Delisted dozen: 12 players worthy of a second chance in the AFL for 2023

With the trade period settled, a host of players and clubs now eye the next exchange window as delisted free agency begins to open. A number of surprising list calls have been made since the season's conclusion, likely meaning more players could switch clubs after going unfavoured in 2022. Here we name 12 players that are worthy of a career lifeline for next season. The first period of delisted free agency for 2022 will commence at 9:00am (all times AEDT) Thursday, November 3, running until 5:00pm Wednesday, November 9. Delisted free agency will re-open on at 9:00am Friday, November 11, running until 5:00pm Tuesday, November 15. James Rowe The buzzing small forward saw his place in Matthew Nicks' pecking order slide significantly in the last past 12 months following the additions of Josh Rachele and Izak Rankine. Coupled with Shane McAdam's presence in the forward third, it was obvious to see opportunities were becoming scarce for the young forward. The Bulldogs are among the AFL clubs that could hand Rowe a reprieve, with the Dogs understood to have held an interest in the 23-year-old prior to the Crows calling his name at the 2020 National Draft. [caption id="attachment_118173" align="alignnone" width="1392"] James Rowe during the AFL match between Essendon and Adelaide, Round 4, 2022 (Photo by Cameron Grimes / Zero Digital Media[/caption] Potentially looking to bolster their small forward stocks, Rowe may be a suitable option to land at the Kennel. Liam Stocker Perhaps the most surprising delisting of 2022, with the former first-round selection facing the chop in a ruthless list call from Carlton. Capable of plying his trade through midfield and in defence, Stocker is seen as one of the more likely names to gain a lifeline through delisted free agency, the draft windows or as a Supplemental Selection Period recruit. Aged 22 and with 28 games to his name, Stocker has plenty of times on his side and has been in the system for four years. [caption id="attachment_89810" align="alignnone" width="2560"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 18: Liam Stocker of the Blues kicks the ball during the 2021 AFL Round 18 match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Carlton Blues at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 18, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)[/caption] He had been linked to Essendon shortly after his Blues exit and is sure to have further suitors showing some level of interest. Connor Blakely The delisted Docker has already held discussions with the Gold Coast Suns since seeing his seven-year career in purple come to an end. One of the more experienced names on this list, but Blakely is only just hitting his prime years and will be 27 come the opening round of next season. Blakely fell out of favour this season as the Dockers rose through the ranks in 2022, but he still has plenty left to offer and can provide depth to any club's midfield and defensive third. [caption id="attachment_32783" align="alignnone" width="1024"] PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 30: Connor Blakely of the Dockers kicks the ball during the 2019 AFL round 15 match between the Fremantle Dockers and the Carlton Blues at Optus Stadium on June 30, 2019 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)[/caption] Boasts a career average of 19.22 touches, 4.29 marks and 2.21 clearances per game, while his numbers for Peel Thunder included a handful of dominant performances at WAFL level. Quinton Narkle Career trajectory that has regressed across the past 12 months. Narkle was seen as a key piece of Geelong's future just a couple of seasons ago, with his place on the periphery of Geelong's best 22 often brought into question. But at the conclusion of his fifth season and with 41 games to his career, the flashy midfielder's time at Kardinia Park has reached its cessation. [caption id="attachment_84833" align="alignnone" width="2560"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 29: Quinton Narkle (L) and Luke Dahlhaus of the Cats celebrate during the 2021 AFL Round 11 match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Geelong Cats at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on May 29, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)[/caption] Hailing from Western Australia, Fremantle and West Coast could be interest parties, while Richmond were reported to have shown some level of interest in the 24-year-old as late as last year. Francis Evans The axed Geelong goalsneak is expected to sign with Port Adelaide prior to the commencement of the 2023 season. His management has flagged the Brunswick North product is seen likely to land at Alberton this year, likely through the delisted free agency window. While the Power were able to add Junior Rioli to their small forward stocks, Evans is sure to add further selection competition alongside Orazio Fantasia as Robbie Gray's spot in the side comes up for grabs. [caption id="attachment_128320" align="alignnone" width="2560"] GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 26: Francis Evans of the Cats is congratulated by team mates after kicking a goal during the round 2 AFL match between the Geelong Cats and the Brisbane Lions at GMHBA Stadium on March 26, 2021 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)[/caption] Evans had shown promise with Geelong, but found minutes hard to come by in 2022 due to the rise of Tyson Stengle and household names in Brad Close and Gryan Miers. Jake Stein Stein stands out on this list given his place as a key-posiiton option for clubs to consider. Should a club look to add some height to their rearguard, Stein is a solid option that can play as a third