Club,” Fremantle’s Head of Player Personnel David Walls said in a statement on Tuesday.
“Connor has played a significant amount of football for us over a seven-year period, including 13 games in 2021 where he was primarily used in the difficult role of being our medical sub.
“We should also acknowledge his important contribution with Peel Thunder as a Simpson Medalist in their inaugural premiership side as well as winning their best and fairest in 2015.
“Joel has had a long association with Fremantle, coming up through our Next Generation Academy, and it will be sad to see both him and Connor leave the Club.”
SEPTEMBER 20 - BROWN BROTHERS AMONG FOUR PIES CUT
Collingwood has delisted father-son siblings Callum and Tyler Brown as well as Isaac Chugg and Liam McMahon.
The Magpies on Tuesday morning confirmed they’d parted ways with the quartet after the club’s season ended in Saturday’s preliminary final loss to Sydney.
Callum Brown, 24, played 70 games for the club since being picked up with Pick 35 in the 2016 National Draft as a father-son selection, while Tyler made 27 appearances since joining the Pies with Pick 50 in 2017.
“Decision-making at this time of the year is always tough and we thank each of the players for their contribution to the Collingwood Football Club,” Collingwood football boss Graham Wright said.
“For Isaac and Liam, they are two players who have always done the team thing and we thank them for their dedication to our club.
“Callum and Tyler – sons of premiership player Gavin Brown – we could not be prouder of their professionalism and the positive influence they have had on their peers during their time at the club.
“Callum has had six years at the club and has played 70 games while Tyler has spent five years at Collingwood playing 27 games.
“On behalf of everyone at the club, we wish each player all the very best for their futures and we hope they continue to develop their games and work towards reaching their football potential.
“As Collingwood people, we will continue to support each player on and off the field.”
SEPTEMBER 18 - VETERAN LION CONFIRMS RETIREMENT
Brisbane’s Mitch Robinson has confirmed his retirement, after previously confirming he would not play again for the club.
The 33-year-old, who played 247 games across Carlton and the Lions, had previously confirmed he would not play again for the Queensland club, having been told he was being delisted.
Robinson shared the news on Instagram on Saturday, adding: “Devastated Fages wouldn’t allow me to announce this in person to the supporters and my team mates, but I guess that’s footy”.
“It’s been an absolute privilege pulling on the Fitzroy and Lions jumper!
“Thank you all for the last 8 years, I’ll never forget the love you all showed me, Emma and my kids.
“I left it all out there every single game, I love you all.”
Robinson moved to the Lions at the end of 2014 after a 100-game stint at the Blues.
He was the Lions’ joint best and fairest winner in his first season there in 2015.
In Sunday’s confirmation, he was quoted as saying: “After 247 games with Carlton and Brisbane, I have given everything I could to get the best out of myself, and it’s now time to hang up the boots.
“I am beyond proud of the career I have had and feel very privileged to have pulled on the Brisbane Lions and Fitzroy jumpers in my time with the club.
“Thank you to all my Brisbane Lions teammates, the staff, members, and fans for all the love and support you have shown me, Emma and my kids over the past eight years.”
SEPTEMBER 15 - SWANS CHAMP’S CAREER OFFICIALLY OVER AFTER SEBACK
Retiring Swans champion Josh Kennedy’s career is officially over he suffered another hamstring setback.
The 34-year old, who announced his retirement last month, was eyeing a last-ditch bid to return — albeit unlikely— in the grand final if Sydney beats Collingwood this weekend.
However a hamstring strain sustained at training this week has closed the door on a fairytale swan song for Kennedy, putting a full stop on his 290-game career.
“It is with a heavy heart but a whole lot of gratitude that I make this announcement today,” Kennedy said in his retirement announcement in August.
“I want to take the opportunity to thank everyone at the club. The overarching sentiment I want to leave is one of gratitude - I am grateful to Alistair Clarkson and Hawthorn for the opportunity, and to the Sydney Swans for believing in me.
