Worth a look? The best delisted AFL players who could earn a chance at another club

The AFL trade period might be over, but clubs still have the opportunity to bring in more players before next month’s national and rookie drafts.

Clubs can now sign any player who has recently been delisted and there are a host of decent options out there, including an All-Australian, top-10 draft picks and even a Norm Smith medallist.

7NEWS.com.au have picked out the best players (in no particular order) who can be signed as delisted free agents or recruited in the upcoming drafts.

The 2023 Norm Smith medallist departed Collingwood in messy circumstances, but has since been training and keen to continue his AFL career at a third club. West Coast have expressed some interest in the Norm Smith medallist , but it remains to be seen whether that eventuates into a list spot. Hill looms as a good option for a train-on player with the potential to sign as SSP rookie. Hall can also be signed outside of the official list as a Category B rookie under the new Indigenous rookie rules.

The veteran was let go by Carlton at the conclusion of his six-year contract. Only managed nine games this year, including just one under new coach Josh Fraser. Williams has just turned 32, but has already been linked to Sydney and also Essendon. Capable of playing at either end, he would likely be seen as a defender for the Swans given they lost Nick Blakey and will be without injured skipper Callum Mills for the majority of the season. Shapes as a shrewd recruit given he is a ready-made player, who can slot straight in.

The much-loved veteran departed Fremantle after 119 games across nine seasons. Was a regular between 2022 and 2025, but managed just one senior game this year. Still only 28 and would be a handy addition for a rebuilding team in need of an experienced head. Essendon have been linked to the versatile player as a potential delisted free agent or rookie signing in the pre-season supplemental period. Banfield has been lauded for his professionalism and character, highlighted on Brownlow Medal night when he won the Jim Stynes Award for his charity work in the community.

Multiple clubs have already inquired about the delisted Bomber as revealed by 7NEWS reporter Xander McGuire. The 21-year-old, who was taken with pick No.5 in the 2022 draft, managed just 22 games in his four seasons at Essendon. Tsatas has the ability to find the football and shapes a good back-up midfielder with big upside for whoever takes the punt.

The veteran goalkicker is available to any Victorian club, but might be running out of suitors. Stringer was let go by the Giants at the end of the season despite kicking 48 goals, the most of any player at the club. The 32-year-old did meet with new Essendon coach Mark McVeigh, although a return to the Bombers is considered unlikely. Stringer is keen to continue his AFL career and could appeal to a club looking for an extra option up forward.

The former cricketer was delisted by the Magpies after playing 14 games in three seasons, including five this year. While the 24-year-old is technically available to all clubs, he has already agreed to join Carlton as a delisted free agent.