Rebuilds are tough - just ask North Melbourne fans.
Although they are more often associated with long periods of misery, rebuilds give a club a chance to revitalise their playing group and unveil a new generation into the football team.
Multiple AFL team's are currently in the midst of rebuilds - North Melbourne's has been particularly harsh, finishing in the bottom four for the last five consecutive seasons as they attempt to slowly lift themselves up the ladder.
Richmond are our newest addition to the club - dropping their average squad age from 4th to 16th in one season, after taking eight players in the national draft. Although they started brilliantly in round one against Carlton, their 72 point defeat to Port Adelaide is a testament to how difficult a list reboot can be.
Amid all this doom and gloom, it's easy to forget how exciting a rebuild can be, with a club finding their next generation of stars. Some clubs have certainly done a better job than others, so we decided to unpack some of the best, and most efficient, club rebuilds this century.
Hawthorn (2021-Present)
Hawthorn are our most recent rebuilders, who have (so far) successfully navigated a list overhaul.
Back in 2020, Hawthorn were the third-oldest team in the competition. A squad that still carried the remnants of their last premiership win, with Shaun Burgoyne, Paul Puopolo, Isaac Smith and Ben McEvoy still regular contributors.
Long-time list manager Mark McKenzie had an unenviable task - rejuvenating an ageing list filled with experienced, loyal players while blooding youth.
Although the Hawks finished in the bottom four for the next three seasons, they made consistent, intelligent list and club decisions.
Firstly, establishing a succession plan for Alastair Clarkson was risky - particularly given the history of succession plans - but the appointment of Sam Mitchell was bold and has paid off.
Secondly, their decisions in the draft have been shrewd and consistent. Their decisions to draft Nick Watson, Josh Weddle, Calsher Dear, and Cam Mackenzie coupled with their trades for D'Ambrosio, Ginnivan and now Barrass and Battle, have established the club as firm premiership favourites.
By 2025, Hawthorn's average age had dropped from 24.8 (2020) to 23.6, all the while playing their best footy since 2015. It remains to be seen if this rebuild can result in that elusive premiership, but the foundations have certainly been laid.
Sydney (2018-2022)
In 2018, although they finished sixth on the ladder, the Sydney Swans were certainly regressing. A first-round demolition by their cross-town rivals, the Giants, was followed by a 15th-place finish in 2019.
Throughout the 2019 season, without mentioning the word "rebuild," Swans coach John Longmire affirmed their desire to overhaul their list.
"It's a different group," said Longmire.
"We want to get our process right so we can be a really competitive team as soon as possible. That might not be this week," he added.
Remarkably, within three seasons, the Swans were back in a Grand Final in 2022. They had moved on older veterans and refreshed their squad.
This quick turnaround can be largely attributed to list manager Kinnear Beatson, who was also part of the recruiting team that secured Brisbane's three-peat in the early 2000s.
Beatson hit big on several draft picks before the 2022 season, most notably Chad Warner, taken in the second round of the 2019 draft at pick 39. Warner had a brilliant 2022, averaging 23 disposals while booting 20 goals for the season.
Sydney has also been a huge beneficiary of their academy system, which has produced the likes of Nick Blakey, Braeden Campbell and Errol Gulden.
West Coast (2010-2015)
A somewhat forgotten rebuild, but West Coast's revitalisation between their wooden spoon in 2010 and their Grand Final appearance in 2015 was certainly impressive.
In 2010, the Eagles were in a bit of an identity crisis, still clinging to the remnants of their 2006 premiership team. Dean Cox, Darren Glass, Andrew Embley and Quinten Lynch were all key figures in a team that finished dead last. By 2015, all four were gone, leaving significant gaps in key positions.
To fill these voids, the Eagles nailed multiple draft selections between 2010 and 2015.
Taken with pick 2, Nic Naitanui was more than an adequate replacement for Cox, quickly developing into one of the best ruckmen in the competition, earning All-Australian honours in just his fourth season.
Their 2010 draft haul was particularly successful, with future premiership players Jeremy McGovern, Jamie Cripps, Jack Darling, Andrew Gaff and Scott Lycett all selected.
