Welcome to Off-Season Central.
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.
Adelaide youngster Fischer McAsey won’t be joining his teammates on the training track until at least the new year, after being granted personal leave.
In a statement, the Crows confirmed the 21-year-old would not return to South Australia when the first to fourth year players return to the club on Monday.
“We are fully supportive of Fischer taking personal leave and we will give him the time and space that he requires,” Crows footy boss Adam Kelly said.
“We will remain in regular communication with him, as well as his management, to ensure he has ongoing support while away from the club.
“As always, the welfare of our people is the top priority and we ask that Fischer’s privacy be respected during this period.”
McAsey is not expected to return until after the Christmas break, the club said.
The youngster has endured a tough time at the Crows since being snapped up with pick 6 in the 2019 Draft.
He debuted in the opening round of 2020 and went on to play 10 games in his first season.
But he hasn’t been seen at senior level since.
Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks came to the youngster’s defence during 2022 when questions were asked of McAsey’s non-selection in the side.
“For Fischer, it has been a pretty tough road. He’s put his head down, he’s working so hard to get his game back to certain levels,” he said in August.
“Now, there were a number of reasons why early it wasn’t working for him.
“Things happening off-field, a couple of challenges that he was faced with, but in saying that he’s started working really hard on his footy.“
There were plenty of trade whispers last month about a move home to Victoria, but the 21-year-old remained on Adelaide’s list.
He comes out of contract at the end of next season.
NOVEMBER 17 - MCKENNA PICKS BRISBANE AS NEW HOME
Arguably the AFL’s best trade period just got even better with former Essendon defender Conor McKenna coming out of retirement and selecting Brisbane as his new home.
The Lions confirmed on Friday the Irish dasher has joined the Lions for the 2023 season.
He walked away from footy two years ago heading home to Ireland, before meeting with multiple clubs in recent weeks, as he planned a return following 79 games at the Bombers between 2015 and 2020.
Brisbane, St Kilda, Port Adelaide and Essendon were all in the mix while McKenna had some interest in Geelong before they filled their last list spot by re-signing Sam Simpson.
“I am delighted to be joining the Lions at such an exciting time for the Club, both on field and off field, including the great new facilities at Springfield,” McKenna said.
“I wanted to come back to a Club that was playing deep into finals pushing for a premiership and Brisbane have been doing that for the last number of years.
“The Club has been great for both myself and my partner Amy in making us feel comfortable and putting foundations in place to make sure the move out goes as smooth as possible.
“I am really looking forward to getting back out and into the swing of things.”
McKenna had previously rejected interest from Brisbane the last time he re-signed at Essendon.
The move means the Lions have added McKenna plus Josh Dunkley and Jack Gunston, while they’ll bring in a pair of father-son guns in the draft, Jaspa Fletcher and No.1 overall prospect Will Ashcroft.
NOVEMBER 15 - ROOS TRADE WITH DOCKERS
North Melbourne has traded pick No.43 to Fremantle in exchange for a future fourth-round pick.
The Kangaroos are set to take father-son prospect Cooper Harvey in the draft and also hold picks 2, 3, 23 and 40 making the pick somewhat unnecessary, while Fremantle now has three selections inside the top 44 of the 2022 draft.
The future selection Fremantle traded is tied to Hawthorn’s ladder position in 2023.
Harvey - the son of North Melbourne great Brent Harvey - has impressed for the Northern Knights in the NAB League this season.
NOVEMBER 11 - BOMBERS DELIST NGA PROSPECT
Essendon has delisted Josh Eyre, who remains without an AFL debut.
Eyre joined the club as a Next Generation Academy player with pick No.39 in the 2020 draft, but couldn’t break into the senior side.
Still, Eyre will continue pre-season training with the Bombers and will look to get a list spot as a pre-season supplemental selection period signing.
“Josh joined us as a developing tall position player from our NGA region. He is a dedicated young man, who has shown a commitment to improvement throughout his two years,” football boss Josh Mahoney said.
“List positions become increasingly tight as clubs approach the draft and we were not in the position at this point to offer Josh another contract. Josh will upon approval continue to train with the club leading up to the draft.”
