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Signings, Retirements, and Sackings

Players have been added or dropped from five AFL clubs in recent weeks for a wide range of reasons. 

North Melbourne has terminated Tarryn Thomas. Thomas, aged 23, was recently banned from playing for 18 weeks after another incident of inappropriate behavior. He has faced charges of domestic violence and other offenses against several women. The club, after numerous interventions and support structures to help him, have run out of patience.

A statement released by the club said in part, "The club has provided Tarryn with significant time, resources and support but we've now arrived at a point where the individual's needs don't match those of the club. We know Tarryn needs help - for himself and for the women in his life - but it's clear the path we've taken over the past 12 months hasn't had the desired impact ... we have made the decision to end Tarryn's time at North Melbourne. This decision doesn't come lightly or easily ... we acknowledge that he has faced complex and challenging circumstances over his life. We hope Tarryn will find the support that is right for him and that he does the work required to be the best version of himself."

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Power and Bulldogs Delist Players Plus Lycett Retires

Scott Lycett Contests Mark (file photo/AFANA)

The past week provided yet more delistings and retirements. The Western Bulldogs delisted Hayden Crozier and Roarke Smith. Port Adelaide delisted Orazio Fantasia, Sam Hayes, and Jake Pasini while Scott Lycett has retired. Sam Naismith has found his way back into the AFL at Richmond.

Lycett, a former Port Adelaide SANFL player, was drafted by West Coast in 2010 and played 75 games for the Eagles, including the 2018 premiership. At the end of 2018, he moved to Port as a free agent and played a further 71 games. Port Coach Ken Hinkley said, "Scott has been an outstanding contributor for two clubs ... He was an incredible workhorse for our club during the last five seasons and was totally focused on putting his teammates first. As a former Port Adelaide junior, Scott was Port Adelaide through and through.

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2023 AFL Life Memberships

Parker Kicks For Goal

In early October, the AFL announced four new members for AFL life membership. The new members are  Neil Craig, Peggy O'Neal, Kevin Sheehan, and Greg Swann for their respective roles within the game. The formal induction will take place next year during the 2024 season launch. Six players who reached 300 games also qualify by rule. They are:  Luke Breust, Dustin Martin, Luke Parker, Isaac Smith, Callan Ward, and Jack Ziebell.

2024 LIFE MEMBERS

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Adem Yze Named Tigers Coach

Richmond announced that Adem Yze would be their new senior coach at the end of preliminary finals week. Yze, 46. began as an assistant at Hawthorn under Alastair Clarkson. He was there for the three premierships the Hawks won in 2013, 2014, and 2015. He returned to the Demons, where he played 271 games, in late 2020 and was again involved in a premiership when Melbourne won in 2021. Of his appointment, Yze said, “This is a club steeped in history and blessed with a magnificent supporter base. I feel very humbled to have been given this opportunity, ... ".

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Jumping Jack No Longer

Jumpin' Jack Flies (Densham/AFANA)

Tiger forward Jack Riewoldt played his final game in Round 23. It is also Trent Cotchin's final game. Cotchin announced his retirement ahead of Round 22.Riewoldt said he had been considering retirement for most of the season. He joked he really knew it was time to make the call during the loss to St Kilda, when in the process of taking a hanger (a mark or high catch of the ball) he was only being able to knee Saint Jack Sinclair "just above the tailbone", rather than on the shoulder or upper back. Riewoldt, 34, retires with the second most games for the Tigers to his name.

JACK RIEWOLDT

Riewoldt was the heir apparent to fellow Tasmanian and Tiger Matthew Richardson. Their careers dovetailed and it was Riewoldt's arrival which was partly responsible for Richardson's move from the forward line to the wing.

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Trent Cotchin and Isaac Smith Call Time

Trent Cotchin (Kim Densham/AFANA)

Just ahead of round 21, Tiger champion Trent Cotchin and Geelong champion Issac Smith announced their retirements. In speaking to his teammates, Cotchin reflected on the “authentic human connection” and “love” he had experienced during his career. Cotchin then said, “I am going to miss with all my heart the relationships, memories and experiences ... I accept reality ... My body is somewhat slowing down and is older than it once was. I found my life purpose at Richmond. I look to the future ... because of what I found here at Richmond and what Richmond people taught me ... creating an environment to help other realize and fulfill their potential not only inspired me but helped me to overcome my own fears ... I have always given my best and left no stone unturned ... ".

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Chronic Hip Issues Force Tarrant Retirement

Tarrant Attempts Tackle (file photo)

Just ahead of round 18, Tiger defender Robbie Tarrant announced his immediate retirement. Tarrant, 34, was drafted by North Melbourne in 2007. A string of injuries restricted him to just two games in his first three seasons, but he fought his way through to establish himself as a consistent defender. He played 194 games for the Kangaroos before being traded to the Tigers at the end of 2021. He played 20 games for the Tigers last year. The worsening injury to his hip left him no choice but to retire. He expressed an "overwhelming sense of appreciation" for his long AFL career. He said, “I know if I do not announce it today, that I will keep trying to play, and I am worried about where that will land me come season's end. Having missed the draft as a 17-year-old, I knew from then on that if I was going to make it, I was going to have to work as hard as I could. And I finish up today knowing that I have done that. I have got nothing left in the tank.”

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Untidy Tigers Defeat Eagles

Rioli brilliance (file photo)

The Richmond Tigers defeated the West Coast Eagles to move to within two points of the top eight. The Tigers had moments of individual brilliance, punctuated by long spells of indifferent form as they ground out a victory against the spirited West Coast. The Eagles have been enlivened by the return of some of their best players but ultimately fell short of what was required to overcome the more talented Tigers. The struggling Eagles have now won just three of the past forty-four matches and this year sit at the bottom of the ladder, with just one win, way back in the second round against the GWS Giants. The Tigers have won three of their past four games and are within striking distance of the top eight, but would need to show much more than they did against the Eagles to get ahead of the log jam in front of them.

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Suns Sack Coach

Dew at "Big Freeze" (Densham/AFANA)

Shortly after Round 17, Gold Coast informed senior coach Stuart Dew that his services were no longer needed. In recent weeks, reports had leaked out that Dew would lose his position despite CEO Mark Evans recently stating that Dew would remain. Dew, 43, departs the Suns with a 36-84-1 record from 121 matches. The Suns are currently in 13th place.

Dew was appointed in 2017 and his best season in charge was 2022 when the Suns won 10 games. He was contracted through 2024. Assistant coach and former Geelong player Steven King will take over for Dew for the remainder of the season. There is already speculation that former Richmond coach Damien Hardwick is favored to replace Dew.

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2023 Midseason Rookie Draft

Narkle Breaks a Tackle (file photo)

The mid-season draft was held at the end of May with clubs allowed to fill out their lists provided they had open spots available. Often these are players who were either overlooked in the regular drafts or they are "mature-age" players who perhaps weren't ready to be drafted at 18 or 19 years old.

The number of the pick precedes the name of the player selected and the current club of the player follows their name. Two rounds were held but not all clubs had picks in either round. Carlton, Gold Coast, Adelaide, St Kilda, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Collingwood didn’t participate in the draft as they didn’t have any available list places. GWS had selections 5 and 14 but passed on both. Clubs are listed in alphabetic order.

ESSENDON

(9) JAIDEN HUNTER (Perth, WAFL), 21, 190cm (6'1"), 93kg (204 lbs), tall forward
Has been eligible for the draft for the past few years with several clubs showing interest. Came back from a recent injury to kick 11 goals in his past three games

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