“I‘m eternally grateful to the football club, the players past and present, the support staff that make the club great from the board level down, and of course all the fans and supporters over the journey who have supported me and the team and made me feel very special to belong to such a great club.”
SEPTEMBER 15 - CROWS STALWART CALLS TIME
Adelaide defender Luke Brown has called time on his career after 189 AFL games over 11 seasons.
The Crows on Thursday confirmed the 29-year old informed teammates of his decision over the past 24 hours.
Overlooked in the 2010 draft before being pre-listed by GWS and traded to the Crows the following year, Brown went on to become one of Adelaide’s most reliable defenders who constantly shut down the opposition’s best small forward.
However injuries limited Brown, a member of Adelaide’s 2017 Grand Final side, to just 11 games in 2022.
“I’d like to thank the club for the journey, I’ve spent a third of my life here and with a young family I am now ready for the next chapter,” Brown said.
“I remember being overlooked in my draft year in 2010 and to be given the chance to play AFL in my home state the year after is something I was very grateful for.
“So to be here 11 years and 189 games later is something I’ll forever be proud of.
“My first game was memorable as were all the finals I got to play in, and as disappointing as the grand final in 2017 turned out to be, to have that opportunity at the top level is something I will always cherish.
“I’ll leave with lifelong friendships and always be proud to have played my career at the Adelaide Football Club.”
Crows coach Matthew Nicks credited Brown for his impact at the club.
“Browny’s playing career speaks for itself, 189 AFL games of the highest quality and someone you could always rely on,” Nicks said.
“And as one of our most experienced players, his influence in recent years in helping the development of our younger players has been just as important and that’s part of the legacy he leaves here.
“We will miss Browny but he will always be welcome back and we wish him, his wife Ingrid and their daughter Aurora all the very best with the next phase of life.”
SEPTEMBER 13 - SUNS AXE FOUR
Second-round draftee Jez McLennan is one of four players that have been delisted by the Gold Coast Suns.
The Suns on Tuesday night confirmed McLennan, Matt Conroy, Rhys Nicholls and Patrick Murtagh they would not be offered a contract for 2023.
Gold Coast traded up the draft order in 2018 to land McLennan with Pick 23, which was an end-of-first-round selection. However McLennan was cut by the Suns without playing an AFL game in his four years at the Suns.
Conroy, Nicholls and Murtagh were Suns Academy graduates.
“Matt, Rhys and Patrick are great stories having graduated from our Suns Academy onto our AFL list, while Jez has been an important part of football program,” Suns list manager Craig Cameron said.
“We’d like to thank them for their efforts and wish them all the best for what lies ahead.”
SEPTEMBER 7 - EX-CROW AXED BY HAWKS AFTER FALLING OUT OF FAVOUR WITH NEW COACH
Kyle Hartigan has been delisted by Hawthorn, potentially ending a two-club career which included a lengthy stint at Adelaide.
After 113 games at the Crows including a Grand Final appearance in 2017, the 30-year-old was traded to the Hawks for a future fourth round pick, playing another 22 games.
But 19 of those came under Alastair Clarkson and with Sam Mitchell in charge in 2022, the Hawks opted for younger options and Hartigan played just three times.
“Kyle has been a great leader and competitor during his time at the club, and has had a strong influence on our group both on and off the field,” Hawthorn national recruiting and list manager Mark McKenzie said.
“We thank Kyle for his service, and we wish him and his family all the best in his future endeavours.”
Hartigan’s exit follows the delistings of Tom Phillips, Daniel Howe, Connor Downie and Jackson Callow.
SEPTEMBER 6 - TIGERS CHAMP BACKFLIPS ON RETIREMENT PLAN
Triple-premiership Richmond captain Trent Cotchin has revealed he was expecting to retire before changing his mind to sign a one-year contract extension.
The 32-year-old had an improved 2021 season to help his Tigers return to the finals, though it ended in agony via a close elimination final loss to Brisbane.
Sitting on 287 career games, Cotchin looks almost certain to join the 300 club next year after signing a new deal for a 16th season at Punt Road.
But at times during the 2022 season Cotchin was planning to hang up the boots.
