THE AFL's delisted free agency windows have shut, and all is in readiness for the NAB AFL Draft and Rookie Drafts from Wednesday.
There's now a clearer picture of how many spots are up for grabs at each club going into 2021.
Under new list constraints announced in November, each club must have a minimum of 37 players and no more than 44 for next year.
EXPLAINER Everything you need to know about the NAB AFL Draft
Clubs must carry at least 36 senior listed players and if they're intending on hitting only 37 overall, then they can have as few as one rookie.
To reach the maximum of 44, that must include 36-38 senior listed players, four to six standard rookies (Category A) and two Category B rookies.
If clubs go without Category B rookies, they'll be able to have a maximum of 42.
Those taken in the NAB AFL Draft are senior listed players.
Clubs have also been granted extra flexibility in building their 2021 lists and have had the chance to move two players from the 2020 senior list to the rookie list for next season before the Rookie Draft. As has been the case in recent years, the first $80,000 of each rookie's contract can sit outside the cap so by freeing up this process, it allows clubs to better manage their finances.
FINAL DRAFT ORDER Your club's picks for the 2020 NAB AFL Draft
Under the revised Collective Bargaining Agreement, Category B rookies will be allowed to play without the need to be upgraded in 2021.
For clubs leaving list spots open after the Rookie Draft, they'll be able to add players in the Pre-Season Supplemental Selection Period (SSP) from January 6 or carryover spots for the Mid-Season Rookie Draft to be held in June.
Mitch Cleary looks at how many players are contracted at each club as it stands.
Current contracted for 2021: 36 (six Category A, no Category B rookies)
Former Brisbane defender Mitch Hinge's arrival on a two-year deal takes the Crows to 36 list spots for next season. And Jackson Hately's arrival via the Pre-Season Draft will make it 37. David Mackay and Ben Davis have dropped from the senior list to the rookie list to provide flexibility, while Bryce Gibbs will also be carried as a rookie for administrative purposes after he received a payout for 2021 and is included in the six rookies. Once listed, Gibbs will be able to be moved to the inactive list, meaning the Crows can add a player via the Pre-Season Supplemental Selection Period (SSP).
Current contracted for 2021: 40 (four Category A, two Category B rookies)
The Lions are jam-packed for list spots which includes two Category B rookies, Deividas Uosis and James Madden, for next season, meaning they'll be able to use only four picks across both drafts. Connor Ballenden and Rhys Mathieson were added to the rookie list this week, while Grant Birchall has been delisted with the promise of being re-rookied at the Rookie Draft. Tom Fullarton's upgrade to the senior list leaves Archie Smith the other rookie.
Current contracted for 2021: 39 (four Category A rookies, one Category B)
Eddie Betts and Matt Kennedy have been moved to the rookie list to free up senior list spots. The Blues are currently committed to one Category B rookie in their total of 39 – former basketballer Matt Owies. Former rookie Michael Gibbons has been promoted to the senior list.
Current contracted for 2021: 34 (two Category A, two Category B rookies)
With Tom Langdon's retirement, it leaves the Pies with only 34 contracted players for next season – the least of any club to this point. With a minimum of 36 players required on the senior list, the Pies will need to take at least six picks in the NAB AFL Draft. While they're yet to announce it, Levi Greenwood and Anton Tohill have re-signed for next season and are included in the 34 along with Jordan De Goey who has committed to a two-year deal. It is expected Tohill and former basketballer Tom Wilson will be the two Category B rookies for the Pies in 2021. Jack Madgen and Brody Mihocek, who has re-signed for three years, have been promoted to the senior list.
Current contracted for 2021: 38 (four Category A, two Category B rookies)
Marty Gleeson and Dylan Clarke have been delisted, and while not added as part of the rookie pre-listing this week, will become rookies on Thursday at the Rookie Draft. The Bombers had two Category B rookies in 2020 - Tom Hird and Ross McQuillan - who will both be retained for 2021. Irishman Cian McBride is a standard Category A rookie. With 32 players on the senior list, the Bombers will need to take at least four picks in the NAB AFL Draft.
Current contracted for 2021: 38 (five Category A rookies, one Category B)
Brett Bewley and Lachie Schultz have already been cut from the senior list and placed on the rookie list as part of the pre-listing process this week. And Bailey Banfield will be re-rookied at the Rookie Draft on Thursday and has been included in the total of five above. The Dockers will also commit to Leno Thomas as a Category B rookie again. It leaves them with 32 senior listed players currently.
Current contracted for 2021: 41 (four Category A, two Category B rookies)
The Cats have three list spots to play with at the NAB AFL Draft and Rookie Draft given they've committed to two Category B rookies – Stefan Okunbor and Paul Tsapatolis – in their current quota of 41. The retirement of Jack Steven is factored in also. Don't expect the Cats to be too busy in the next week as they only need to take one player at the NAB AFL Draft.
