Nine AFL clubs still have at least one list opening only three weeks out from round 1 after Essendon became the latest club to finalise its squad.
The deadline to sign players via the pre-season supplemental selection period is a week earlier, on March 9, but teams have the option of waiting until the mid-season draft if they wish.
The Bombers signed Tex Wanganeen and Nick Martin to fill their quota on Wednesday.
Brisbane, Carlton, Fremantle, Geelong, Hawthorn, North Melbourne, Sydney and West Coast have one spot available each, while St Kilda can sign two players.
Clubs can place players on the inactive list to create further list spots because of a long-term injury, retirement or when a footballer chooses not to be vaccinated against Covid-19, such as Brisbane’s Cam Ellis-Yolmen.
The Lions moved Ellis-Yolmen to the inactive list in January and are eyeing Williamstown and former Frankston onballer Mitch Cox to replace him.
Ex-Power defender Jarrod Lienert and Woodville-West Torrens star Jack Hayes, who won the Jack Oatey Medal as best afield in last year’s SANFL grand final, played in the Saints’ practice game against Carlton on Thursday.
Former Tiger Patrick Naish is vying with Lienert and Hayes for St Kilda’s two vacancies. Hayes is tipped to score one of them.
None of the Blues’ train-on footballers were selected, with Josh Cripps – brother of captain Patrick – and Michael Lewis in the VFL squad instead.
Marty Hore, who Melbourne delisted last year after playing 14 games, is training with the Kangaroos but is expected to be a VFL option only.
Ex-Crow Tom Lynch has joined North Melbourne as a development coach but could fill the club’s final playing spot at some stage.
Neither the Hawks nor Cats have anyone officially training with them, but Hawthorn rotated a series of VFL affiliate Box Hill players throughout the pre-season.
The Dockers have received the green light for WAFL quartet Lachie Cullen, Luke Polson, Bailey Rodgers and Blake Schlensog to train with them after Luke Valente’s retirement was finalised.
There is fascination around what the Eagles do, given the increasing likelihood that Jack Darling, who hasn’t been vaccinated against Covid-19, won’t be available.
Darling going onto the inactive list would give West Coast a second opening and it is also dealing with several injuries.
West Perth goalkicker Tyler Keitel and ex-Docker Hugh Dixon loom as candidates if that happens, while ruckman Luke Strnadica, midfielder Tom Blechynden and defender Toby McQuilkin are other options.
Paddy McCartin (Sydney) and James Tsitas (Gold Coast) are the only players so far, besides the new Essendon duo, to sign via the SSP ahead of the season.
AFL TRAIN-ON LIST
Brisbane: Mitch Cox (Williamstown)
Carlton: Josh Cripps (East Fremantle), Michael Lewis (Sandringham), Tyreece Leiu (Eastern Ranges)
Fremantle: Lachie Cullen (Peel Thunder), Luke Polson (Peel Thunder), Bailey Rodgers (Claremont), Blake Schlensog (South Fremantle)
North Melbourne: Marty Hore (Melbourne)
St Kilda: Jack Hayes (Woodville-West Torrens), Jarrod Lienert (Sturt), Patrick Naish (Norwood)
West Coast: Tom Blechynden (South Fremantle), Hugh Dixon (East Fremantle), Tyler Keitel (West Perth), Toby McQuilkin (South Fremantle), Luke Strnadica (East Fremantle)