“The plan probably was not initially to go again, but I think that changed for a number of reasons; one my body and also that you are a long time retired, I had that nagging away in the back of my head,” he told the club website.
“Something that really came to fruition this year as well was the joy it brought my kids. Having that additional purpose of not just trying my best for me and for our team, but also playing and really enjoying the journey of AFL footy and the Richmond Tigers (with them).”
SEPTEMBER 5 - STOCKER GONE FOUR YEARS AFTER SHOCK TRADE
Liam Stocker, the player at the centre of one of the most infamous draft-night trades in AFL history, has been delisted by Carlton.
He and mid-season draftee Will Hayes were told they would not be recontracted by the Blues.
Stocker played 28 games in four seasons at the club, including six this year, while ex-Bulldog Hayes debuted just weeks after joining the club and was named in the 22 against Geelong.
“Liam gave great effort during his four seasons here and while he was not able to solidify his place in the side this year, his capacity to continue to work hard was a testament to him,” Carlton head of list management Nick Austin said.
“Although Will was only on the list for a short period of time, his efforts to earn a place in the side to play two games was a result of his work ethic.
“We thank both players for their contributions during their time at the Club and wish them all the best for the future.”
Stocker’s name was up in lights from the time he joined Carlton due to the expense of getting him.
On draft night in 2018, the Blues traded their 2019 first-round pick to Adelaide in exchange for pick 19 and the Crows’ 2019 first-round pick.
Carlton was coming off a wooden spoon but rated Stocker as the sixth-best player in the draft pool and was willing to risk giving up a high selection in next year’s draft for him.
The next year the Blues were bad again, and while the Crows weren’t too flash either, in the end Carlton gave up Pick 4 and got Pick 11 (plus Stocker) in return.
In the 2019 draft that pick ended up being traded away, the Blues eventually adding Brodie Kemp and Sam Philp in the first round.
EVERY CLUB’S LIST CHANGES AND DRAFT PICKS
ADELAIDE CROWS
Who is leaving: Luke Brown (retired)
Who is arriving: TBA
Indicative 2022 draft picks (at end of H&A season): 5, 23, 77
Promoted rookies: TBA
Retained rookies: TBA
BRISBANE LIONS
Who is leaving: Mitch Robinson (TBA)
Who is arriving: TBA
Indicative 2022 draft picks (at end of H&A season): 13, 31, 44 (via Port Adelaide), 67, 85
Promoted rookies: TBA
Retained rookies: TBA
CARLTON
Who is leaving: Tom Williamson (delisted), Jack Newnes (delisted), Oscar McDonald (delisted), Luke Parks (delisted), Liam Stocker (delisted), Will Hayes (delisted)
Who is arriving: TBA
Indicative 2022 draft picks (at end of H&A season): 10, 28, 62 (via Port Adelaide), 64, 82
Promoted rookies: TBA
Retained rookies: TBA
COLLINGWOOD
Who is leaving: Jordan Roughead (retired), Callum Brown (delisted), Tyler Brown (delisted), Isaac Chugg (delisted), Liam McMahon (delisted)
Who is arriving: TBA
Indicative 2022 draft picks (at end of H&A season): 15, 42 (via Hawthorn), 47 (via Western Bulldogs), 48 (via Richmond), 87
Promoted rookies: TBA
Retained rookies: TBA
ESSENDON
Who is leaving: Michael Hurley (retired),Devon Smith (retired), Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti (retired), Tom Cutler (delisted), Tom Hird (delisted), Garrett McDonough (delisted)
Who is arriving: TBA
