FORMER Melbourne co-captain Jack Trengove has been delisted, bringing a likely end to a promising career that was jeopardised by a career-threatening foot injury.
Trengove, 26, and ruckman Jake Spencer won't be offered new contracts for the 2018 season while forward Liam Hulett and rookie Mitch White have also been let go.
Who's hanging up the boots? Keep track of 2017's retirements and delistings
Trengove played 86 matches in seven seasons with the Demons after being drafted with pick No.2 in the 2009 NAB AFL Draft, behind then teammate and now GWS star Tom Scully.
The midfielder was cut down by a severe navicular foot injury in the prime of his career, managing just seven matches between 2014 and 2017.
Trengove required two bouts of surgery after scans in 2014 confirmed he had a crack in his navicular bone.
The highly-popular ex-captain played just two games in 2014 and none in 2015 after he re-injured his foot and needed further surgery.
In a twist, Trengove almost joined Richmond in the 2014 trade period, and only didn't because the Tigers' doctors could not clear him.
Trengove managed just two games in 2017 after he failed to establish himself in Melbourne's side, and the Demons often spoke about his exemplary attitude in his role at VFL level.
He was appointed as the club's co-captain, alongside Jack Grimes, in 2012 and served in the position until the end of 2013.
At just 20 years of age, Trengove became the youngest club captain in VFL/AFL history.
Melbourne football manager Josh Mahoney commended Trengove for his hard work in returning from injury.
"Jack has been an outstanding person to have come through the Melbourne football club. He leaves having captained the club through some tough times and having provided genuine leadership to all his teammates, particularly the younger players coming through in recent times," he said.
"His resilience and ability to overcome a serious foot injury was testament to his character. To again play at the highest level, when the odds were against him, was a credit to his perseverance and will to play in the AFL.
"He has been a highly popular figure among the entire football club and our supporters, who have admired him greatly for his persistence."
Spencer played 38 games for the Demons after making his debut in round one, 2009.
The 203cm ruckman, recruited from Hermit Park (a suburb of Townsville, Queensland), never played more than 10 games in a season but served an important role as the club's back-up big man.
Spencer was unlucky not to play more games this season after Max Gawn went down with a long-term hamstring complaint, injuring the AC joint in his shoulder against Richmond in round five.
White, retained on the club's rookie list for the past three seasons, played four games for the Demons, employed mainly as a small defender.
Hulett didn't play a game for the club in two seasons.