By 2015, the Eagles had also secured Elliot Yeo, Dom Sheed and Tom Barrass, crafting a team primed for a Grand Final appearance in 2015 and a premiership in 2018.
Collingwood (2004-2007)
Although they finished the 2003 season in second place, Collingwood were regressing. They made another Grand Final but were soundly beaten by a Brisbane team hunting their third consecutive flag.
By 2004, Collingwood had started to slide, finishing second-last in a disastrous 2005 season - their worst finish since 2000.
However, in the next three seasons, under the leadership of Mick Malthouse, Collingwood instigated one of the most impressive list rebuilds in recent memory.
Between 2004 and 2006, Collingwood picked up star draftees Travis Cloke, Dale Thomas, Scott Pendlebury and Ben Reid. They also found future premiership players Heritier Lumumba, Alan Toovey, Brent Macaffer and Sharrod Wellingham in the rookie draft.
Although by 2007 they still retained a 34-year-old Nathan Buckley, the team was being blooded with youth, including future captain Nick Maxwell, Dane Swan and Heath Shaw.
During the 2007 finals series, the Pies came narrowly close to a Grand Final berth, falling to Geelong by just five points. Their rejuvenated list would taste premiership glory three years later, with no player over 30 in their premiership squad.
Geelong (2011-Present)
Rebuilds are often associated with poor form, but Geelong have managed to alter their list structure while maintaining on-field success.
In 2011, Chris Scott's first year in charge, Geelong had the oldest list in the competition (24.3), with veterans such as Jimmy Bartel, Paul Chapman, Cameron Ling and Cameron Mooney.
Geelong remained successful throughout the 2010s, missing finals only once, while constantly evolving their squad. By 2017, the team had already replaced key retirees like Bartel, Andrew Mackie and Tom Lonergan with future All-Australians such as Tim Kelly, Tom Stewart, Cameron Guthrie and Mark Blicavs, all taken after pick 20 in the draft.
Fast forward to their 2022 premiership win, and Geelong again had the oldest list in the comp (25.5). This time, their success came from their strength in attracting players from other clubs, including Isaac Smith, Patrick Dangerfield, Jeremy Cameron, Luke Dahlhaus and Gary Rohan.
Now in 2025, Geelong boasts one of the best young cores in the league while having only missed finals once in the past decade. With Bailey Smith, Ollie Henry, Max Holmes, Ollie Dempsey and Sam De Koning all under 25, Geelong continue to solidify themselves as a team for the future.
Western Bulldogs (2010-2016)
The 2010 Bulldogs, while still competitive, had the oldest squad in the competition, with several over-30 players, including Brad Johnson, Barry Hall and Nathan Eagleton.
By 2011, the Bulldogs were regressing, and a rebuild was on the horizon. The next two years were brutal, with Johnson, Hall and Eagleton retiring, while key contributors Brian Lake, Mitch Hahn and Ryan Hargrave were moved on.
By 2014, the club was in freefall. They lost over 700 games of experience that off-season, with club captain and star midfielder, Ryan Griffen, requesting a trade and former Brownlow medalist, Adam Cooney departing for Essendon. With senior coach Brendan McCartney and CEO Simon Garlick also departing, it appeared the Dogs were destined to fall down the ladder.
Importantly, during this period the Bulldogs made several brilliant decisions on draft day. Firstly, taking Marcus Bontempelli with the fourth overall pick in 2013, as well as Jake Stringer, Jack Macrae, Lachie Hunter, Tom Boyd and Josh Dunkley within two seasons. Their 2014 draft haul was particularly impressive, taking future premiership players, Caleb Daniel, Bailey Dale and Zaine Cordy in one night.
Arguably, their best rebuild decision was to hire Luke Beveridge as a senior coach, who would guide one of the best young cores in the competition to a final series in 2015 and a premiership in 2016. The speed of this list rebuild, facilitated by some brilliant draft selections and the sheer ruthlessness of their trade decisions, remains impressive and set the club up for multiple finals appearances beyond 2016.
