COLLINGWOOD has reaffirmed its faith in injury-plagued utility Brent Macaffer, re-signing the unrestricted free agent to the end of 2016. 

Macaffer was due to come out of contract at the end of this season but AFL.com.au understands he has re-signed with the Magpies for one more season. 

Macaffer's name was missing from the updated list of 2015 free agents released by the AFL on Thursday afternoon. 

Who's on the move? Check out the status of 2015's free agents

The 2010 premiership player is one of 10 free agents who have re-signed since the AFL released this year's initial list in March, with others including Jack Steven, Easton Wood, Aaron Sandilands, Richard Douglas and Alex Rance. 

Four prospective 2015 free agents have also since retired: Beau Waters, Brent Reilly, Kane Cornes and Chris Judd.

There were 67 players (11 unrestricted and 56 unrestricted) on March's free agency list, but that number has now shrunk to 53 (nine and 44). 

Tom Hawkins, Scott Selwood, Tom Bellchambers, Matthew Leuenberger, Matthew Kreuzer, Colin Garland, Matt Suckling and Robbie Tarrant are among the remaining free agents.

Macaffer has not played since round 22 last year when he ruptured his right anterior cruciate ligament against Greater Western Sydney.

Before his injury, Macaffer had enjoyed two outstanding seasons as a run-with midfielder, finishing sixth in Collingwood's 2013 best and fairest award and fifth last year.

Macaffer was forced to undergo minor surgery in May to rectify knee and hamstring niggles that had been delaying his rehabilitation.

The 27-year-old told Collingwood's website last month that he hoped to return to the field "towards the back end of the year".

Macaffer has made a successful return from a knee reconstruction previously, having ruptured his left ACL in February 2012.

Recruited by the Magpies in the 2007 rookie draft, the former Gippsland Power representative has since played 73 matches.