13 ex-AFL players have already signed up for this year's Mid-Season Rookie Draft, which has already received over 300 applicants, perย AFL Media.

This year's count, which will take place on June 2, will be the second of its kind after the inaugural draft took place in 2019.

That draft included the likes of Marlion Pickett (Richmond), Will Snelling (Essendon), Ryan Gardner (Western Bulldogs) and John Noble (Collingwood) - who have all had respective impacts at their clubs.

In 2021, nine clubs currently share a total of 13 available list spots for the Mid-Season Draft, while other clubs will be able to free up positions should they move senior players to the long-term injury list.

Headlining this year's early batch of AFL hopefuls is former St Kilda forward Patrick McCartin.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 29: Paddy McCartin of the Saints in action during a St Kilda Saints AFL training session at RSEA Park on November 29, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)

McCartin was forced into an early retirement in 2019 duo to ongoing concussion issues and is looking to resurrect his career as he plies his trade with the Sydney Swans' VFL side.

Former Collingwood and Adelaide forward Ben Crocker, axed Cat/Power tall Wylie Buzza and former Bombers key-position player Josh Begley are also in the mix for a lifeline.

Crocker has flourished in the VFL this season with Carlton's reserves, while Begley has been a standout for Frankston early into the new-look competition.

Many more former AFL names are set to apply for the Mid-Season Draft prior to the May 25 deadline, with former Saints and Magpies midfielder Nathan Freeman also set to gain plenty of attention.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 18: Nathan Freeman of the Saints in action during an AFL media opportunity at RSEA Park on July 18, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Similar to McCartin, Freeman was a top 10 draft selection and had his short AFL career plagued by injuries.

Freeman has joined Begley at Frankston and has is currently averaging 40.5 disposals in his opening month at the Dolphins.

Former Adelaide trio Tyson Stengle, Riley Knight and Jordan Gallucci are also expected to put their names into selection for the draft.

Former AFL players to have already applied for the Mid-Season Draft:

Ben Crocker
Patrick McCartin
Wylie Buzza
Luke Partington
Ben Silvagni
Josh Begley
Darcy Lang
Harrison Macreadie
Kym LeBois
Declan Mountford
Ryley Stoddart
Toby Wooller
Michael Knoll

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