MELBOURNE is the latest club to draw on the new player selection rules at the 11th hour, adding VFL player Jay Lockhart to its list.
Holding one position after the NAB AFL Rookie Draft, the Demons finalised their list by officially signing the Casey Demons midfielder on Friday morning.
The 23-year-old Tasmanian was set for another season with the Demons' VFL affiliate but will now be eligible for AFL selection.
Meanwhile, Gold Coast confirmed the signing of teenager Sam Fletcher and St Kilda pounced on former Carlton defender Sam Rowe in other deals done before Friday's deadline.
It leaves six AFL list positions open for the taking at before the end the pre-season supplemental selection period (SSP) closes at 5pm AEDT.
Otherwise, remaining spots can be carried into the mid-season draft that is expected to fall after round 11.
THE MID-SEASON DRAFT Finer details revealed
Those list spots have been derived from clubs passing on selections in the NAB AFL Rookie Draft, players sustaining long-term injuries, or seeing players retire.
Any player eligible to be selected during the SSP or mid-season draft must have either been on an AFL list previously or nominated for a NAB AFL Draft.
A number of positions have already been filled, with several former listed players handed lifelines, while talented undrafted players have also received last-minute call-ups.
For example, Carlton held one position over from the NAB AFL Rookie Draft by passing on its final selection, before sustaining a season-ending injury (Sam Docherty) and retiree (Tom Bugg).
Leaving them with three list spots, they decided to add two players in February (see below), with one still up their sleeve for the mid-season.
Reporter Mitch Cleary takes a look at where each club sits heading into Friday.
ADELAIDE
Ins to March 15: Nil
Mid-season: Nil
BRISBANE
Ins to March 15: Nil
Mid-season: Nil
CARLTON
Ins to March 15: Michael Gibbons (Williamstown, VFL) and Matthew Cottrell (Dandenong Stingrays, TAC Cup)
Mid-season: One position available
The Blues compensated for the loss of Sam Docherty (knee) and Tom Bugg (retirement) by signing VFL star Michael Gibbons and undrafted youngster Matt Cottrell. Both had been invited to train with the Blues in early December following Docherty's injury, with the pair signed to the club's rookie list during its training camp in February. Carlton still has one available spot, which it has carried since the end of last year's NAB AFL Rookie Draft, and plans to fill the vacancy at the mid-season draft. – Riley Beveridge
What a start for Michael Gibbons!
— AFL (@AFL) February 28, 2019
The new Blue has kicked Carlton's first two goals.#JLTSeries pic.twitter.com/SNQnxmnRVK
Michael Gibbons with the 2018 J.J Liston Trophy. Picture: AFL Photos
COLLINGWOOD
Ins to March 15: Nil
Mid-season: Nil
ESSENDON
Ins to March 15: Zac Clarke (Subiaco, WAFL)
Mid-season: Nil
After Matthew Leuenberger turned down a contract offer during trade period, the Bombers were forced to look elsewhere for another ruck option. Looking for a ready-made big man to partner Tom Bellchambers, the Bombers turned to former Docker Zac Clarke in November, fresh off a flag for Subiaco.
Former Docker Zac Clarke in action for the Bombers during the JLT. Picture: Getty Images
FREMANTLE
Ins to March 15: Nil
Mid-season: Nil
GEELONG
Ins to March 15: Nil
Mid-season: Nil
GOLD COAST
Ins to March 15: Sam Fletcher
Mid-season: Two positions available
Already holding one position after the NAB AFL Rookie Draft, season ending knee injuries to Harrison Wigg and Rory Thompson means the Suns held three free spots. On Friday they confirmed the signing of former NAB AFL Academy member Sam Fletcher, which leaves them with two list spots into the mid-season draft.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
Ins to March 15: Shane Mumford (previously retired)
Mid-season: One position available
Farewelling Rory Lobb to Fremantle in October, the Giants took the opportunity to pull their former ruckman Shane Mumford out of retirement in November. Mumford put pen to paper after a week of controversy for an off-field incident that will see him suspended for the first two games of the season.
