GEELONG has begun a cleanout of its list, releasing rookies Zac Bates, Cameron Delaney, Padraig Lucey, Tom Read and Jock Cornell ahead of the upcoming trade period.
The club's two other rookies, Tom Ruggles, who played 18 AFL games this season, and the promising James Parsons, remain at the Cats.
All the retirements and delistings
Bates did not play a senior game with hamstring injuries denying him opportunities. The speedster managed just 19 VFL games in his three seasons on the rookie list after being recruited from SANFL's West Adelaide.
The club's punt on former North Melbourne defender Delaney failed to pay off with injuries restricting him to 10 VFL matches in two seasons at the Cats.
He played six senior games for North Melbourne after the Kangaroos selected him in the 2010 NAB AFL Draft.
Lucey was added to the list as a category B rookie after appearing on The Recruit. The Irishman improved in the back end of 2016 and played 33 VFL games for Geelong.
Lucey is not the only ruckman to depart with Read also delisted after two seasons at the Cats. He battled a knee injury in 2016.
After a promising season, the Cats have also moved on Cornell after one season where he played 17 VFL games.
Geelong football manager Steve Hocking told the Cats' website he hoped the five players would receive a second chance to prove their talent.
"All five guys have shown great dedication to their football despite the challenges that have been thrown at them and we hope they receive opportunities at other clubs," he said.
