The delisted free agent your club should be targeting

Today marks the first day of the delisted free agency period, with clubs now having the opportunity to sign uncontracted players from November 3 until November 9, before another opportunity from November 11 to November 15. It remains a somewhat rare occurrence, but nonetheless, an opportunity to pick up players ahead of the draft with little to no cost could be what most clubs are looking for. We take a look at one delisted free agent that each club could be interested in taking. Adelaide James Cousins The Crows' midfield is overloaded with inside onballers and would welcome some outside polish and speed. They also need another player who can push forward and connect with the forward line, having let Tom Lynch go. They had the worst kick rating and the third-worst kicking efficiency in the AFL this year. James Cousins, who was delisted by the Hawks after 35 games, will be looking for a chance to provide more midfield depth to other clubs that may need it. The 23-year-old performed well for Hawthorn as a smooth and pacey player when given the opportunity. https://twitter.com/AFL/status/1406519404242771973 Brisbane Marty Hore After falling just short on numerous occasions in tight finals, the Lions will be looking to improve their defensive rebound - at the contest and behind the ball. More dynamic options off half-back could be the answer. Or maybe another general defender. [caption id="attachment_27612" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 09: Marty Hore of the Demons handballs during the 2019 JLT Community Series AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the Brisbane Lions at Casey Fields on March 09, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)[/caption] A left-field option could be luckless Demon Marty Hore, who has very good offensive skills off half-back. Injuries have kept him out of action for two seasons, but his 2019 VFL campaign was promising. Lions defenders Daniel Rich (31), Ryan Lester (29) and the retired Grant Birchall (33) outline the need for youthful defenders. Carlton Connor Ballenden Carlton's focus must lie in building its defensive depth and integrity. But they also need to recruit a backup ruckman. If Tom de Koning or Marc Pittonet succumb to an injury then there are few options left. Carlton could pick up 22-year-old Connor Ballenden, who was delisted by Brisbane after just three career games at the club. https://twitter.com/AFL/status/1289166971431342080 The Lions have tentatively offered Ballenden a deal to play in the VFL if he fails to find another AFL home. Collingwood Patrick Naish Patrick Naish has already been linked to the Magpies, per AFL Media reports. The 22-year-old has played just nine games in the senior side at Richmond, before being delisted. Naish is a hard runner with exceptional foot skills, averaging 29 disposals per game in the VFL for the Tigers. His exceptional form in the VFL was under the coaching of Craig McRae, who of course now heads the Collingwood senior side. https://twitter.com/7VFL/status/1129932068568178688 As a midfielder/forward, Naish's ability to provide attacking options by foot inside 50 will be welcomed by the Pies, as they were ranked last in the competition for total inside 50s. Essendon Levi Casboult The Bombers are in a desperate search for a key forward, with Cale Hooker also retiring this year. They were near the bottom of the competition for contested marks inside 50 and will seek to fill a void in the forward line ahead of the 2022 season. Levi Casboult poses as a potential option for the Bombers with this year's draft not necessarily full of tall goalkickers. He can also chop out in the ruck. As one of the best contested marks in the competition, he played 154 games for Carlton, but his form remained patchy. [caption id="attachment_42270" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 27: Levi Casboult of the Blues runs with the ball during the round 4 AFL match between the Essendon Bombers and the Carlton Blues at Melbourne Cricket Ground on June 27, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)[/caption] Gold Coast are set to pick him up in the Rookie Draft unless he is taken as a delisted free agent by another club, calling forth Essendon's chance. Fremantle Jack Lonie While Fremantle do need to add a potent tall to their list, a smaller player with pace and skill will also address two of the club's pitfalls. Fremantle were ranked just 15th in the competition for points scored, and they have the most inaccurate goal conversion rate. Small forward Jack Lonie was delisted by the Saints and is a highly skilful player, having owned the best short kick at St Kilda. [caption id="attachment_24622" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 19: Jack Lonie of the Saints is congratulated by his teammates after kicking a goal during the round nine AFL match between the St Kilda Saints and the Collingwood Magpies at