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.
Hawthorn
McLaughlin enjoyed a breakout year at VFL level in 2023, taking out the Jim 'Frosty' Miller Medal as the leading goalkicker in the competition.
The 25-year-old booted 55 goals this year to help the Suns claim their maiden piece of silverware with a grand final win over Werribee, however an AFL debut wouldn't arise in his ten months with the club.
The medium-sized forward could slot into a Hawks front third that is undergoing changes of its own, having parted with Brandon Ryan and Jacob Koschitzke to bring in Mabior Chol and Jack Gunston to support spearhead Mitch Lewis.
McLaughlin is equally damaging in the air as he is at ground level and could be a suitable pickup to complement Sam Mitchell's current attacking pack.
Richmond
While the Power veteran's Alberton departure confirmed through, Lycett has garnered interest from several Victorian clubs, Richmond included.
Collingwood and St Kilda are also said to be keen on the premiership Eagle to some degree, but a move to Punt Road might be best for Lycett and the Tigers should he decide to continue his career.
With the arrival of Ivan Soldo and Jordon Sweet this recent trade period, Lycett is now set to decide on either continuing his career elsewhere or hanging up the boots.
Richmond might be a suitable landing spot for the 31-year-old, given Richmond's lacking ruck experience behind co-captain Toby Nankervis in the wake of Soldo's move to South Australia.
Lycett could support the Tigers skipper and be on standby for any open selection spots while allowing the emerging Samson Ryan to develop his forward craft in Adem Yze's front third.
Carlton
This move is said to be all but finalised, with a two-year deal signed by Fantasia to join the third club of his career, Carlton.
Fantasia's Port Adelaide was confirmed on Monday, with the former Bombers forward tipped to head back to Victoria and land at Princes Park.
While Fantasia's injury history would've been of some concern to the Blues, his best football would have a resounding impact on Michael Voss' plans of going a step or two further in 2024.
If he can stay fit, Fantasia could be a catalyst in Carlton's premiership plans.
Fremantle
The recently delisted Suns flanker has been tied to the Dockers this off-season - a potential move that comes 12 months after a trade fell through that would've seen Sharp head to Cockburn while contracted at Carrara.
With his deal expiring this year and Gold Coast deciding not to hand the 21-year-old an extension, Fremantle is said to be keen on moving for Sharp as a delisted free agent or SSP recruit.
The loss of wingman Liam Henry opens up opportunities for Sharp, while the Dockers also lost Lachie Schultz this recent trade period and will be keen on adding some run and ball smarts to their squad.
Sharp can offer just that, with his ability to play across all three lines a large benefit in his game. The East Fremantle product could be the best purchase for any club this off-season if his potential is met.
The Dogs are one of three clubs that have been linked to the discarded Port Adelaide tall, with there still to be some level of demand for experienced and mature ruckmen this off-season.
Teakle would suit what the Bulldogs might be after given the Whitten Oval club could look to add an experimental and versatile ruckman to their somewhat depleted stocks.
While they have All-Australian Tim English at the helm, and supporting ruck-forward Rory Lobb, the Dogs have no further depth behind the senior pair besides emerging father-son pickup Sam Darcy.
Teakle can offer depth support if either English or Lobb were to sustain setbacks, while he can also play forward and has been trialled in defence in the past - giving the club flexibility in what is often a two-ruck system.
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.
Adelaide
He is another defender who could consider a move back to his home state, with Gould's time interstate with the Swans coming to an end this year after four seasons.
The former U18 South Australia star couldn't break into Sydney's senior side until this year and would manage four games under John Longmire before being delisted.
He would enjoy a strong VFL season in 2022 to earn a place in the competition's Team of the Year and showed further improvement over the course of the recent season - including a switch to the forward line.
With the Crows likely relying on defensive reinforcements to start next season after the loss of Tom Doedee and the ACL setback for Nick Murray, Gould could be an astute pickup for Adelaide.
Sydney
A former GWS Giant Academy player, would a return to New South Wales for Voss benefit the young key forward and the Swans?
Sydney's forward third is set to undergo a changing of the guard following Lance Fanklin's retirement, with Logan McDonald, Joel Amartey, and Hayden McLean set to press their case for the spearhead role under John Longmire.
Mid-season recruit Jack Buller adds to the club's tall attacking options, but further depth might be ideal for the Swans if they are to look toward the delisted free agency pool.
The Bombers unfortunately delisted Voss without an AFL game to his name, but did take out the club's VFL best and fairest in 2023 thanks to a 30-goal season as the leading forward target for the Bombers' reserves.
The big-bodied forward has untapped potential and could even allow the likes of McLean, Amartey or Buller to play further up the field to help Sydney's defensive or ruck departments.
Geelong
The Cats have a good history of picking up unwanted talent out of WA, having recruited Sam Menegola and Tim Kelly for nothing in the past.
Much like Menegola, Clark has been cast back to the WAFL after a short stint at the elite level and will return to the state league competition he initially dominated to earn a list spot at West Coast.
With Geelong likely wanting to add some inside influence to their midfield group, Clark, who managed to be among the best-rated ball winners for the Eagles' reserves this year, could be a name to consider.
At age 26, the newly-signed Subiaco midfielder has likely missed his chance, but if the Cats are keen then they'll know what they can get out of the mature-aged talent.
Collingwood
The Magpies are set to explore the option of having recently delisted defender Will Kelly train at the club over the summer as part of the Supplemental Selection Period, and with a similar player like Foley also taking part in the summer program Collingwood could spark some competition for any vacant list spot.
Kelly's delisting could mean a positive outcome for premiership defender Nathan Murphy, whose future in the game has been placed in some doubt following another concussion in last month's grand final.
If Murphy is unable to start the next season, then a medium defender in Foley or Kelly, could be viewed as a potential depth replacement under Craig McRae.
Foley is able to play taller than his 189cm frame and could be an astute bargain recruit for the Magpies to consider via delisted free agency or the SSP.