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Campbell Clips Kersten

The AFL free agency period opened in early November and ran through November 9. Several delisted players found new homes. Players who have been delisted can join any club that offers them a contract and would therefore avoid having to enter the AFL draft later this month. All clubs then filed a list lodgment (current playing lists) on November 10 and another round begins on November 10 and runs through November 15.

Sacked Crow Tyson Stengle joined Geelong as a delisted free agent. Stengle, 22, played two games for Richmond and 16 games for the Crows over a four-year period but a string of off-field indiscretions saw the Crows decide to cancel his contract. In the SANFL this year, Stengle kicked 44 goals in 19 games, including nine goals in three finals. He is set to reunite with former teammate Eddie Betts, who has taken up an off-field role at the Cats.

St Kilda has signed delisted free agent ruckman Tom Campbell on a one-year deal. Campbell. 30, was delisted by North Melbourne after 12 games. He started at the Bulldogs as a rookie in 2911 and played 42 games.

Former Brisbane Lions utility Sam Skinner has joined Port Adelaide as a delisted free agent. Skinner managed just three games for the Lions across four seasons but was hampered by injury before eventually being delisted by the club at the end of 2020. Skinner, 24, played for South Adelaide in the SANFL in 2021.

Delisted Eagle Jarrod Brander, 22, has joined Greater Western Sydney. The former Eagle’s versatility was counterproductive during his time at West Coast as he struggled to establish himself in any position on the ground. Brander, who’s played 22 AFL games including a career-best 11 appearances in 2021, had drawn interest from rival clubs, it was the Giants who ultimately picked him up.

During the first free agency period in the first week of November, Gold Coast came to an agreement with Hugh Greenwood, Rory Thompson and Jez McLennan. The three agreed to be delisted with the promise from Gold Coast that they would be added back onto the list. Greenwood and Thompson will be drafted back onto the senior list while McLennan will be added as a rookie. In a statement, the club said it was to “assist the club’s overall list strategy”.

Greenwood played 15 senior games this year, but his season ended early due to a knee injury. Thompson hasn’t played at AFL level since Round 19 2018 after suffering two ACL injuries. McLennan is yet to debut for the Suns.

Suns General Manager of Player Talent and Strategy, Craig Cameron, explained the club’s decision to delist the trio, “We’ve had a deliberate strategy on improving our list over the past four years and that hasn’t changed during this year’s trade and draft period. Having a high number of contracted players, we have had to explore all possible options to comply with AFL requirements ... this temporary measure ... will allow the club to redraft them to our list ahead of next season.”

Just days after the Suns announced the delistings, North Melbourne swooped and signed free agent Hugh Greenwood, foiling the Suns' plan to redraft him. Greenwood explained via Twitter that he was set to be redrafted by Gold Coast but that North saw an opportunity, "24 hours can be a very long time in footy ... with the ... deadline approaching on the Monday, both parties agreed on a deal that we felt comfortable [sic] enough ticked the boxes required for us to consider, and ultimately move our young family to Melbourne."

It's understood the Kangaroos have signed Greenwood to a two-year deal with a trigger for a third. Greenwood still had two years on his contract with the Suns. Suns general manager of player talent and strategy Craig Cameron said they had an "open conversation" about the Roos' offer, ... "We sat down and had an open conversation about the offer and what was best for both Hugh, his family and the Gold Coast Suns. As a group, the decision was made to support Hugh in his wish to join North Melbourne and extend his AFL playing career."

Greenwood said the opportunity at North, " ... was one too good to turn down. I’d like to thank the Gold Coast Suns and its members for all the support they have provided me and my family over the past two years. I strongly believe the football club is now in a far better position than when I first arrived, and I wish everyone here all the best for what will be an exciting few years ahead."

AFL club Geelong Cats have confirmed that young Mayo star Oisín Mullin has signed on with them on a two-year rookie contract. Mullin was named as the GAA’s young footballer of the year 2020. Mullin, 21, was one of Ireland's rising stars and was a key player in County Mayo's run for the championships in 2020 and 2021. The young star is very athletic and has a great leap and the Cats already have a plan in place for his continued development. He joins fellow Irishmen Zach Tuohy and Mark O’Connor on Geelong's list. Another Irish player from Mayo, Rachel Kearns, has signed with Geelong's AFLW team.

Source: afl.com.au, theage.com.au.punditarena.com

Article last changed on Wednesday, December 22, 2021 - 3:09 PM EST


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