Etihad Stadium on May 19, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)[/caption] His relentless pressure and pace inside the forward 50 is superb, but he fell out of favour in the side as the Saints recruited other small forwards. Geelong Tyson Stengle The Cats look poised to pick up Tyson Stengle for the 2022 season. Geelong would be Stengle's third AFL club, after previously playing 14 games for Adelaide, and two for Richmond. Unwanted by the Crows, Stengle resorted to playing for Woodville-West Torrens in the SANFL this year. [caption id="attachment_71689" align="alignnone" width="1024"] ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 19: Tyson Stengle of the Crows competes with Bachar Houli of the Tigers during the round 18 AFL match between the Adelaide Crows and the Richmond Tigers at Adelaide Oval on September 19, 2020 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)[/caption] There he proved his ability to impact the game and hit the scoreboard consistently, finishing the season with 44 goals at 2.5 per game. As a result, he's destined to bolster Geelong's small forward stocks, which currently houses an ageing Gary Rohan and Luke Dalhaus. Geelong list manager Stephen Wells said “we’d be pleased if Tyson ended up with Geelong". Gold Coast Levi Casboult The Suns require another tall. They ranked last in the competition for defensive one-on-one contests, relying too heavily on Sam Collins. Captain and ruckman Jarrod Witts was injured for a large chunk of the season and Zac Smith has retired. Gold Coast have already indicated their intentions to take Levi Casboult in the Rookie Draft if he still remains out of contract. Ben King led the Suns' goal kicking tally this season with 47 goals. Another 20 goals from Casboult would go a long way. The Suns also struggle to manufacture veteran leadership and Casboult's forward presence could aid their cause. Greater Western Sydney Jarrod Brander GWS are the first club to confirm a recruit from the pile of delisted free agents, making it unlikely that they will look elsewhere for more. Brander played 22 games at West Coast (11 this season), but coach Adam Simpson often didn’t know where to play him. He was a victim of his own versatility. https://twitter.com/zerohanger/status/1455713599339393024 Although, the versatility of his game has been attractive for the Giants, who have a stack of players who can play in multiple positions. At just 22 years old, he may have a long future ahead with GWS. As a former GIANTS Academy member, Brander will in effect be returning home. Hawthorn Michael Gibbons Midfielders are a high priority for the Hawks. Liam Shiels, Tom Mitchell and Jaeger O'Meara still need backup support in the midfield. The Hawks were second-last for scoring from stoppages this year, begging the need for outside midfield skills to support the aforementioned inside ball-winners. The Hawks could pick up Michael Gibbons after he was delisted from Carlton - being told he was a midfielder. [caption id="attachment_57632" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 02: Michael Gibbons of the Blues celebrates after scoring a goal during the round 5 AFL match between the Carlton Blues and the St Kilda Saints at Marvel Stadium on July 02, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)[/caption] He played 47 games for the Blues in the forward line but dominated as the midfielder in the VFL. Melbourne Jarrod Lienert It's difficult to find gaps in the premiers' list, but key position players at either end of the ground may be needed to bolster their reserves. The Dees don't have too much down back if Steven May, Jake Lever or Harrison Petty get injured. Jarrod Lienert, who was delisted by Port Adelaide, remains a feasible key defensive option. The 27-year-old played 23 games across four seasons at the Power https://twitter.com/AFL/status/1406111526147162118 North Melbourne Oliver Hanrahan With Nick Larkey, Callum Coleman-Jones and Cam Zurhaar, the Kangaroos key position goalkickers suffice. However, they lack a smaller forward at ground level. They ranked last in the competition for scores from inside 50 entries, as well as last for snap-shot attempts at goal. Oliver Hanrahan, who has found himself delisted from the Hawks, could provide that spark. He played 13 games this season but has been asked to move on with new senior coach Sam Mitchell at the helm. https://twitter.com/HawthornFC/status/1448759018655137795 Two years ago he was Hawthorn's best first-year player, and at just 23 years of age he would fit well into David Noble's side. Port Adelaide Trent Dumont Having recruited well in recent years, Port Adelaide have their list well-covered but do have scope to recruit a specialist wingman. Earlier in the year it was revealed that the Power may be interested in Trent Dumont. Dumont's services as a wingman would complement Port Adelaide's premiership-contending midfield group with plenty of outside flair. Dumont is the