Gold Coast and the Western Bulldogs have provided updates on their plans to pursue delisted free agents across the pre-season, with the Rookie Draft and Supplemental Selection Period avenues likely to see a number of players earn an AFL lifeline.
The Suns have been linked to a number of recently delisted players, including ex-Roo Jed Anderson, former Docker Connor Blakely and delisted Giant Jake Stein in recent weeks.
The SSP window is set to see former Irishman and former Bomber Conor McKenna head to Brisbane, while North Melbourne are expected to acquire triple premiership Hawk Liam Shiels.
The Suns are closing in on a number of options ahead of 2023, with the aforementioned Anderson, Blakely and Stein all in the mix to join the Queensland club.
Speaking to AFL Draft Night Countdown, Gold Coast list manager Kall Burns provided insight into the club's thinking ahead of the Rookie Draft and SSP, with Anderson among those being strongly considered by the Suns.
"Yeah absolutely. Both machinations, the Rookie Draft and the SSP, [are] something we'll explore for that mature-aged talent," Burns said.
"We'd like to bring in some AFL experience to really supplement what we've got and continue to drive our younger group forward. We'll explore that.
"We'll wait and see how it plays out through the Rookie Draft, we know (Anderson) has put his name in (as a nomination), and also the SSP.
"We had success with the SSP last year with James Tsitas, who was able to debut. That's certainly something we could look at as well.
"We're likely to hold one or two spots open for those SSP players."
The Western Bulldogs join the Suns one being among the clubs linked with having AFL lifelines on offer to delisted free agents, with former Melbourne speedster Oskar Baker touted as a target for the Dogs this off-season.
Baker was axed by the Demons following the cessation of Melbourne's 2022 season, with the winger a chance to land a list spot at Whitten Oval in the coming months.
"At the moment we've got two rookie selctions, well probably pick one of those and then pass on the other for the SSP," Bulldogs recruitment manager Dom Milesi said.
"Oskar is one of the players we're looking at with that selection... he's one of a number of delisted free agents we're exploring."
The Rookie Draft is scheduled for next Wednesday following the National Draft earlier in the week.