defensive outlet or simply add depth to an AFL list. Aged 28 given his late arrival to professional football following a career as a decathlete, but Stein could offer a contending club some welcomed reinforcement. http://gty.im/1242469264 Another player who is in discussions with other clubs in regard to a lifeline. Daniel Howe At 26 years of age Howe has plenty left to offer at AFL level as a ready-made and formidable cheap recruit. Looking to add to his 96 games with the Hawks, Howe can slot himself on a flank at either end of the field, in the middle, but most commonly can be utilised on the wing. Wings spots can be hard to get concrete and are pivotal to how several teams move the ball from defence. [caption id="attachment_118521" align="alignnone" width="2048"] Daniel Howe during the AFL match between Hawthorn and St Kilda in Round 4, 2022 (Photo by Cameron Grimes / Zero Digital Media)[/caption] Howe knows how to find the ball and use it well, but fell out-of-favour given Hawthorn's incoming wave of youthful talent. Martin Frederick A surprising delisting and one name that is sure to gain some attention from rival clubs. Up to five sides were said to be showing some level of interest in Frederick this year, headline by West Coast in discussions over a trade for Junior Rioli. The Portland product has shown great dash and disposal out of the backline, but found himself toward the back of the pecking order at Alberton due to the likes of Dan Houston, Darcy Byrne-Jones, Josh Sinn, Riley Bonner and Miles Bergman. [caption id="attachment_120379" align="alignnone" width="2560"] ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 26: Justin McInerney of the Swans competes with Martin Frederick of the Power during the 2021 AFL Round 15 match between the Port Adelaide Power and the Sydney Swans at Adelaide Oval on June 26, 2021 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)[/caption] Just 22 years of age, Frederick is sure to be on an AFL list for 2022. Sydney Stack The electric Tigers utility finds himself on the outer after playing just 18 games in three years, a stark contract after featuring in 17 games in his debut year. But with Richmond moving the magnets in recent seasons, including Daniel Rioli's stunning switch to defence, Stack has struggled to implement himself at AFL level in new roles. Used as a forward in his sole appearance under Damien Hardwick this year, Stack didn't look the same player that lit up the league in 2019. [caption id="attachment_35086" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 12: Sydney Stack of the Tigers takes part during a Richmond Tigers AFL training session at Punt Road Oval on September 12, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)[/caption] Perhaps able to find a role at half-back with another club, Stack could rekindle his once-promising career. Jake Aarts A tremendous season at VFl level see Aaarts worthy of another chance on an AFL list. Averaged 21 disposals, 5 tackles and 1 goal per game at the second-tier level to earn VFL Player of Year honours at Richmond and a spot in the league's Team of the Year. Aarts has plenty to offer as a pressure forward and proved in 2022 that he has the ability to compete. [caption id="attachment_123562" align="alignnone" width="2560"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 16: Jake Aarts of the Tigers looks dejected after the round 18 AFL match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Richmond Tigers at Marvel Stadium on July 16, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)[/caption] His numbers at AFL level this year were significantly hindered given five of his seven appearances came as a medical sub. Riley Collier-Dawkins The third Tiger on this list following their brutal five-player culling this off-season. Collier-Dawkins was a project player for Richmond, having been required to bide his time until the third year of his AFL career before making his debut. He started sensationally, showing plenty of promise as a player that could take the reins from former captain Trent Cotchin in the Punt Road midfield. [caption id="attachment_25161" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 22: Riley Collier-Dawkins of the Tigers poses for a photo during the 2018 NAB AFL Draft at Marvel Stadium on November 22, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] But a year later, the former first-round pick is now off the list and needing to consider his future for 2023. Jackson Nelson Another name that had external interest in the off-season before facing the chop. With over 100 games to his name, Nelson can offer experience and run to any club's backline, and was even recording career-best numbers this year as he reaches his peak years. Able to play as a versatile defender, giving run out of the back third or locking down his direct opponent, there is sure to be more interest in Nelson. [caption id="attachment_11670" align="alignnone" width="1024"] PERTH, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 13: Jackson Nelson of the Eagles looks on after giving away a free kick during the round four AFL match between the West Coast Eagles and the Sydney Swans at Domain Stadium on April 13, 2017 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)[/caption] A product from Geelong, Nelson could consider a return to Victoria to get his AFL career back on track.

		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	HAW	4	4	0	16	127.4
2	ADEL	3	3	0	12	164
3	BL	3	3	0	12	114.7
4	GC	2	2	0	8	230.6
5	GWS	3	2	1	8	121.3
6	COLL	3	2	1	8	120.5
7	STK	3	2	1	8	109.3
8	WB	3	2	1	8	107.3

Delisted dozen: 12 players worthy of a second chance in the AFL for 2023

Which players deserve a second chance for 2023?

5. Francis Evans

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