All-Australians Brendan Fevola and Leon Davis lead the group of AFL players unable to find new clubs through the pre-season and rookie drafts.
The AFL careers of the two 30-year-olds effectively came to an end on Tuesday when, as expected, no clubs would give them a last chance.
Fevola is a two-time Coleman Medallist and one of his generation’s most talented key forwards, but a long history of off-field indiscretions ruined his career.
Davis walked out on Collingwood at the end of this season, when he won his second All-Australian selection after reinventing himself as a defender.
He wanted to return to WA and is likely to play next year in the WAFL.
Other notable names who had nominated and did not find new AFL homes included former Fremantle and Collingwood small forward Paul Medhurst and controversial Essendon and St Kilda onballer Andrew Lovett.
The Saints sacked Lovett before he had played a game last year, after he was charged with rape.
Lovett was later found not guilty of the charge.
The biggest surprise of the pre-season draft was Port Adelaide picking up former Collingwood midfielder John McCarthy.
Port had the pick before Richmond, who were expected to go with McCarthy.
As expected, Fremantle used their pre-season draft pick, on former St Kilda defender Zac Dawson.
West Coast have also given former Collingwood small forward Brad Dick another shot at the AFL.
Dick had a shocking run of injuries in his time at Collingwood and the Eagles used their last rookie draft pick at 68 to sign him.
There was speculation that Gavin Urquhart would go to Port Adelaide, but North Melbourne retained him late in the rookie draft.
Other AFL players who will go to new clubs through the rookie draft include former Adelaide and Carlton player Darren Pfeiffer, now at Port Adelaide.
Gold Coast picked former St Kilda onballer Andrew McQualter and Richmond recruited ex-Melbourne forward Addam Maric.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Agreed.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Yeh, I agree, doesn't make any sense to me either.
Lachlan
Roar Guru
What astound's me is that GWS didn't get Paul Bevan. Paul Bevan is a premiership player and was extremely unlucky to be delisted by the swans this year. He is a tough-nut, who will go hard for the ball and he has planty more to offer. Why wouldn't they get him, a bonus being he lived in Sydney, but now he signed with Perth Demons. Huge disappointment on their behalf.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
But that wouldn't be a concern to clubs like Port and GWS.
Oracle
Guest
Don't forget Neon Leon's proven ability to go missing in September
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
JamesP, Because he said he'd only play four four clubs, and wanted much more than league minimum.
stabpass
Guest
Yep, missed that one.
JamesP
Guest
And this guy called Newell to the Lions via the NSW scholarship program...great athlete - maybe they can make a Koutoufides out of him... :) http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/127209/default.aspx
JamesP
Guest
Not a Collingwood fan by any stretch but how on earth is Leon Davis not at a club this year? There are many many worse players on AFL lists - many older than Leon. Probably just a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Should have gone to Freo but Ross Lyon wanted his love child Zac Dawson to join him (classic example of an AFL listed player who does not belong there)
The Cattery
Roar Guru
I read in the Age today that the dogs have rookie-listed an 18 year old kid whose parents are Taiwanese and Timorese, which is an interesting background. Only been playing the game for 4 years, was very lucky to make the Oakleigh U18s list, was a poor kick, but had elite level athleticism. He's listed as a 189cm midfileder, which are Chris Judd dimensions.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
NF we all know it's pretty small in Townsville, but all the more incredible that a bloke has been drafted from there - that's precisely what makes it noteworthy.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Stabpass, The frontloading will pay off in 2013 and 2014 when the about 16 first rounders need to be re-signed. In any case, Melbourne made a serious run at keeping him, offering him about $600k a year - a lowball offer wouldnt have got him, which would have left you cackling that GWS cant hire anyone at all.
NF
Guest
stabpass Living in Townsville it is league central there the occasional AFL post here and there in particular at the Riverway other than that it's pretty small 4 senior teams.
stabpass
Guest
I think they have ridicuously overspent on whatshisname ...... Oh thats right, Scully !!
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Cattery, I agree. Even if they are minimum wage guys, having some older bodies from the VFL etc would have been the right call. Interestingly, thats what Sheedy said too - here is one of many articles http://www.bet365.com/news/en/betting/aussie-rules/sheedy-to-be-patient-with-draft-picks
stabpass
Guest
A couple of firsts in this years rookie draft, GC drafted a guy from Curra Swans Townsville, who by all accounts is a great athlete (high jumper) Josh Hall at 94, only 4 senior teams in Townsville, not many AFL players to come out of Townsville, if any ?. Carlton drafted MATTHEW LODGE Defender, 18, 186cm, 85kg (Byron Bay Magpies), who surely must be the first player drafted from Byron Bay, overlooked by NSW and QLD clubs. Hawthorn drafted AMOS FRANK Ruck-rover, 23, 169cm, 70kg, Frank yesterday became the first man from the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands, in South Australia's far north, to join the AFL, English is not his native toungue. Nice story, hope he makes it. http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/near-and-far-small-and-tall-recruits-for-hawks-20111213-1ot6s.html
Richard
Roar Guru
I've enjoyed watching all four 'Pies players immensely, especially Leon and Medhurst. They'll be missed but good luck to them in their new lives. Leon, Paul, Brad, Johnno, sorry to see you go but good luck guys! I see Fevola is going to the USA to try out as a punter. Based on his history, he's a natural.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
I can't work it out, when I thought they needed more mature bodies than what Gold Coast had, GWS is effectively going into its first season with fewer mature bodies - because their biggest picks are 21 year olds, then they have a few big bodies at the opposite end of the age bracket, and very, very little in the 21 to 29 range.
mds1970
Roar Guru
Interesting that GWS passed on all their pre-season draft picks and only took one rookie. Not sure whether they're sailing close to the wind on the salary cap (having to include Tom Scully's father's payments as a recruiter within the cap may have cost a young player an AFL career) or if they're keeping aces up their sleeves for future drafts; but it does give the Giants a smaller list than many other clubs.