2003 AFL Team List Changes


Only three days to the new (pre) season comp, with many ridiculous new
rules and new players (hopefully non-ridiculous). A perfect time to
peruse your club's personnel turnover.


Adelaide.


Off:
Bryan Beinke - retired
Kane Johnson - traded to Richmond along with draft picks 12, 28 and 41
for Torney and draft picks 2, 18 and 32. Picks 2 and 18 on-traded to
North for Carey.
Ben Finnin - traded to Geelong for Burns.
Evan Hewitt - delisted
Ryan Fitzgerald - delisted
Matthew Shir - delisted. Rookie-drafted by Richmond.
Hayden Skipworth - demoted to rookie list.
Laurence Angwin - delisted. Rookie-drafted by Carlton.
Michael Handby - delisted


On:
Wayne Carey (North Melbourne). Whether it's giving an ailing woman heart
massage, assisting a distressed team-mate's wife in the bathroom or
rescuing a drowning woman from a spa-bath, Wayne's misunderstood heroism
shows no signs of abating. The Camrys traded homesick Vic Johnson and
three draft picks in a three-way deal for Carey.


Jason Torney (Richmond). Gutsy, speedy defender who can't mark or kick
very well, unfortunately. Usually picks up opposition small forwards -
Phil Matera and the like. A croweater by birth, he's played 117 games
including all 22 last year.


Ronnie Burns (Geelong). Ayresey coached Ronnie at Geelong of course, and
has recruited Little Ron to Aderlayed to crumb to Big Wayne in his new
vision for the Camrys' forward-line. Burns is a terrific goalsneak on
his day but wasn't so good last year, just 17 goals in 21 games.


Martin Mattner (Rookie list). Hard-tackling wingman elevated from rookie
list after some pleasing efforts in the seniors last season.


Ben Rutten (Rookie list). Young key forward who played in last year's
pre-season comp, but didn't make a home-and-away appearance. Must've
done alright for West Adelaide.


Nathan Bock (Rookie list). Midfielder also without a senior appearance
to date.


Luke Jericho (West Adelaide, draft pick 32). Not a lot of draft action
for the Camrys, following the Carey deal. Jericho is a spring-heeled
utility player, reasonable height at 190cm. Played for SA in the
National U-18 Champs.


James Begley (St. Kilda, draft pick 68). Handy 22-year-old half-back
flank whose career has been curtailed by a series of shoulder injuries.
From Adelaide originally, played 28 games.


Rookie list:
Hayden Skipworth.
Jason Porplyzia (West Adelaide).
Aidan Parker (Subiaco). First non-SA player on Camrys' rookie list.
Michael Bratton (Norwood).


Brisbane


Off:
Des Headland - refused new contract, traded to Fremantle for draft picks
3 and 19.
Damien Cupido - traded as part of Headland deal, along with draft pick
15 to Essendon for Caracella.
Craig Bolton - delisted. Pre-season drafted by Sydney.
Nathan Clarke - delisted
Luke Hammond - delisted
Michael Martin - delisted


On:
Blake Caracella (Essendon). Skinny half-forward usually found alone in
acres of space and he kicks goals too. Played in Dons' flag-winning 2000
team but last year Caracella wasn't so good, culminating in two poor
missed shots for goal late in semi-final loss to Port. Offered one of
Caracella, Blumfield or Heffernan, Matthews went for Caracella because
"he's the only one of those three we ever tagged."


Jared Brennan (Southern Districts (NT), draft pick 3). Flashy, speedy,
leaping left-footer who reminds of Camry Brett Burton. Needless to say,
an U-18 All-Australian. Pretty happy to be going to his 'local' club.


Troy Selwood (Bendigo Pioneers, draft pick 19). Hard-working midfielder
who excelled in endurance trials at draft camp. Also an U-18
All-Australian, runner-up in Pioneers' B&F. Twin brother Adam drafted by
the Weegles.


Daniel Merrett (Southport (Qld), draft pick 30). 17-y-o ruckman who
switched from rugby union a year ago. Made Queensland U-18 side, took
plenty of marks. No relation to Roger.


