A majority of AFL clubs remain to have open list spots for the 2022 season, with sides beginning to invite potential recruits to training this summer ahead of the Pre-Season Supplemental Selection Period (SSP).
The SSP has been confirmed to begin on January 10, while the Mid-Season Rookie Draft has been scheduled for June 1.
AFL clubs have lodged their current list structures following the National and Rookie Drafts, with a handful of sides only able to add to their Category B Rookie positions, while others still hold primary and Category A list spots free.
Here is the breakdown for each club's available list spots for this summer.
Adelaide
Contract breakdown: 37 senior, five Category A, two Category B
Free list spots: 0
The Crows won't be making any amendments to their list for 2022 after filling up their final spot with the selection of Luke Nankervis through the Pre-Season Draft.
Brisbane
Contract breakdown: 38 senior, three Category A, two Category B
Free list spots: 1
After moving Cam Ellis-Yolmen to their inactive list due to his vaccine hesitancy, the Lions have looked toward the VFL to potentially bolster their list. Frankston gun Mitch Cox is set to train with Brisbane ahead of Round 1 in hope of filling the void left by Ellis-Yolmen.
Carltonย
Contract breakdown: 35 senior, six Category A, two Category B
Free list spots:ย 1
The Blues have one opening for 2022, with Jason Cripps, the young brother Carlton co-captain Patrick, Eastern Ranges product Tyreece Leiu and teenager Michael Lewis set to fight for the remaining list spot this summer. The Blues could opt to hold the free position for the Mid-Season Rookie Draft, however are in need of replacing the retired Liam Jones.
Leiu is understood to be battling a foot injury and will be sidelined come the SSP deadline, heavily hindering his chances.
Two clubs are close to confirming signings. Box Hill star ends trial at Hawthorn. Untimely injury all but ends a chance at Carlton. Plus the impact of the Brisbane flood.
Where each SSP situation sits ahead of the deadline on March 9 ๐ @AFLcomau https://t.co/srzaac3sG5
— Josh Gabelich (@JoshGabelich) March 1, 2022
Collingwood
Contract breakdown: 36 senior, six Category A, two Category B
Free list spots:ย 0
The Magpies are another club that won't have an open list spot ahead of the SSP, having selected Williamstown defender Charlie Dean and delisted youngster Isaac Chugg through the Rookie Draft.
Essendon
Contract breakdown: 36 senior, four Category A, two Category B
Free list spots:ย 2
The Bombers signed Tex Wanganeen - song club great Gavin - along with Western Australia forward Nic Martin for the 2022 season.
The Bombers ended the training stints for recently delisted player Dylan Clarke and Ronald Fejo jnr.
Fremantle
Contract breakdown: 36 senior, six Category A, zero Category B
Free list spots:ย 2
The Dockers have two open list spots for next year, however both will need to be listed as Category B rookies. Irish recruit Ultan Kelm was taken off the club's list for 2022 after sustaining a hip injury, with the County Fermanagh defender set to return in 12 months time.
Following the retirement of Luke Valente, the Docker have opened their Cockburn facilities to former Geelong tall Blake Schlenslog, Sandover Medal winner Bailey Rogers andย Peel Thunder duo Luke Polson and Lachie Cullen.
The Dockers have also added West Perth spearhead Tyler Keitel for the finals weeks of the SSP window.
Geelong
Contract breakdown: 38 senior, three Category A, two Category B
Free list spots:ย 1
The Cats hold just the one list spot for next season, with the club yet to confirm any players joining on a train and trial basis for the summer.
Gold Coast
Contract breakdown: 38 senior, eight Category A, one Category B
Free list spots:ย 2
The Suns invited former Magpies and Saints midfielder Nathan Freeman to train for a potential lifeline, with South Australian prospect Lewis Rayson and SANFL pair James Tsitas and Morgan Ferres also joining Gold Coast this summer. Tsitas was eventually appointed to the last remaining list spot for the Suns after edging out Freeman for the role.
Greater Western Sydney
Contract breakdown: 36 senior, six Category A, two Category B
Free list spots:ย 0
The Giants hold no free list spots for 2022 after re-listing Jacob Wehr and recruiting Cooper Hamilton through last week's Rookie Draft.
Hawthorn
Contract breakdown: 36 senior, five Category A, one Category B
Free list spots:ย 2
The Hawks have two open list spots for next year, with at least one of those openings only available for a Category B Rookie. The club handed Box Hill forward Vincent Adduci a pre-season training invite, however the VFL sensation is understood to have stepped away from his duties under Sam Mitchell.
Understand Box Hill Hawks star Vincent Adduci has quietly stepped away from training at Hawthorn, believing it wasn't for him. He had been a candidate for a place on the senior list. But he'll continue to play in the VFL.
— Paul Amy (@PaulAmy375) March 1, 2022
Melbourne
Contract breakdown: 36 senior, six Category A, one Category B
Free list spots:ย 1
Andy Moniz-Wakefield takes up the sole Category B Rookie spot for the Demons, with the reigning premiers having to add another player under the same classification should they want to further add to their list.
North Melbourne
Contract breakdown: 37 senior, four Category A, one Category B
Free list spots:ย 2
At least one of the Kangaroos' open spots will need to be for a Category B Rookie should they look to fill both of their open spots, with delisted Crows forward Tom Lynch set to join North Melbourne via the SSP next year. Former Demon Marty Hore has trained with the Kangaroos this summer, however looks likely to miss out on the Category A Rookie spot to Lynch.
Port Adelaide
Contract breakdown: 37 senior, five Category A, zero Category B
Free list spots:ย 2
With no Category B Rookies listed, the Power's only two free list spots must be taken under that category. Port Adelaide are yet to reveal any summer trainees for 2022.c
Richmond
Contract breakdown: 36 senior, five Category A, one Category B
Free list spots:ย 1
The Tigers' only free list spot is open for a Category B Rookie should Richmon look to further add to their list following a strong haul at the National Draft.
St Kilda
Contract breakdown: 36 senior, four Category A, two Category B
Free list spots:ย 3
The Saints have handed Woodville-West Torrens utility Jack Hayes a list spot at Moorabbin for this season, with St Kildaย adding to their strong South Australian bloodlines. Delisted Power defender Jarrod Lienert and ex-Tiger Patrick Naish are also set to contend for a list spot, with another opening potentially up for grabs following Nick Coffield's season-ending knee injury.
Sydney
Contract breakdown: 36 senior, five Category A, two Category B
Free list spots:ย 1
The Swans have handed their only free list spot for former Saints forward Paddy McCartin, who joined Sydney's VFL side this year and will train with his brother, Tom, under John Longmire this summer.
West Coast
Contract breakdown: 38 senior, three Category A, zero Category B
Free list spots:ย 2
The Eagles have two list spots free for 2022. West Coast have handed Luke Strnadica, Kade Dittmar, Logan Young and Tom Joyce all opportunities this summer, however their stints this pre-season have ended.
South Fremantle pairing Tom Blechynden and Toby McQuilkin, West Perth star forward Tyler Keitel and former Docker Hugh Dixonย all trained with the Eagles, who could extend their open list spots to three should vaccine-hesitant forward Jack Darling be moved to the inactive list.
Keitel has since ventured across town to train with the Dockers.
Western Bulldogsย
Contract breakdown: 36 senior, six Category A, two Category B
Free list spots:ย 0
The Bulldogs hold no free lists spots, with Buku Khamis and Academy recruit Cody Raak taking up their Category B Rookie positions.