Shane Mumford leaves the AFL Tribunal after an incident with Swan George Hewett. Picture: AFL Photos
HAWTHORN
Ins to March 15: Ned Reeves (Box Hill, VFL)
Mid-season: One position available
By placing the retired, yet still listed, Will Langford on the inactive list, the Hawks were able to open up a spot for beanpole ruckman Ned Reeves. The son of club CEO Justin, 20-year-old Ned had been training with the Hawks since the New Year. The Hawks were considering replacing Tom Mitchell, however have opted to upgrade Category B rookie Conor Nash, taking their final spot on the senior list.
MELBOURNE
Ins to March 15: Corey Wagner (Casey, VFL), Jay Lockhart (Casey, VFL)
Mid-season: Nil
In the window for a flag, the Demons opted for mature-age former Roo Corey Wagner to join brother Josh at AAMI Park in November. The Demons then added 23-year-old Casey midfielder Jay Lockhart on Friday, finalising their list for 2019.
Corey Wagner celebrates a goal for Casey during last year's VFL final series. Picture: AFL Photos
NORTH MELBOURNE
Ins to March 15: Tom Campbell (delisted from Western Bulldogs)
Mid-season: Nil
Despite a string of injury concerns in defence leading into round one, the Roos opted not to pursue an SSP replacement for Majak Daw. The sight of Daw running for the first time on Thursday will provide optimism for Roos fans he could make an unlikely return this season. Given they parted with Braydon Preuss in the trade period, the Roos took the opportunity for a ready-made replacement in delisted Dog Tom Campbell in December.
Delisted Dog Tom Campbell playing for North in the JLT. Picture: Getty Images
PORT ADELAIDE
Ins to March 15: Nil
Mid-season: One position available
After second-year midfielder Jake Patmore ruptured his ACL in a SANFL trial game, the Power will have the ability to replace him in the mid-season draft.
RICHMOND
Ins to March 15: Mav Weller (delisted from St Kilda), Sydney Stack (Perth, WAFL)
Mid-season: Nil
The Tigers turned for a combination of the old and new with its two list spots left from the NAB AFL Rookie Draft. Former Saint and Sun Mav Weller was quickly invited to train before joining the list prior to Christmas, giving the Tigers immediate depth after losing five players in the trade period. Talented WA youngster Sydney Stack was forced to prove himself before he was added, living with coach Damien Hardwick and attending the club's Queensland training camp.
Mav Weller and Jack Graham celebrate a a goal during the JLT. Picture: Getty Images
ST KILDA
Ins to March 15: Jonathon Marsh (Richmond, VFL), Sam Rowe (Doncaster East)
Mid-season: Nil
With key defenders Jake Carlisle (back), Oscar Clavarino (ankle) and Nathan Brown (suspended) ruled out for round one, the Saints jumped at Marsh. The former Magpie, who retired prematurely in 2016 after 15 AFL games, had impressed for Richmond's VFL side this summer following season seasons at East Fremantle. Draftee Jack Bytel (back) was put on the long-term injury list for the season to make room. With Dylan Roberton announcing he will stand aside in 2019, the Saints signed former Carlton defender Sam Rowe Friday's 5pm deadline.
New Saint and former Magpie Jonathon Marsh. Picture: saints.com.au
SYDNEY
Ins to March 15: Hayden McLean (South Adelaide, SANFL)
Mid-season: One position available*
After key defender Jack Maibaum ruptured his ACL a fortnight ago, the Swans took the chance to add the 197cm McLean to their list. After a season impressing for Sandringham in the VFL, the ruck/forward had crossed to South Adelaide ahead of this season. Should the Swans opt to place the retired, but still listed, Kurt Tippett on the inactive list, they can add to another player in the mid-season draft.
WEST COAST
Ins to March 15: Keegan Brooksy (South Adelaide, SANFL)
Mid-season: Nil
Needing insurance in the ruck department after losing Scott Lycett (Port Adelaide) and doubts around Nic Naitanui's return date from an ACL, the Eagles landed Tom Hickey via a trade. Not satisfied with their depth of talls, they went and nabbed former Sun Keegan Brooksby after an impressive season in the SANFL for South Adelaide.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Ins to March 15: Nil
Mid-season: Nil
While it was initially expected they would have one available position, the decision to add Category B rookie Buku Khamis to the senior list finalised the Dogs' position for 2019.