Anthony Corrie (Nightcliff (Qld), draft pick 44). Small defender who won
Harrison Medal for best player in the National U-18 Champs not from
Victoria, SA or WA. Smart and a good kick, apparently.


Rookie list:
Nick Raines. Son of Geoff. Second year on.
Luke Weller. Second year on.
Daniel Pratt (North Melbourne). Big man with some senior experience.
Kevin Tandogac (Southport).
Joel McDonald (Mt Gravatt).
Paul Shelton (Morningside).


Carlton


Off:
Craig Bradley - retired
Michael Mansfield - retired
Ang Christou - delisted
David Gallagher - delisted
Adam Pickering - delisted. Rookie-drafted by Richmond.
Trent Hotton - delisted
Lindsay Smith - delisted
Sam Cranage - delisted
Sean O'Keeffe - demoted to rookie list.


On:
Barnaby French (Port Adelaide). If Blue fans thought it couldn't get any
worse than winning the wooden spoon, they were in for a nasty shock.
Salary-cap breaches punished heavily, massive debts, club in-fighting,
woe all-around. Before all that, the Blues managed to trade their intact
second-round draft pick to obtain French. He's a decent ruckman who
battled back from a twice-broken leg in 2001 to miss just one game last
year. Spent much time on the bench, though.


Bret Thornton (Rookie list). Aggressive backman whose senior efforts
were one of the few bright spots for the Bluies last year.


Adam Mathews (Rookie list). Ruckman who was drafted in 2000 but demoted
to the rookie list at the end of 2001. Gets a recall now after some
senior appearances last season.


Kade Simpson (Emerald, draft pick 45). The Blues were stripped of four
draft picks (1, 2, 31 and 34) for salary cap breaches, leaving them very
little in the draft. Simpson is a paper-thin winger who reminds very
much of a young Matty Lappin (insert bourbon joke here). Played for TAC
Cup premiers Eastern Ranges and gained U-18 All-Australian selection.


Cameron Croad (Vermont, draft pick 60). The Long and Winding Croad.
Younger brother of Trent, similar build and plays in a pretty similar
matter, by all accounts.


Bradley Fisher (East Burwood, draft pick 72). Tall, lanky forward. Also
played for TAC Cup side Eastern Ranges in 2002.


Karl Norman (Wangaratta Rovers, draft pick 79). 19-year-old, played
centre half-back for the Rovers. Not much else known about him.


Mick Martyn (North Melbourne, draft pick 84). "You need a gorilla to
play on gorillas," was coach Denis Pagan's reasoning for throwing a
lifeline to the creaky 34-year-old full-back. More likely Mick was all
the Blues could afford. He needs 13 games to reach 300.


Rookie list:
Sean O'Keefe.
Jonathon McCormack (Murray Kangaroos).
Laurence Angwin (Adelaide/Box Hill Hawks). Ruckman, the Camrys'
first-round draft pick in 2000 has been plagued by injuries and
off-field problems.
Mark McKenzie (Port Adelaide (SANFL)).
Tom Hedge (Mitcham).
Michael Stinear (Dandenong Stingrays).


Collingwood


Off:
Chad Rintoul - retired
Scott Cummings - retired
Nick Davis - refused new contract, traded to Sydney for draft pick 21.
Damien Adkins - traded to West Coast for Williams.
Carl Steinfort - quit when told he would have 'limited opportunities' in
2003.
Andrew Dimattina - delisted


On:
Shane Woewodin (Melbourne). The Poise looked to boost an underpowered
midfield by trading their first-round draft pick (14) for the 2000
Brownlow Medallist. 'Woey' has missed just two games in his
five-and-a-half season career, but since winning The Medal his form has
been unremarkable. Perhaps Woey can do a Brian Wilson (the footballer,
not the drug-addled pop genius) and recapture the form at a different
club.


Andrew Williams (West Coast). Half-forward who must've impressed
Malthouse during the three seasons they were together at West Ghost.
Could be the next Jim Clement.


