Taylin Duman's delisting from Fremantle was a product of the club's impressive depth in key-defenders, with fellow tall backman Tobe Watson also not offered a new deal for next season.
Three off-season wrist surgeries certainly didn't help Duman's case for the 2021 season, facing an uphill battle to cement his place early in Justin Longmuir's side.
Added to the setbacks is the battle Duman has faced in fighting for a spot alongside the likes of Luke Ryan, Alex Pearce, Griffin Logue, Hayden Young and Brennan Cox in Longmuir's defence.
29 appearances in his two years prior to this season, Duman was a staple for the Dockers, offering plenty of attack from the backline.
Defender
Disposals
Marks
Rebound50s
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Now, come the conclusion of their 2021 campaign, Duman's services will need to be utilised elsewhere for the 23-year-old to continue his AFL career.
With this in mind, we've named five potential landing spots for the delisted Dockers defender.
The Dogs have continued to cry out for further strength and development to their tall defensive crop, with 2021 placing further headaches for coach Luke Beveridge.
In the absence of Alex Keath, the Bulldogs looked undermanned and at risk when placed on the back foot against rival key forwards.
An experiment with Josh Schache could be their answer, but the Whitten Oval club are still tipped to use this off-season to boost their defence.
Duman would frame as a cheap and viable option for the Bulldogs, who would slot in as a formidable partner to Keath as an intercepting defender.
With plenty of football left in his career, Duman could find a place in the Dogs' bright future for the long-haul.
Like the Bulldogs, the Bombers look destined to hunt key defenders this exchange period.
Jayden Laverde has enjoyed a breakout campaign in his move to defence, while Jordan Ridley, James Stewart and Brandon Zerk-Thatcher currently sharing the workload in Tullamarine's defensive unit.
With questions over veteran Michael Hurley's health and future, the Bombers could look to Duman as a quick option to find some list equilibrium should they lose their tough backman.
Young and full of potential, Duman would fit the Bombers' mould as they look to continue their push back into premiership contention.
A key area of weakness for the Suns is in their key position pecking order, with their tall talent quickly dropping off after their first or second strings.
Down back, Sam Collins is able to orchestrate, however has found a lack of support at times throughout his short career on the Gold Coast.
While the likes of Charlie Ballard and Wil Powell will continue to offer balance down back for the years to come, it could be Collins' former teammate in Duman that further aids the Suns' much-needed rise.
Like Duman, Collins was cut from the Dockers, with many believing his place in the AFL would not be over despite the setback.
Sure enough, Collins joined the Suns after a season in the VFL, and has since gone on to win the club's best and fairest.
Could the Suns see something similar in Duman as they did with Collins? Time will tell.
The Magpies are in the midst of a rebuild and don't look to have the financial capabilities to add high quality talent to their young list.
At this stage of their bid to return to the top, Collingwood will be looking to stock up on draft selections and add youth to their list the cheapest way possible.
Should they gauge their sights towards Duman, the Magpies would be able to add an experienced defender with plenty left to offer at a cheap price, a bargain you could say.
With Jordan Roughead in the twilight of his career and veterans Levi Greenwood and Chris Mayne already hanging up the boots, opportunities in the Magpies defence have opened up.
While the Kangaroos reportedly have plenty of cash to splash this off-season, there's no reason why the shinboners shouldn't be looking to add bargain buys where possible.
Able to play deep in defence or further up the ground and on the wing, the 23-year-old would be a nice flexible option for the rebuilding Roos.
Already growing a strong defensive unit with the likes of Ben McKay, Aidan Corr and Aidan Bonar, there are sure to be voids by the time the Kangaroos need to be back in finals contention.
Veteran duo Robbie Tarrant and Josh Walker are unlikely to be playing when North Melbourne return to a premiership push, warranting some recruitment to their key backman stocks.
Duman can slot into an assisting role to McKay and co. in the air, while also offering his services as a rebounding defender in turning defence into attack.