Six AFL clubs currently hold vacant list spots over a month out from the 2023 Mid-Season Draft, with more set to assess their options and potentially open spots closer to the count.

After opting not to sign Supplemental Selection Period train and trial players, Hawthorn, Essendon and Fremantle all held list spots open heading into the home and away season, while Geelong and the Western Bulldogs also had one vacancy each following last year's Rookie Draft.

Clubs are able to open list spots by moving injured players to their inactive list, a manoeuvre Carlton utilised during the pre-season to sign Alex Cincotta and Hudson O'Keeffe after long-term setbacks for Zac Williams and Sam Philp.

Collingwood swooped on former Tiger and Sun Oleg Markov after moving uncapped backman Charlie Dean to their long-term injury list, while the Bombers trialled a handful of train and trial options over the pre-season as draftee Jayden Davey joined the club already sidelined after an ACL injury sustained early last year.

Opting not to add to their list, Essendon could look to continue their strong mid-season recruitment this year after signing the likes of Sam Durham, Jye Menzie and Massimo D'Ambrosio in recent years.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 14: Sam Durham of the Bombers is tackled by Jye Menzie of the Bombers during an Essendon Bombers AFL training session at The Hangar on December 14, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Richmond are another that holds a list spot free, with the retirement of Jason Castagna in February creating a sole list vacancy at Punt Road.

Several other clubs with players sidelined for extended periods will begin to consider their options for the Mid-Season Draft, with both GWS and North Melbourne among those that have players sidelined for the rest of the season.

Giants youngster Darcy Jones and Kangaroos rookie Brayden George are both recovering from ACL injuries that will keep the teenage pair off the field for the remainder of the year.

St Kilda pair Jack Hayes and Matt Allison are both containing to nurse foot injuries sustained in the pre-season, with Hayes still facing up to 12 weeks on the sidelines while Allison is expected to be in recovery for longer and is listed as indefinite alongside Dan McKenzie (calf) and Angus McLennan (back).

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 21: Matthew Allison of the Saints kicks during a St Kilda Saints AFL training session at RSEA Park on November 21, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

West Coast have a plethora of players not near returns, with Nic Naitanui set to miss the opening half of this season with an Achilles issue, while Jeremy McGovern could miss most of the year with a recent hamstring injury.

Melbourne youngster Will Verrall is facing up to nine weeks away from a return as he deals with a pelvis issue, with the Demons nursing the first-year tall back to fitness.

The Mid-Season Draft is flagged to take place in late May, according to AFL.com, falling between Rounds 11 and 12.