List Changes Round II

The AFL player shuffle continued with these changes occurring in late October:

Sydney has delisted utility Dean Towers, Jordan Foote, Angus Styles, Jake Brown, Daniel Robinson and Harry Marsh, Towers, 28, was a first-round draft pick as a mature-aged player out of the VFL in 2012 and played 57 games in six seasons. Foote played just six games in four years

while neither Styles nor Brown played any senior games. Robinson and Marsh both played 25 games, managing just nine in 2018. Both struggled to cement a permanent spot in the side with Robinson limited by shoulder and collarbone injuries. Previous departures include the preseason retirement of Kurt Tippett, the delisting of Alex Johnson and the trading of Dan Hannebery (St Kilda), Gary Rohan (Geelong) and Nic Newman (Carlton).

Port Adelaide has delisted small forward Jake Neade, former Melbourne winger Dom Barry and rookie-listed midfielder Will Snelling. Neade, 24, was linked to Collingwood during the trade period, but a deal wasn't finalized. Neade played eight games in 2018. Barry, 24, played five games for Melbourne between 2013-14 before taking time away from the game. He decided he wanted to resume his football career last year and Port drafted him but he couldn't establish himself in the side. Snelling, 21, was drafted in 2015 and debuted in the final game of 2016. That was his only senior game. Rookie Dan Houston has been upgraded to the senior list. He played all 22 games in 2018 and won the club's best player under 21 award as well as the coaches' award as the most improved.

West Coast has delisted project ruckman Tony Olango, senior-listed duo Luke Partington and Malcolm Karpany, rookies Callan England and Ryan Burrows and category B rookie Tarir Bayok. Partington and Karpany were unable to crack an AFL appearance this season. None of the other four were able to make a debut. South Australian product Partington, 21, manged only six games since being drafted in 2015. However he is hopeful of finding a new club after an impressive season with East Perth in the WAFL. He averaged 25 disposals and a goal in 17 games, finishing in a three-way tie for the Royals' best and fairest. Karpany 23, was drafted in 2013 and played six of his seven matches in 2017. He battled a knee injury this season and managed only 10 WAFL appearances. Bayok is from Sudan and only began playing the game in 2010. The Eagles' delistings follow the retirements of veterans Mark LeCras and Eric Mackenzie.

With Nic Nataitui sidelined and Scott Lycett traded, it leaves the Eagles light in the ruck department. They are believed to be considering former Docker Zac Clarke. Clarke, 28, was delisted by Fremantle after battling knee problems but bounced back in 2018 and averaged 39 hit-outs, 15.7 disposals and kicked 28 goals in 20 games.

Melbourne has delisted fringe players Cameron Pedersen and Tom Bugg along with ruckmen Mitch King and Lochie Filipovic, and injury-prone defender Pat McKenna. Pedersen played 16 games for North Melbourne before being traded to the Demons at the end of 2012. He played 64 games for Melbourne but managed just four games in 2018 being stuck behind Max Gawn, Tom McDonald and Sam Weideman. Bugg, a versatile player who could play midfield, forward and defense was an inaugural player for GWS where he played 31 games 2012-2015. He played a further 65 with the Demons. He managed only three in 2018. McKenna, King and rookie Filipovic didn’t play an AFL game. In his two seasons with Melbourne, McKenna was severely restricted by hamstring injuries and didn’t get back to playing with continuity until midseason this year. A knee injury ruined Mitch King’s first season at the club in 2016, and he still had some niggles along the way, including an elbow injury earlier this year. Filipovic's season was also curtailed by a hand injury. This follows the retirements of Bernie Vince and first-year Demon Harley Balic.

Midfielder Corey Maynard has been elevated from the rookie list to the seniors despite a hip injury restricting him to just two games. List manager Josh Mahoney believes Maynard's attitude and competitiveness will get him back on track in his development. Maynard previously played basketball in the NBL as well as with US college team, Bryant University. He switched fo footy and was selected by Melbourne as a Category B rookie in 2017.

Hawthorn has delisted Jonathan O'Rourke, Dallas Willsmore and Kurt Heatherley. O'Rourke, the number two draft selection for GWS in 2011, was an inaugural player for GWS but played just nine games due to injury. He was traded to the Hawks at the end of 2014 but he had no better luck with the Hawks, playing just another 12 games as he battled serious hamstring injuries. Key defender Kurt Heatherley is from New Zealand and was signed as an international rookie in 2013 and played five games. Willsmore was delisted from the senior list at the end of last year but given another chance as a rookie. The midfielder was unable to add to his two-game tally in 2018. Willsmore and O'Rourke were part of Box Hill's premiership win in this year's VFL competition.

Essendon veteran ruckman Matthew Leuenberger has retired. He was offered a new contract by the Bombers but felt "... the flame is now burning too low to compete every day at training let alone game day ..." and said it would be selfish to go around for another season. He Played 108 games for Brisbane before crossing to Essendon for a further 29 games. He thanked the Lions for giving him his start and Essendon along with teammates, fans, family and friends for their support. He said he will be happy to watch games next year as a fan and is excited by the direction in which Essendon is heading with so many young players coming through.

All clubs must submit their player lists with the AFL for the first time on October 31. As part of the new rules ahead of the draft, clubs can still trade draft picks until Friday, November 16. The draft is held over two days, beginning on Thursday, November 22. The final  list submission is required after the November 22-23 draft and preseaon drafts. WatchAFL will cover both days of the draft live.

Sources: sen.com.au, afl.com.au, Daniel Norton, Port Adelaide Media Release,Natalie MacGregor, Essendon Media Release, AFL Record Season Guide