NOVEMBER 10 - YOUNG HAWK LATEST TO BE DELISTED BUT OFFERED ROOKIE SPOT
Hawthorn has pledged to re-select Seamus Mitchell in the rookie draft after delisting the 2020 draftee on Thursday.
Mitchell was the Hawks’ second pick in the 2020 draft, taken with pick 29, but is yet to play at AFL level after a series of injuries.
The club plans to keep him via the rookie list.
“Seamus has battled multiple injuries during his short time here at the club, and we are confident this decision will enable him to continue his development and give him further opportunities next season,” Hawks national list and recruiting manager Mark McKenzie said.
“Adding youth to our list has been a well-publicised priority for our club in this current phase.
“Injecting further talent through the draft and investing heavily into our younger players are both part of our plan to develop our list and return to premiership contention.”
NOVEMBER 9 - TWO CROWS AXED BUT OFFERED LIFELINE
An All-Australian squad member just 12 months ago, Paul Seedsman has been delisted by Adelaide amid a brutal run with concussion issues.
The veteran wingman and Andrew McPherson have both been axed by the club but the Crows have made a commitment to re-select them in the rookie draft.
Meanwhile Jordon Butts and Kieran Strachan have been elevated to the primary list as required by AFL rules.
Seedsman battled lingering symptoms from a head knock for at least six months meaning he did not play in 2022, after a 22-game run in 2021 was his best AFL season.
He has played 132 games across Adelaide and Collingwood.
NOVEMBER 9 - FOUNDATION SUN RETIRES
Rory Thompson - the longest-serving player in Gold Coast Suns history - has retired.
Thompson joined the club as an 18-year-old in the 2009 TAC Cup and played 106 senior games, but has been beset by persistent, debilitating knee injuries in recent years.
Two ACL injuries sidelined him for three seasons.
He returned to senior level in 2022 after a 1379-day absence, but once again was soon sidelined with injury.
“Rory is one of the most respected players at the club and should be proud of everything he has achieved in his AFL career,” football boss Wayne Campbell said.
“He’s faced a lot of adversity with injury in his time at the SUNS, but his commitment and determination to bounce back from every setback can only be admired.
“On behalf of the entire football club, I’d like to thank him for everything he has given the Gold Coast SUNS over the last 14 years.
“Rory will continue to have a role with the club and we look forward to his involvement with the SUNS going forward.”
NOVEMBER 3 - HAWKS SIGN EX-DOG
Former Western Bulldogs forward Fergus Greene is set to reignite his AFL career at Hawthorn.
Greene, 24, has earned a list spot at the Hawks as a delisted free agent, two years after being delisted by the Dogs.
Greene impressed in his time in the Hawks’ VFL side this season, kicking 49 goals.
He initially joined the Dogs with pick No.70 in the 2016 draft.
NOVEMBER 3 - POWER SIGN EX-CAT
Port Adelaide has officially signed former Geelong forward Francis Evans as a delisted free agent.
Evans played seven senior games in three years at the Cats, struggling to break into a side that was awash with preferred options.
The Power had interest in Evans throughout the off-season, with his delisting by the Cats making the move straighforward.
Evans joins an impressive list of off-season additions for Port Adelaide, which includes Jason Horne-Francis and Junior Rioli.
NOVEMBER 2 - ROOS DELIST POLEC
North Melbourne has delisted Jared Polec with a year remaining on his five-year deal.
Polec moved across to the Roos at the end of 2018 along with then Port Adelaide teammate Jasper Pittard and pick No.48 in exchange for pick No.11.
After a decent debut year for the Roos, the former No.5 draft pick battled with poor form and injury.
The 30-year-old managed just seven senior games in his last two seasons.
“Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons, Jared hasn’t been able to recapture the form he showed in his first year at the club,” list boss Brady Rawlings said.
“We made the decision to re-draft Jared this time last year after he was initially delisted but things haven’t worked out for him or the club since then.
“As a result, we’ll take four selections into the national draft and we’ll have added flexibility with our rookie list due to the two extra picks that came via the AFL’s assistance package.”
Polec’s departure marks the 10th exiting player for North Melbourne this off-season, while new coach Alastair Clarkson officially commenced his tenure this week.
