More 2022 Delistings and Retirements

Following the end of the AFL season, roster changes affected West Coast, Geelong, Sydney, North Melbourne, Carlton, Port Adelaide, Essendon, and Gold Coast. 

Eagle midfielder and Jack Redden has retired. He was originally drafted by Brisbane where he played 129 games in seven seasons before crossing the Eagles in 2016. He played 134 games for the Eagles including the 2018 premiership. He was a key to that winning side and was voted Player of the Finals that year as well as finishing second in the best and fairest. West Coast delisted Jackson Nelson, Hugh Dixon, Patrick Naish, and Tom Joyce. Nelson, 28, was drafted in 2014 and played 102 games mostly in defense but could take a turn in the midfield. Dixon and Joyce were supplemental selections during the club's injury crisis. Dixon was originally with the Dockers and played 10 games for the Eagles while Joyce was sidelined for the year with an ankle injury. 

Redden, 31, said he had been contemplating his future for several weeks. While his retirement surprised most at the club, part of the rationale for his decision reflects the selfless attributes he had often displayed, “I am really content with the decision. I will be eternally grateful for the opportunities given to me ... To play in the 2018 premiership is obviously a highlight, but I have also had the chance to create some lifelong friendships ... I thought about it for a few weeks ... it just feels like it is the right time, both personally and for the club which is going through a rebuild."

When he arrived at the club at the end of 2015, Coach Adam Simpson said the unheralded player made an immediate impression, “From the first day ... Reddo impressed with his professionalism and attitude. He is highly respected right across the club ... He has strong values that align with his work ethic and we are certainly going to miss him. His influence both on and off the field has been profound.”

The Eagles delisted Patrick Naish after just one season. Naish, the son of former Tiger Chris, was drafted by Richmond but managed just nine games before being delisted. He was picked up by the Eagles in the 2022 Supplemental Signing Period. He played a further 11 games with the Eagles. 

Geelong delisted midfielder Quinton Narkle, forward Francis Evans, Category B rookie Paul Tsapatolis, tall defender Nick Stevens and 2022 mid-season rookie pick Zane Williams. Narkle played 41 games in six seasons including eight in 2022. He could find a new club as a delisted free agent. Evans was drafted i n 2019 and played seven games. He also departs as a delisted free agent. The others never managed any senior games.

Cat Luke Dahlhaus has retired. He was originally drafted by the Bulldogs as a rookie in 2011 and played 225 games and kicked 141 goals for the Dogs. He joined Geelong as an unrestricted free agent at the end of 2018. He played a further 71 games for the Cats. He was a key member of the Bulldogs' 2016 premiership side. Dahlhaus said he will leave the game most grateful for the enduring friendships he had developed, “I feel very lucky and honored to have played at two amazing football clubs over 12 years and made friends that I will have for life. Thank you to everyone that has supported me along the way.”

Geelong General Manager of Football, Simon Lloyd said Dahlhaus has been an integral part of the club, “Luke has had an exceptional career ... and we’ve been very fortunate to have him here ... On the field, he often set the tone for our group with his determination and team-first mentality, but he was equally important off the field, where his enthusiasm for teammates and his kind and giving nature made him one of the most popular members of our club.”

Just after the conclusion of the season proper, Sydney ruckman Callum Sinclair and defender Colin O'Riordan announced their retirements. Sinclair, 32, was originally drafted by West Coast in 2012 and has played a total of 118 games. General Manager Charlie Gardiner said, "Callum has been a real warrior for us. He has played some really good senior football with us ... but in recent times his work with our VFL squad has been enormous. He has played a selfless role for the team and been a terrific leader amongst our developing players. Cal is a hugely popular player ... ". O’Riordan, 26, joined the Swans in 2015 as a Category B rookie [foreign player], hailing from County Tipperary in Ireland. He has played 34 games for the Swans. Gardiner said, " ... Colin has been one of the most popular members of our playing group and he will be sorely missed. It really is an incredible achievement to move ... from Ireland, learn a new game and forge a successful AFL career and Colin has been able to do just that.” [Ed. note:: Games tallies are through Round 23.]