Bowman Nixon (Calder Cannons, draft pick 21). Mobile 18-y-o tall
forward, represented NSW/ACT in National U-18s, was an All-Australian
too. Comes from Yarrawonga via Kilmore's Assumption College, a
traditional source of footballers.


Luke Shackleton (Tassie Mariners, draft pick 29). Teenage rover from
Burnie who's built like the proverbial brick sh*thouse. Also an U-18
All-Australian.


Cameron Cloke (Eastern Ranges, draft pick 43). The Pies have set out to
draft the entire family. Like older brother Jason, Cam was claimed under
the father/son rule. He's a ruckman who played for the TAC Cup premiers
in 2002. There'll be hell to pay at Richmond.


David King (Glenelg, draft pick 58). Agile junior who played
full-forward for his school and ruck-rover for Glenelg U-19s. Kingy also
played junior basketball for Australia.


Matthew Lokan (Port Adelaide (SANFL), draft pick 70). Twenty-year-old
utility player whom the Pies see as a potential running defender. Not
sure if he's related to Billy Lokan, who played for Fitzroy some years
back.


Luke Mullins (Murray Bushrangers, pre-season draft pick 7).
Lightly-built midfielder who'd been rated a first-round draft pick - go
figure.


Rookie list:
Nick Maxwell (North Ballarat).
Jason Roe (City Cobras).
Tom Hooker (Oakleigh Chargers).
Stephen Eichner (Port Adelaide (SANFL)).


Essendon


Off:
Blake Caracella - traded to Brisbane as part of Headland deal, for
Cupido and draft pick 15. Pick on-traded to Melbourne.
Justin Blumfield - traded to Richmond for draft pick 28.
Chris Heffernan - traded along with draft pick 15 to Melbourne for draft
pick 10.
Gary Moorcroft - delisted. Drafted by Melbourne.
Daniel McAlister - delisted


On:
Damian Cupido (Brisbane). The Dons were under salary-cap pressure but
no-one expected them to unload three premiership-winning midfielders,
despite those players' poor 2002 form. Cupido, effectively swapped for
Caracella, is a silky winger in the Michael Long mould. Made very
promising debut in 2000, dislocated a shoulder mid 2001 which ended his
season. Continued shoulder problems prevented him playing a senior game
last year, but Cupido is very talented if the Bombers can get him right.


Adam McPhee (Fremantle). Red hair, face festooned with freckles...he
belongs at Geelong. McPhee is a strongly-built 19-year-old half-back
flank who enjoyed a fine debut 2001 season with the Dockers but
struggled with second-year blues last season. Victorian boy from Narre
Warren.


Jason Laycock (East Devonport, draft pick 10). Dons need a ruckman or
two and set about it in the draft, following the picks they collected
for Caracella, Blumfield etc. Laycock is not only a promising young
ruckman, he also kicks goals - including five for Tassie v NSW/ACT in
the U-18 Champs.


Jason Winderlich (Gippsland Power, draft pick 11). Skilful teenage
on-baller who is very team-oriented, allegedly. Played for Vic Country
in National U-18s.


Darren Walsh (Dingley, draft pick 27). Lanky, pacy winger. Played for
Sandy Dragons and Vic Metro in 2002.


Tristan Cartledge (North Ballarat, draft pick 28). Another promising
ruckman, just 17 but already a decent 195 cm and 88 kg. Represented Vic
Country in national U-18s.


Jobe Watson (Xavier College, draft pick 40). Son of Bommer great Tim
Watson, claimed under father/son rule. Allegedly a very gifted
midfielder, many thought young Watson was a likely first-round draft
pick had the Dons not nabbed him. And no, his first name is not
pronounced 'Jobby'.


Rookie list:
Scott Howard. Second year on.
Ken Hall. Second year on.
Ben Haynes (Richmond). Rather selfish forward flanker, played a few
senior games.
Courtney Johns (East Fremantle).
Adrian Wilson (Central Districts).
Toby McGrath (West Coast).