EVERY CLUB’S LIST CHANGES AND DRAFT PICKS
ADELAIDE CROWS
Who is leaving: Luke Brown (retired), Billy Frampton (Collingwood, trade), James Rowe (delisted), Ben Davis (delisted), Brett Turner (delisted)
Who is arriving: Izak Rankine (Gold Coast, trade)
2022 draft picks (after trade period): 46, 56, 59
Promoted rookies: Jordon Butts, Kieran Strachan
Retained rookies: Paul Seedsman (delisted, to be re-selected as rookie), Andrew McPherson (delisted, to be re-selected as rookie)
BRISBANE LIONS
Who is leaving: Mitch Robinson (retired), Ely Smith (delisted), Mitch Cox (delisted), Deividas Uosis (delisted), Daniel McStay (Collingwood, free agency), Thomas Berry (Gold Coast, trade), Connor McFadyen (delisted), Nakia Cockatoo (delisted, commitment to re-draft as a rookie), Ryan Lester (delisted, commitment to re-draft as a rookie)
Who is arriving: Jack Gunston (Hawthorn, trade), Josh Dunkley (Western Bulldogs, trade), Conor McKenna
2022 draft picks (after trade period): 34, 35, 36, 38, 55, 73
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), Liam Jones (Western Bulldogs, free agency), Will Setterfield (Essendon, trade)
Who is arriving: Blake Acres (Fremantle, trade)
2022 draft picks (after trade period): 10, 29, 49, 66
Promoted rookies: TBA
Retained rookies: Dom Akuei (category B)
COLLINGWOOD
Who is leaving: Jordan Roughead (retired), Callum Brown (delisted), Tyler Brown (delisted), Isaac Chugg (delisted), Liam McMahon (delisted), Brodie Grundy (Melbourne, trade), Ollie Henry (Geelong, trade), Jack Madgen (delisted), Caleb Poulter (delisted), Cooper Murley (delisted, commitment to re-draft as a rookie)
Who is arriving: Bobby Hill (GWS, trade), Daniel McStay (Brisbane, free agency), Billy Frampton (Adelaide, trade), Tom Mitchell (Hawthorn, trade)
2022 draft picks (after trade period): 16, 25, 27, 51
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), Aaron Francis (Sydney, trade), Cody Brand (delisted), Brayden Ham (delisted), Alec Waterman (delisted), Josh Eyre (delisted)
Who is arriving: Will Setterfield (Carlton, trade), Sam Weideman (Melbourne, trade)
2022 draft picks (after trade period): 4, 22, 54, 62, 68, 72
Promoted rookies: TBA
Retained rookies: TBA
FREMANTLE
Who is leaving: David Mundy (retired), Connor Blakely (delisted), Joel Western (delisted), Blake Acres (Carlton, trade), Griffin Logue (North Melbourne, trade), Darcy Tucker (North Melbourne, trade), Rory Lobb (Western Bulldogs, trade), Lloyd Meek (Hawthorn, trade), Mitch Crowden (delisted)
Who is arriving: Josh Corbett (Gold Coast, trade), Luke Jackson (Fremantle, trade), Jaeger O’Meara (Hawthorn, trade)
2022 draft picks (after trade period): 30, 44, 67, 76
Promoted rookies: TBA
Retained rookies: TBA
GEELONG CATS
Who is leaving: Shaun Higgins (retired), Quinton Narkle (delisted), Francis Evans (delisted), Nick Stevens (delisted), Paul Tsapatolis (delisted), Zane Williams (delisted), Luke Dahlhaus (retired), Cooper Stephens (Hawthorn, trade), Joel Selwood (retired)
Who is arriving: Tanner Bruhn (GWS, trade), Jack Bowes (Gold Coast, trade), Ollie Henry (Collingwood, trade)
2022 draft picks (after trade period): 7, 58, 64
Promoted rookies: TBA
Retained rookies: TBA
GOLD COAST SUNS