The Sydney Swans have delisted Lewis Taylor and Barry O’Connor. Taylor, a second-round draft pick with the Brisbane Lions, burst onto the scene winning the AFL Rising Star Award in his debut season of 2014. Taylor, 27, joined the Swans in 2020 but managed just 12 games in the past three seasons. Irish born O’Connor made the switch from Gaelic Football to Australian Rules when the Swans signed him as an International Category B Rookie in 2019. O'Connor honed his defensive craft in the VFL but did not manage any senior games.

North Melbourne delisted Kyron Hayden, Matt McGuinness and Patrick Walker. Hayden was drafted in 2017 and debuted in 2019. He played 17 games as a defender. In early 2020, injuries curtailed his season. He managed five games in 2022. McGuinness was a youth Academy selection in 2019 and Walker was selected in the 2020 rookie draft. Both played 17 games in the VFL in 2022. Neither managed any senior games.

Carlton has delisted two more players: Liam Stocker and Will Hayes. Stocker played 28 games in four seasons after making his debut in 2019. He played six games in 2022. Will Hayes made his Carlton debut as the medical sub in Round 17 against the Eagles and was part of the 22 against Geelong, in what were his two appearances since being selected as a midseason rookie this year. List Manager Austin acknowledged the efforts of both players, “Liam gave great effort ... while he was not able to solidify his place in the side this year, his capacity to continue to work hard was a testament to him. Although Will was only on the list for a short period of time, his efforts to earn a place in the side ... was a result of his work ethic ... ".

Port Adelaide has delisted three players and confirmed wingman Karl Amon has departed as an unrestricted free agent to Hawthorn. Throughout much of the season, it was speculated that Amon, 27 desired a return home to Victoria. Hawthorn, Carlton, and St Kilda were all interested but he has opted for the Hawks and signed at the end of September when the free agency period opened. List manager Jason Cripps said, “Karl has been an outstanding clubman ... and he should be commended for his professionalism and maturity ... ".The three delisted players are former Brisbane Lion Sam Skinner, father-son selection Taj Schofield, and midfielder Sam Mayes. Skinner, 25, was drafted by Brisbane in 2015 and played 3 games in an injury-riddled stint before being delisted at the end of 2020. Port signed him as a delisted free agent but he managed just 2 games for Port. Schofield is the son of former player Jarrad Schofield and was rookie-listed in 2020 but never made a senior appearance. Mayes, 28, was drafted by Brisbane in 2013 and played 101 games before requesting a trade home to South Australia at the end of 2018. He played 20 games for Port.

Essendon has delisted Tom Cutler, Garrett McDonagh, and Tom Hird, the son of club legend James. Cutler played 66 games for Brisbane before being traded to the Bombers at the end of 2019. He played 30 games for Essendon. McDonagh was a mature-age recruit in 2021 while Hird, due to playing soccer, was listed as a Category B rookie in 2020. Both spent their time in the VFL without making their senior debuts.

Gold Coast small forward Izak Rakine informed the club he wants to be traded back home to South Australia. His preferred club is the Adelaide Crows. He was drafted from West Adelaide in the SANFL in 2018 and played 48 games for the Suns The club is disappointed but will try to accommodate him during the trade period. He also contacted the Crows and the Crows will work with the Suns on a deal.

Sources: sen.com.au, Michael Tormey, North Melbourne Media Release, Will Botoulas, Carlton Media Release, Gary Stocks, WCE Media Release, Tom Chadwick, Sydney Media Release, afl.com.au, Carla Monforte, Geelong Media Release, Alexandra Stewart, Essendon Media Release, Josh Cheadle, GC Media Release, Reece Homfray, Adelaide Media Release