Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes has questioned the AFL's allowance to see high-priced senior players moved onto their respective club's rookie list.
Clubs were required to file their first list lodgement last Friday, with several sides still required to announce further lit calls in the hours leading up to the deadline.
One decision that left some scratching their heads was North Melbourne's announcement that midfielder Jared Polec had been delisted, with the club set to re-select the 29-year-old via this month's Rookie Draft.
Polec remains contracted to the Kangaroos until the end of the 2023 season, having signed a significant deal when he moved across to Arden Street from the Power at the end of the 2018 season.
Understood to be earning north of $700,000 per year on his deal with North Melbourne, Polec's move hasn't quite lived up to expectations given battles with form and injury.
The outside midfielder played just five games this year, with the Kangaroos failing to get a fitting return on their investment, withย Northย Melbourneย stating the call comes as one to help the club's "flexibility with list spots".
The Kangaroos' decision has left Cornes questioning how the AFL can allow a 146-gamer to be placed on the rookie list.
"They've delisted their marquee recruit from three years ago," Cornes said on SEN SA. "A player who they signed for five years between $700,000-800,000.
"At the time I said it was an irresponsible offer from North Melbourne. It was a ridiculous offer for a player that has talent but had some issues with his body, I just cannot believe a club could make that error.
"He's got two years left in his contract, they are committed to pay his last two years of his salaryโฆbut they can put him on the rookie list.
"The rookie list needs to be designed for rookies who have maybe been overlooked in the draft.
"That is what the rookie list is designed for. Not for 29-year-old veterans who have nearly played 200 games and have earned $5 million in the last six years."
The Kangaroos have already confirmed the departures ofย Shaun Atley,ย Tom Campbell,ย Trent Dumont,ย Taylor Garner,ย Charlie Ham,ย Connor Menadue,ย Dom Tysonย andย Will Walker this off-season as they now begin their planning for the upcoming National Draft, where they hold Pick 1.
The 2021 AFL Draft will be held on November 24-25, with the Rookie Draft taking place the following day.
