Jack Trengove’s tumultuous AFL career looks over after Melbourne delisted him.
The former Demons captain only managed two senior games this year and seven over the last four seasons, thanks to a serious foot injury that needed two operations.
Melbourne also cut ruckman Jake Spencer on Tuesday, along with Liam Hulett and rookie Mitch White.
Trengove was the No.2 pick in the 2009 draft and played 86 games in eight seasons with the Demons.
In 2012, new coach Mark Neeld made the controversial decision to make Trengove and Jack Grimes co-captains.
At 20, Trengove was the youngest captain in the game’s history and he stayed in the post for two seasons.
He suffered a navicular bone fracture in 2014 and missed all the 2015 season.
Trengove nearly joined Richmond at the end of 2014, but the injury meant the move did not go ahead.
He is a highly-respected figure at Melbourne and there was plenty of goodwill for his AFL comeback last season.
“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,” said Demons football manager Josh Mahoney.
Meanwhile, utility Ryan Harwood leads five delistings at Brisbane.
The Lions also cut Jarrad Jansen, Jonathan Freeman, Josh Clayton and rookie-listed player Blake Grewar.
But the manager of No.2 draft pick Josh Schache has said the key forward will not request a trade.
There was more speculation about Schache’s future when he did not play for the club in the NEAFL grand final and instead returned to Victoria, his home state.
But manager Dave Trotter told Fairfax that Schache is very happy at the Lions.
Harwood had played 81 games since his 2010 and has struggled with injuries.
A badly-cut foot meant he did not play senior football after round 13 this season.
Also on Tuesday, Collingwood announced that Tyson Goldsack had signed a one-year contract extension.
The 30-year-old is coming off one of the best seasons of his career and has played 151 games for the Magpies.
Ditto
Guest
I wouldn't be adverse to the idea of Adelaide picking him up, he's by all accounts been good in the VFL, rookie list him, maybe make him captain of the SANFL side, he'd probably be coming back to SA anyway. Worth a shot.
Gecko
Guest
Neeld's decision was certainly a bad one for the club and for those two players but agreed that wasn't the main factor in the demise of Trengove and Grimes.
truetigerfan
Guest
Sad end for Jack Trengove. Great player and quality bloke. Would have loved him in Tiger colours at his best. Good luck, Jack!
Conor
Roar Guru
Agree with Liam Hulett and Mitch White's delisting, Jack Trengove I feel sorry for, his career was ruined by his foot injury, and Jake Spencer was very unlucky and I don't think he should have been. It leaves their ruck stocks very thin with Max Gawn, Cam Pedersen, Mitch King, and Lachie Flipovic. Leaves them very thin if they have a horrible run in the ruck injuries again next year. They'll need to recruit one of two back-up ruckmen for sure
Don Freo
Guest
The injury was Trengove's issue, not shattered confidence. Poor Neeld gets blamed for everything. If he had that kind of influence, he'd still be the boss.
David C
Guest
Mark Neeld destroyed Trengove's and Grime's careers by making them captains before they were ready. They should have been allowed to concentrate on their football early in their careers.