Footscray


Off:
Tony Liberatore - retired. Coach of Box Hill Hawks in VFL.
Aaron James - retired
Luke Penny - refused new contract, traded to St. Kilda for draft pick
17.
Kingsley Hunter - traded to Hawthorn for draft pick 35.
Trent Bartlett - delisted
Nathan Saunders - delisted
Shannon Rusca - delisted


On:
Tim Walsh (Ivanhoe, draft pick 4). The Dogs needed big men prior to the
departures of Penny and Hunter, so by draft time the need was desperate.
Walsh (a Bulldog from Ivanhoe?) is a high-leaping, strong-marking key
forward who played for Vic Metro in the National U-18s. Dogs don't
expect Walsh to play much in 2003. His Dad is North Melbourne CEO Geoff
Walsh.


Cameron Faulkner (Central Districts, draft pick 17). Goal-kicking rover
with explosive pace, copped comparisons to Jeff Farmer and Andrew
McLeod. Played in the SANFL Bulldogs' reserve-grade premiership team in
2002.


William Minson (Norwood, draft pick 20). Hefty 17-year-old key forward
who can ruck, played mostly school football in 2002 with a few games for
Norwood's U-17s. Not expected to play seniors in 2003.


Brad Murphy (Calder Cannons, draft pick 33). Forward flanker who had a
day out in round 18 of the TAC Cup, booting 6 goals from a staggering 41
possessions. Must be able to play a bit.


Scott Bassett (Port Adelaide, draft pick 35). Key defender with the
Power expected to fill a large hole in the Bulldog side. Played under
new Puppy coach Peter Rohde at Snaffle club Norwood.


Cameron Wight (Calder Cannons, draft pick 49). Another giant 17-y-o (198
cm), probably will be 'developed' in 2003, although he's impressed in
pre-season trial games. Father Terry Wight played for the Magpies.


Rookie list:
Matthew Boyd. Second year on.


Fremantle


Off:
Dale Kickett - retired
Jason Norrish - retired
Clem Michael - retired
Brad Bootsma - retired
Simon Eastaugh - retired
Daniel Metropolis - retired
Leigh Brown - traded to North for draft pick 13.
Adam McPhee - traded to Essendon for draft pick 55, part of Headland
deal.
Brad Dodd - delisted
Brendan Fewster - delisted
Andrew Shipp - delisted


On:
Des Headland (Brisbane). Big, hard-running half-forward suffered from
homesickness and returns to the state of his birth. Headland was the
number-one draft pick in 1998 but didn't blossom until last season, when
he rampaged about the field collecting touches and kicking goals at
will. Lion coach 'Lethal' barely suppressed his anger at Headland's
departure and refused to trade initially, threatening to put the bloke
into the draft. But common sense won out and the Lyin's copped Freo.s
first two draft picks (3 and 19) for him.


Andrew Siegert (Rookie list). Solidly-built and very useful utility who
played 21 senior games in 2002. Promotion to the full list no real
surprise, then.


Roger Hayden (Rookie list). Lightly-built midfielder debuted round 15
last season and played 5 senior games.


Aaron Sandilands (Rookie list). Truly gigantic ruckman, standing at 211
cm (making him the tallest player in the AFL) and weighing a hefty 111
kg. Yet to play a senior game.


Byron Schammer (West Adelaide, draft pick 13). Highly-regarded rover who
won the Larke Medal last year for best player at the National U-18
Championships, also captained Australia against Ireland in the Under-17
version of that hybrid game-thing. Dokkas were surprised Schammer lasted
until pick 13 - like David Rodan last year, Schammer's size (175 cm) and
a niggling shoulder injury were concerns for other clubs.


Greg Edgcumbe (Wantirna South, draft pick 48). Athletic
defender/midfielder with a bit of speed, can also take a mark. Sounds
ideal, eh?


Ryan Crowley (Gisborne, draft pick 55). 18-year-old centreman from the
basalt plains west of Melbourne. Played for Vic Metro in the U-18
Champs.


Brett Doswell (Wagga Tigers, draft pick 63). "Agile and skilful player",
it says in the paper. So there you go.