Current contracted for 2021: 43 (six Category A, two Category B rookies)
The Suns will be allowed to have a maximum of 49 on their list next season – but the senior list will still be capped at 38 like other clubs. Jarrod Harbrow and Zac Smith are now rookies as part of the pre-listing process, while Jordan Murdoch and Jack Hombsch have been delisted and will be re-rookied at the Rookie Draft. All four are included in their total of six Category A rookies. Connor Budarick and Nick Holman have been lifted off the rookie list onto the senior list. Papua New Guinean Hawego Paul Oea has signed as a Category B rookie, while Irishman Luke Towey will continue on the same list. The Suns will get young guns Alex Davies and Joel Jeffrey outside the draft as part of their Next Generation Academy. Under a late rule tinker, both players will have to be senior listed and given they already have 35 senior listed players, the Suns will only have one live pick at the NAB AFL Draft.
Current contracted for 2021: 37 (five Category A rookies, one Category B)
Daniel Lloyd and Matt Buntine have both dropped from the senior list to the rookie list, while Sam Reid will be retained as a rookie at Thursday's Rookie Draft. Along with Jake Stein and Shane Mumford, they make up the Giants' five Category A rookies. Irishman Callum Brown is the sole Category B rookie, while Jack Buckley has been promoted from the rookie to senior list. Jackson Hately hasn't been included now that he is delisted and bound for Adelaide via the Pre-Season Draft.
Current contracted for 2021: 38 (five Category A rookies, one Category B)
After adding Tom Phillips and Kyle Hartigan in the Trade Period, the Hawks now have 38 contracted players for next season. That number includes forward Dylan Moore who was delisted and placed on the rookie list this week. Former Category B rookie Changkuoth Jiath has been upgraded to the primary list, while Harry Pepper remains a Category B rookie.
Current contracted for 2021: 38 (four Category A rookies, one Category B)
The Demons have moved up in this year's NAB AFL Draft with two first-round picks, so they're targeting a big haul come next week. Jay Lockhart has been promoted to the senior list, Kade Chandler has been re-signed as a rookie, while Aaron Nietschke and James Jordon have both been placed on the rookie list. Austin Bradtke remains as a Category B rookie.
Current contracted for 2021: 35 (three Category A rookies, one Category B)
Will Walker has been retained as a rookie after being demoted off the senior list. Tasmanian Matt McGuinness is being kept as the club's sole Category B rookie to this point. With a strong hand at next week's NAB AFL Draft, expect the Roos to target youth with at least five picks required.
Current contracted for 2021: 38 (three Category A rookies, one Category B)
The Power have their sights set on Next Generation Academy star Lachie Jones and may also draft father-son hopeful Taj Schofield at next week's draft but don't expect them to be overly busy. Martin Frederick is staying as a Category B rookie.
Current contracted for 2021: 39 (five Category A rookies, one Category B)
The Tigers will carry one Category B player at this stage after committing to ruckman Mate Colina. Derek Eggmolesse-Smith was delisted off the same list. While Bachar Houli's new deal is yet to be publicised, he's locked and loaded for 2021 at Punt Road. The Tigers have kept Ben Miller as a rookie after three seasons on the senior list. Liam Baker has been promoted off the rookie list leaving the Tigers with five current rookies – Miller, Sydney Stack, Marlion Pickett, Jake Aarts and Mabior Chol. Alex Rance is officially retired and has been removed from the list.
Current contracted for 2021: 38 (three Category A rookies, one Category B)
James Frawley's stunning backflip to join the Saints as a delisted free agent takes the Saints to 38 contracted players for 2021. The Saints announced that defender Oscar Clavarino will remain with the club, dropping from the senior list to the rookie list along with Darragh Joyce who held a deal for 2021. Ruck prospect Sam Alabakis will be retained as the club's only Category B rookie for now.
Current contracted for 2021: 38 (three Category A, two Category B rookies)
After parting with Elijah Taylor, the Swans have 38 contracted players for next season. Sam Gray and Robbie Fox were both delisted then re-classified as rookies as part of the pre-listing process the AFL recently introduced. The Swans have committed to new deals for Ben Ronke and Hayden McLean that they're yet to announce. Joel Amartey has been upgraded from the rookie to senior list. Barry O'Connor and Sam Wicks will continue as Category B rookies. They could also pick up former Saint Paddy McCartin as a rookie.
Current contracted for 2021: 38 (three Category A, no Category B rookies)
The Eagles have committed to new deals for Brendon Ah Chee (rookie) and Mark Hutchings (demoted to rookie), while Nathan Vardy has been retained after the Eagles lost ruck depth with Tom Hickey's departure. Jamaine Jones has committed to a new rookie deal, while Brayden Ainsworth has a contract. Daniel Venables was told he wouldn't be offered a new deal. Defender Harry Edwards has been upgraded from the rookie list after re-signing until 2022. Delisted Lion Cedric Cox is in the mix for a rookie spot, however it's more likely to come via the SSP which will allow him to be added to the Eagles' training squad in January before a concrete call.
Current contracted for 2021: 40 (five Category A rookies, one Category B)
The Dogs this week confirmed delisted pair Ben Cavarra and Will Hayes would be placed straight onto the rookie list. Roarke Smith will join them come Thursday's Rookie Draft with all three included in the five Category A rookies alongside Ryan Gardner and Jordon Sweet. Buku Khamis will return as a Category B rookie, while the Dogs are all chips in on bringing in Next Generation Academy prospect Jamarra Ugle-Hagan at the pointy end of the NAB AFL Draft.
