Second chance saloon: AFL players in limbo that deserve a footy lifeline in 2025

The trade period may be over, but clubs will continue to assess the market for ways they can add to their list ahead of the National Draft.

The first of three delisted free agency windows open on November 1, with two windows before and one after the National Draft later in the month for players to gain a second or third chance.

Foxfooty.com.au has picked out several names, who have either been delisted or are facing an uncertain future, that deserve a look in for a lifeline as a delisted free agent.

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JACK MARTIN

It’s never been a question of talent with Martin, but rather his body. The oft-injured ex-Blue and Sun simply hasn’t been able to stay on the park, having played three, 13, 12, 11 and 15 games respectively over the last five seasons. If there’s a club that would be able to get the best of the 29-year old, however, it’s Geelong, with Martin reportedly opting to join the Cats over the Dockers as the forward looks to rejuvenate his career in the blue and white hoops. Hard to know if he’d fit into Geelong’s stacked forward line from Round 1, but at his best he could add another dimension to Chris Scott’s side.

TIM MEMBREY

While Membrey hasn’t been officially delisted by St Kilda yet, the out-of-contract forward’s medical at Collingwood and their intention to pick him up during the delisted free agency period says everything we need to do. His movement is essentially a done deal, according to Seven’s Mitch Cleary — with the three-time St Kilda leading goalkicker reportedly edging out his fellow Saints teammate Jack Hayes for a spot on the Pies’ list. While he’d appear to be behind the likes of Dan McStay, Brody Mihocek and Mason Cox, Membrey still has plenty to offer and could well force his way in the team. Membrey has been previously delisted before after two seasons at Sydney.

GARY ROHAN

The 33-year old is hoping to extend his career at a third club after being let go by the Cats following a 12-game season due to injury and form issues. He pushed to return in the Cats’ finals campaign only to suffer a fractured skull in a VFL semi-final that required surgery, with two dozen fractures to his head. The forward, who played 106 games for the Swans and 98 games for the Cats, has confirmed there’s no long-term consequences from his skull injury as he hopes to play on at another club in 2025. We know what he’s capable of at his best, having played a key role in Geelong’s 2022 flag triumph, it’s just a matter of whether any clubs out there are willing to take a punt on a player who turns 34 next year.

MATT TABERNER

The exiled Fremantle forward has proven many a time before that he is up to AFL standard. But undoubtedly his biggest hurdle right now, is his ability to stay on the park. In his 12-year career at the top level, only five times has he played 10 or more games in a season. A victim of both his own body and the rising star forwards in the Dockers’ attack, Taberner and the club parted ways last month. While uncertain on his future beyond 2024 and what it looks like, a recent premiership at Peel Thunder could tempt in to tasting the ultimate AFL success elsewhere, if the right suitor emerges.

DENVER GRAINGER-BARRAS

A mix of injury concerns and form issues cruelled the intercepting defender’s time at the Hawks. After being selected with Pick 6 in the 2020 National Draft, the Hawthorn faithful had high hopes for the athletic defender, but he couldn’t quite put it all together. The Western Australian has a strong appetite for the contest was always down the pecking order at Waverley Park — and would’ve only slid further with the arrivals of key defensive duo Tom Barrass and Josh Battle. ‘DGB’ was also trialled as a forward at Box Hill but failed to put together a long enough body of work to demand selection in Sam Mitchell’s senior side. Has been linked to Carlton as a possible delisted free agent to bolster their tall stocks.

CURTIS TAYLOR

The 24-year-old former Roo can be considered unlucky to be axed by the Kangas having played 76 games across six years at

the club. The high-flying Roo suffered a raft of injuries in his final year at the club limiting him to just eight senior appearances. He’s shown an ability to play as a half-forward or winger and his height and X-factor make him a tough matchup for opposition coaches. He’s already been linked to St Kilda as potential recruit as a delisted free agent.

JACK HAYES

The mature-aged tall is in limbo at the moment, currently without a contract for 2025. He hasn’t yet been let go by St Kilda, but surely he’ll be around the league next year? The mobile tall burst onto the scene at the start of 2022 before an ACL injury put a halt to a promising debut campaign. The South Australian has managed just three games in the past two seasons as he continues to deal with injury issues, but he’s shown that when fit, he can make a sizeable impact at AFL level. Was strongly linked to Collingwood in recent times but it seems as though they’ve settled on Hayes’ teammate, Tim Membrey, instead. Deserves a contract next year at an AFL club.

ADAM TOMLINSON

The former Melbourne utility is looking to land at a third AFL club after he was let go by the Dees after the trade period. The 31-year-old has the ability to play a variety of positions and has 13 years of AFL experience under his belt. The 185-gamer has had interest from St Kilda and Collingwood but appears more likely to land at St Kilda after Collingwood reportedly opted to target Tim Membrey instead. The Saints have lost Josh Battle this year and could do with some defensive reinforcements.

CALEB MARCHBANK

A fan favourite at the Blues, is a fresh start all Caleb Marchbank needs? The 27-year-old defender has been limited to just 63 games of senior football during his career having struggled to shake off injury issues during his stints at Carlton and the Giants. The former Murray Bushranger has shown a good ability to intercept mark and instigate forays forward but has been able to get himself fit enough to really have a crack at becoming a regular senior member under Blues coach Michael Voss. He’s obviously a big risk given his history, but if a club can somehow find a way to get him on the park he could be worth a look.

SAM WEIDEMAN

The former top 10 pick has shown promise throughout his career but never been able to establish himself at AFL level, with his 16 games at Essendon in his first season at the club in 2023 a personal best. The 27-year old, who played 59 games for the Demons from 2016 to 2022, was even moved into defence in the Bombers’ VFL team this year. But he never got a chance down back in the AFL side, playing one game in 2024. For clubs looking for some key position depth, he could be an option.

REEF MCINNES

Another one who hasn’t yet been officially delisted, if that happens the 194cm Magpie would be a very interesting proposition for rival clubs. And the fact the 20-gamer is still unsigned tells you he’s potentially gettable. Still only 21 years old, McInnes has shown flashes at Collingwood but never established himself in the senior side. It includes McInnes being predominantly played as a pseudo key forward at times this year — when he played a career-best nine games — despite having the capacity to play other roles and push up the ground. The Pies were big on him when he first joined them via the Next Generation Academy with Pick 23 in the 2020 National Draft, but he just hasn’t found a role at AFL level.

BRANDAN PARFITT

Probably the best midfielder on the market. Just two years ago Parfitt played in a premiership for the Cats but fell out of favour since, making nine appearances in each of the last two seasons as the likes of Tanner Bruhn and Jack Bowes went past him. Still only 26 years old, the 130-gamer could be of interest to a club looking to add midfield depth and wanting mature body that can play inside the contest, even if most clubs are stacked with on-ball options as is.