Delisted free agency has emerged as another avenue for clubs to add to their list over the off-season, with the contemporary recruitment mechanism paying dividends for a number of sides over recent years.
Geelong's stellar signing of All-Australian forward Tyson Stengle is a prime example of turning a cheap purchase into a key cog, with the former Richmond and Adelaide livewire going on to boot 50 goals in his first season at Kardinia Park to claim his maiden premiership after a year out of the system.
A total of 77 players have been delisted so far this off-season, giving AFL clubs much to consider over the coming weeks as the signing window commences.
Delisted free agency will open on Wednesday for one week before the period opens again from 9:00am-5:00pm (AEDT) on November 10. The period will again recommence at the completion of the National Draft on November 21.
Clubs will use the draft mechanisms and the pre-season Supplemental Selection Period to also consider recently discarded players.
Here, we've matched up ten available players with a new AFL club for 2024, taking into consideration their position, age and home states.
6. Trey Ruscoe
West Coast
The delisted ex-Magpie could be ready to return to his home state this off-season, and with West Coast keen to add players still in the early years of their careers, they could look toward Ruscoe as a bargain buy.
The East Fremantle product earned a small look at senior level during his four years with Collingwood, with 2023 seeing the forward-turned-defender player in just one game. That appearance came in the Magpies' stunning ANZAC Day win, where Ruscoe showed glimpses of what he can still offer an AFL club.
His youth and promise could be attractive to the Eagles or even the Dockers, with Ruscoe able to play as a ground-level or aerial threat at either end of the field.
The Eagles could look to trial Ruscoe through the SSP as well, wanting to add reliable depth to their list as they work through a lengthy rebuild.
