Delisted Richmond youngster Sydney Stack is "preparing to be an AFL player in 2023" as he continues to assess his options for the future of his professional football career.
Stack was among a quartet of Tigers players not offered new deals for next season, with the Western Australian utility arguably the most surprising axing from this year's list of departures across the competition.
The 22-year-old saw his time at Punt Road come to a close after four seasons and 35 games, with his final year at the club amassing just two appearances at AFL level.
Despite the limited exposure in 2022, Stack firms as a strong chance to extend his AFL career beyond this year, continuing talks with clubs in hope of a lifeline.
“He is preparing to be an AFL player in 2023. So hopefully someone steps forward and provides him with an opportunity. He's pretty open to going anywhere for a chance,” Stack's manager Paul Peos told News Corp.
“He has had some pretty good discussions with teams so hopefully that progresses forward.
“On a list of 40 it's a pretty low financial risk and clubs would be weighing up the pros and cons.
“Sydney has been through some tough periods but he's certainly learned some lessons.”
According to The Herald Sun, Stack has gained some level of interest from multiple AFL clubs ahead of the opening of the delisted free agency period, with Gold Coast among the list of potential suitors.
Stack could remain without a club after the November 15 deadline for delisted free agency, looming as a chance to join an AFL club as a pre-season Supplemental Selection Period recruit for the second time in his career.
The Perth product has returned to his home state of Western Australia to continue training to stay in shape should a lifeline arise, however a spot on either Fremantle or West Coast's list is seen as unlikely.
Stack is among the leading options within the delisted free agent pool, joining former Blue Liam Stocker, ex-Roo and Hawk Jed Anderson, departed Bulldog Mitch Wallis and axed Adelaide forward James Rowe in being placed without a home.
Delisted free agency opens on Thursday, November 3 and will run until Tuesday, November 15 - including a one-day break for list lodgement on November 10.