Who is leaving: Matt Conroy (delisted), Jez McLennan (delisted), Patrick Murtagh (delisted), Rhys Nicholls (delisted), Josh Corbett (Fremantle, trade), Izak Rankine (Adelaide, trade), Jack Bowes (Geelong, trade), Oleg Markov (delisted), Rory Thompson (retired)
Who is arriving: Ben Long (St Kilda, trade), Thomas Berry (Brisbane, trade)
2022 draft picks (after trade period): 5, 45, 71, 74
Promoted rookies: TBA
Retained rookies: TBA
GWS GIANTS
Who is leaving: Matt De Boer (retired), Bobby Hill (Collingwood, trade), Tim Taranto (Richmond, trade), Tanner Bruhn (Geelong, trade), Jacob Hopper (Richmond, trade), Jarrod Brander (delisted), Zach Sproule (delisted), Jake Stein (delisted)
Who is arriving: Toby Bedford (Melbourne, trade)
2022 draft picks (after trade period): 1, 15, 18, 19, 31, 57, 61
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 (delisted), Jack Gunston (Brisbane, trade), Tom Mitchell (Collingwood, trade), Jaeger O’Meara (Hawthorn, trade), Jack Saunders (delisted)
Who is arriving: Karl Amon (Port Adelaide, free agency), Cooper Stephens (Geelong, trade), Lloyd Meek (Fremantle, trade)
2022 draft picks (after trade period): 6, 24, 41, 48, 50, 52, 65
Promoted rookies: TBA
Retained rookies: Seamus Mitchell (delisted, to be re-selected as rookie)
MELBOURNE
Who is leaving: Majak Daw (retired), Fraser Rosman (delisted), Mitch Brown (retired), Jayden Hunt (West Coast, free agency), Toby Bedford (GWS Giants, trade), Luke Jackson (Fremantle, trade), Sam Weideman (Essendon, trade), Oskar Baker (delisted)
Who is arriving: Brodie Grundy (Collingwood, trade), Josh Schache (Western Bulldogs, trade), Lachie Hunter (Western Bulldogs, trade)
2022 draft picks (after trade period): 13, 37
Promoted rookies: TBA
Retained rookies: TBA
NORTH MELBOURNE
Who is leaving: Jed Anderson (delisted), Atu Bosenavulagi (delisted), Kayne Turner (delisted), Josh Walker (delisted), Tom Lynch (retired), Kyron Hayden (delisted), Matt McGuinness (delisted), Patrick Walker (delisted), Jason Horne-Francis (Port Adelaide, trade), Jared Polec (delisted)
Who is arriving: Griffin Logue (Fremantle, trade), Darcy Tucker (Fremantle, trade)
2022 draft picks (after trade period): 2, 3, 23, 40, 43, 70
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 (Hawthorn, free agency), Martin Frederick (delisted), Dylan Williams (delisted, commitment to re-draft as a rookie)
Who is arriving: Jason Horne-Francis (North Melbourne, trade), Junior Rioli (West Coast, trade), Francis Evans (Geelong, delisted free agent)
2022 draft picks (after trade period): 33, 60
Promoted rookies: TBA
Retained rookies: TBA
RICHMOND
Who is leaving: Josh Caddy (retired), Kane Lambert (retired), Matthew Parker (delisted), Shane Edwards (retired), Sydney Stack (delisted), Jake Aarts (delisted), Riley Collier-Dawkins (delisted), Will Martyn (delisted)
Who is arriving: Tim Taranto (GWS, trade), Jacob Hopper (GWS, trade)
2022 draft picks (after trade period): 53, 63
Promoted rookies: TBA
Retained rookies: TBA
ST KILDA
Who is leaving: Paddy Ryder (retired), Dan Hannebery (retired), Jarryn Geary (retired), Josiah Kyle (retired), Dean Kent (retired), Darragh Joyce (delisted), Ben Long (Gold Coast, trade), Jarrod Lienert (delisted)
Who is arriving: Zaine Cordy (Western Bulldogs, free agency)
2022 draft picks (after trade period): 9, 28, 32, 47
Promoted rookies: TBA