Indicative 2022 draft picks (at end of H&A season): 4, 22, 40, 58, 76
Promoted rookies: TBA
Retained rookies: TBA
FREMANTLE
Who is leaving: David Mundy (retired), Connor Blakely (delisted), Joel Western (delisted)
Who is arriving: TBA
Indicative 2022 draft picks (at end of H&A season): 14, 72 (via Geelong), 86
Promoted rookies: TBA
Retained rookies: TBA
GEELONG CATS
Who is leaving: Shaun Higgins (retired)
Who is arriving: TBA
Indicative 2022 draft picks (at end of H&A season): 18, 36, 46 (via Carlton), 49 (via Brisbane), 54, 60 (via Hawthorn), 90
Promoted rookies: TBA
Retained rookies: TBA
GOLD COAST SUNS
Who is leaving: TBA
Who is arriving: TBA
Indicative 2022 draft picks (at end of H&A season): 7, 25, 32 (via Fremantle), 33 (via Collingwood), 43, 51 (via Collingwood), 68 (via Fremantle), 69 (via Collingwood), 79
Promoted rookies: TBA
Retained rookies: TBA
GWS GIANTS
Who is leaving: Matt De Boer (retired)
Who is arriving: TBA
Indicative 2022 draft picks (at end of H&A season): 3, 21, 39, 57, 59 (via Adelaide), 75
Promoted rookies: TBA
Retained rookies: TBA
HAWTHORN
Who is leaving: Ben McEvoy (retired), Liam Shiels (retired), Tom Phillips (delisted), Daniel Howe (delisted), Connor Downie (delisted), Jackson Callow (delisted), Kyle Hartigan
Who is arriving: TBA
Indicative 2022 draft picks (at end of H&A season): 6, 24, 50 (via Fremantle), 61 (via Gold Coast), 78
Promoted rookies: TBA
Retained rookies: TBA
MELBOURNE
Who is leaving: Majak Daw (retired), Fraser Rosman (delisted), Mitch Brown (retired)
Who is arriving: TBA
Indicative 2022 draft picks (at end of H&A season): 35, 41 (via Adelaide), 53, 63 (via St Kilda), 71, 89
Promoted rookies: TBA
Retained rookies: TBA
NORTH MELBOURNE
Who is leaving: Tom Lynch (retired), Kyron Hayden (delisted), Matt McGuinness (delisted), Patrick Walker (delisted)
Who is arriving: TBA
Indicative 2022 draft picks (at end of H&A season): 1, 55, 66 (via Richmond), 73
Promoted rookies: TBA
Retained rookies: TBA
PORT ADELAIDE
Who is leaving: Steven Motlop (retired), Robbie Gray (retired), Sam Skinner (delisted), Sam Mayes (delisted), Taj Schofield (delisted), Karl Amon (free agency)
Who is arriving: TBA
Indicative 2022 draft picks (at end of H&A season): 8, 52 (via Sydney), 56 (via West Coast), 80
Promoted rookies: TBA
Retained rookies: TBA
RICHMOND
Who is leaving: Josh Caddy (retired), Kane Lambert (retired), Matthew Parker (delisted), Shane Edwards (retired)
Who is arriving: TBA
Indicative 2022 draft picks (at end of H&A season): 12, 19 (via North Melbourne), 30, 84
Promoted rookies: TBA
Retained rookies: TBA
ST KILDA
Who is leaving: Paddy Ryder (retired), Dan Hannebery (retired), Jarryn Geary (retired), Josiah Kyle (retired)
Who is arriving: TBA
Indicative 2022 draft picks (at end of H&A season): 9, 27, 45, 81
Promoted rookies: TBA
Retained rookies: TBA
SYDNEY SWANS
Who is leaving: Josh Kennedy (retired), Callum Sinclair (retired), Colin O’Riordan (retired)
Who is arriving: TBA
Indicative 2022 draft picks (at end of H&A season): 16, 17 (via Melbourne), 34, 70, 88
Promoted rookies: TBA
Retained rookies: TBA
WEST COAST EAGLES
Who is leaving: Josh Kennedy (retired)
Who is arriving: TBA
Indicative 2022 draft picks (at end of H&A season): 2, 20, 26 (via Port Adelaide), 38, 74
Promoted rookies: TBA
Retained rookies: TBA
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Who is leaving: TBA
Who is arriving: TBA
Indicative 2022 draft picks (at end of H&A season): 11, 29, 37 (via North Melbourne), 65, 83
Promoted rookies: TBA
Retained rookies: TBA