ex-vice-captain of North and at 26 years old, he has plenty of footy left. He played 113 games at the Kangaroos and clearly remains an AFL-standard player. [player_widget player_id='trent-dumont' season='2021' stats='Disposals,Tackles,Clearances' position="Midfielder"] Dumont's home state is South Australia, where he has sought a trade in the past. Richmond Charlie Constable Richmond's midfield is ageing. Shane Edwards, Trent Cotchin, Dustin Martin and Kane Lambert will all be over 30 by Round 1 next season. Charlie Constable is just 22 years old, and was a shock delisting by the Cats. He did play three games earlier in the year (12 career games in total), but mainly found himself completely dominating the VFL this season. https://twitter.com/ThePhantomSC/status/1448539638121988100?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1448539638121988100%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.adelaidenow.com.au%2Fsport%2Fafl%2Fafl-2021-the-players-who-could-find-new-homes-in-the-delisted-free-agency-period%2Fnews-story%2F61056701a3185fa7a644785f9e694045 Richmond have form in picking up stars at relative ease - just think Dion Prestia, Tom Lynch and Toby Nankervis' ahead of the 2017 flag. St Kilda Tom Campbell With backup ruckman Paul Hunter not offered a new deal, St Kilda may be on the lookout for bolstering their ruck stocks. After Jack Lonie was told he would no longer have a deal at the Saints, it's unlikely they would target another smaller forward type player. St Kilda are reportedly focusing on securing Tom Campbell's services after he was delisted by the Kangaroos. He has played 54 AFL games - 42 at the Western Bulldogs and 12 with North Melbourne. [player_widget player_id='tom-campbell' season='2021' stats='Hitouts,Marks,Disposals' position="Ruck"] It'd be a low-risk option to maintain Max King playing most of his minutes in the forward line if more senior ruck options Rowan Marshall and Paddy Ryder are out of action. Although, the Saints are the second oldest side in the competition and Campbell is 30 years old. Sydney Aaron vandenBerg Aaron vandenBerg would bring more power to the midfield/forward group at Sydney, given the departures of George Hewett and Jordan Dawson. As a gritty, hardened midfielder, he'd fit right into Sydney's club culture and impart intel from being at the Demons during their rise. Aaron vandenBerg was a reliable performer at Melbourne, but fell victim to being in one of the strongest squads in the competition, and managed just 21 games before being delisted. [caption id="attachment_27693" align="alignnone" width="1024"] PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 22: Aaron VandenBerg of the Demons fends off Will Schofield of the Eagles during the AFL Prelimary Final match between the West Coast Eagles and the Melbourne Demons on September 22, 2018 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] VandenBerg also hails from the South Coast of New South Wales, and has previously played in for Ainslie (based in Canberra) in the NEAFL. West Coast Eagles Brayden Sier With an older squad that houses a dozen players over 29 years old, the Eagles regeneration should come by way of youth - and the most obvious path for that is through the National Draft. But delisted Magpie Brayden Sier may be an attractive option as a ready-made, big-bodied, young player (23 years old). Sier is hoping for more opportunities after playing just seven games this season and could thrive elsewhere. [caption id="attachment_33536" align="alignnone" width="1024"] PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JULY 12: Brayden Sier of the Magpies kicks the ball during the 2019 AFL round 17 match between the West Coast Eagles and the Collingwood Magpies at Optus Stadium on July 12, 2019 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)[/caption] He's played a total of 27 career games for the Magpies over six seasons. Western Bulldogs Taylin Duman The Western Bulldogs have a very sound list. After a successful season, there should be no knee-jerk reactions to the Grand Final loss. Their midfield is stacked, but the stocks down back may need topping up. Alex Keath is in the top bracket of key defenders in the competition, alongside Zaine Cordy and Ryan Gardner who are solid contributors. But more help may be needed against the best key forwards in the competition. Taylin Duman could be a cheap pickup to aid the Dogs' defensive reserves after being delisted from Fremantle. Duman played 45 games over four seasons with the Dockers.

The delisted free agent your club should be targeting

Which uncontracted player would you like to see joining your club?

Sydney

Aaron vandenBerg

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		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	COLL	19	15	4	60	135
2	ADEL	19	14	5	56	146
3	BL	19	13	5	54	110.8
4	GEEL	19	13	6	52	134.2
5	HAW	19	13	6	52	119.9
6	FRE	19	13	6	52	111.7
7	GWS	20	13	7	52	111.3
8	WB	20	12	8	48	137.3