Retained rookies: TBA
SYDNEY SWANS
Who is leaving: Josh Kennedy (retired), Callum Sinclair (retired), Colin O’Riordan (retired), Lewis Taylor (delisted), Barry O’Connor (delisted), Sam Naismith (delisted), Ben Ronke (delisted), James Bell (delisted)
Who is arriving: Aaron Francis (Essendon, trade)
2022 draft picks (after trade period): 14, 17, 42, 75
Promoted rookies: TBA
Retained rookies: TBA
WEST COAST EAGLES
Who is leaving: Josh Kennedy (retired), Hugh Dixon (delisted), Tom Joyce (delisted), Jackson Nelson (delisted), Jack Redden (retired), Patrick Naish (delisted), Junior Rioli (Port Adelaide, trade), Zac Langdon (delisted), Zane Trew (delisted), Isiah Winder (delisted)
Who is arriving: Jayden Hunt (Melbourne, free agency)
2022 draft picks (after trade period): 8, 12, 20, 26
Promoted rookies: Jamaine Jones
Retained rookies: TBA
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Who is leaving: Zaine Cordy (St Kilda, free agency), Josh Schache (Melbourne, trade), Lachie Hunter (Melbourne, trade), Josh Dunkley (Brisbane, trade), Stefan Martin (retired), Mitch Wallis (delisted), Louis Butler (delisted), Charlie Parker (delisted)
Who is arriving: Liam Jones (Carlton, free agency), Rory Lobb (Western Bulldogs, trade)
2022 draft picks (after trade period): 11, 21, 39, 69
Promoted rookies: TBA
Retained rookies: TBA
AFL INDICATIVE DRAFT ORDER 2022 (Following trade period)
Round 1
1. GWS Giants (via NM)
2. North Melbourne (via WC)
3. North Melbourne (via GWS)
4. Essendon
5. Gold Coast Suns (via ADE)
6. Hawthorn
7. Geelong Cats (via GC)
8. West Coast Eagles (via PA)
9. St Kilda
10. Carlton
11. Western Bulldogs
12. West Coast Eagles (via RIC)
13. Melbourne (via FRE)
14. Sydney Swans (via MEL)
15. GWS Giants (via BL)
16. Collingwood
17. Sydney Swans
18. GWS Giants (via GEE)
Round 2
19. GWS Giants (via NM)
20. West Coast Eagles
21. Western Bulldogs (via GWS)
22. Essendon
23. North Melbourne (via ADE)
24. Hawthorn
25. Collingwood (via GC)
26. West Coast Eagles (via PA)
27. Collingwood (Karl Amon compensation, via PA)
28. St Kilda
29. Carlton
30. Fremantle (via WB)
31. GWS Giants (via RIC)
32. St Kilda (via FRE)
33. Port Adelaide (via MEL)
34. Brisbane Lions
35. Brisbane Lions (Dan McStay compensation)
36. Brisbane Lions (via COL)
37. Melbourne (via SYD)
38. Brisbane Lions (via GEE)
Round 3
39. Western Bulldogs (via NM)
40. North Melbourne (via WC)
41. Hawthorn (via GWS)
42. Sydney Swans (via ESS)
43. North Melbourne (via ADE)
44. Fremantle (via HAW)
45. Gold Coast Suns
46. Adelaide Crows (via PA)
47. St Kilda
48. Hawthorn (via CAR)
49. Carlton (Liam Jones compensation)
50. Hawthorn (via WB)
51. Collingwood (via RIC)
52. Hawthorn (via FRE)
53. Richmond (via MEL)
54. Essendon (Jayden Hunt compensation, via MEL)
55. Brisbane Lions
56. Adelaide Crows (via COL)
57. GWS Giants (via SYD)
58. Geelong Cats
Round 4
59. Adelaide Crows (via NM)
60. Port Adelaide (via WC)
61. GWS Giants
62. Essendon
63. Richmond (via ADE)
64. Geelong Cats (via HAW)
65. Hawthorn (via GC)
66. Carlton (via PA)
67. Fremantle (via STK)
68. Essendon (via CAR)
69. Western Bulldogs
70. North Melbourne (via RIC)
71. Gold Coast Suns (via FRE)
72. Essendon (via MEL)
73. Brisbane Lions
74. Gold Coast Suns (via COL)
75. Sydney Swans
76. Fremantle (via GEE)