Rookie list:
Luke Webster (East Perth). Second year on.
Joshua Head (South Fremantle). Second year on.
Ricky Mott (Sydney). Ruckman with senior experience, returning home to
WA.
Ben Colreavy (Claremont).
Daniel Gilmore (South Fremantle).
Steven Dodd (East Fremantle).


Geelong


Off:
Brad Sholl - retired
Jason Snell - retired
Tim McGrath - retired
Glenn Kilpatrick - retired
Ronnie Burns - traded to Adelaide for Finnin.
David Mensch - delisted. Made captain of Geelong VFL side.
Danny O.Brien - delisted


On:
Ben Finnin (Adelaide). Burns was a surprising departure but Ronnie's
erratic form, history of suspension and sizeable contract made him
highly trade-able. Finnin is a mobile Melbourne-born defender with
raking left boot, drafted in 2001 but yet to make his senior debut.


Jarad Rooke (Rookie list). Back-pocket or tagging midfielder who debuted
in round 2 last season and went on to play 16 games. Deserved promotion.


Paul Chambers (Rookie list). Ruckman who played three senior games early
last season.


Andrew Mackie (Glenelg, draft pick 7). Physically mature 18-y-o key
forward who played most of his footy for school last year, with some
Glenelg reserves games in the SANFL. Didn't make SA U-18 side or attend
draft camp, yet was drafted at no. 7 - leading to complaints that the
Cats had 'hidden' Mackie.


Tom Lonergan (Calder Cannons, draft pick 23). Another teenage key
forward, from Yarrawonga via Assumption like the Pies' first-round pick.
Played for Vic Country in National U-18s. Early showings are that he's a
decent mark, but terrible kick.


Tim Callan (Geelong Falcons, draft pick 36). Half-back flanker who
represented Vic Country in the U-18 championships. Drafted under the
father/son rule, dad Terry played for the Cats in the early 1960s.


Brent Moloney (Geelong Falcons, pre-season draft pick 4). Local boy,
strongly-built midfielder who's had some injury problems over recent
seasons.


Rookie list:
Andrew Carrozzo. Second year on.
Will Slade. Second year on, made senior debut in 2002.
Jeff Smith (East Perth).
Travis Jorgensen (Calder Cannons).
Shannon Byrnes (Murray Bushrangers).


Hawthorn


Off:
Tony Woods - retired
Shaun Rehn - retired. Coaching West Adelaide in the SANFL.
Daniel Chick - traded to West Coast for draft pick 8.
Tim Hazell - demoted to rookie list.
Bill Nicholls - delisted. Drafted by Richmond.


On:
Peter Everitt (St. Kilda). Talented but poorly disciplined and
chronically under-performing ruckman who depleted the Saints' patience.
With Rehn retiring the Hawks were desperate for a ruckman, and hoped to
trade Chick for one of the Eagles'. But the Eegs weren't keen, so
'Spider' arrives at Glenferrie in exchange for the Hawks' first two
draft picks (6 and 22). He's played 180 games over ten seasons.


Kingsley Hunter (Footscray). Speedy big bloke who started his career as
a full-forward at Fremantle, but was used mainly in defence by the Dogs.
Could he be the new Brendan Krummel?


Luke Brennan (North Ballarat, draft pick 8). Tallish teenage utility
player with big leap. Had a few injuries last year but recovered to boot
5 goals in a TAC Cup final for the Rebels. Also played for Vic Country
in 2002. From Horsham, originally.


Tim Boyle (Leopold, draft pick 51). Not much left for the Hawk
recruiters after second- and third-round picks were traded for Everitt
and Hunter. Boyle played as a key defender for TAC Cup side Geelong
Falcons in 2002.


Lachlan Veale (Colac, draft pick 65). Another big bloke who played both
in defence and attack, also for the Geelong Falcons. Other clubs
deliberately recruit from the Cats' area just to (hopefully) embarrass
them.


Rookie list:
Michael Osborne. Third year on, made senior debut in 2001.
Ben Kane. Second year on.
Nick Stone. Second year on, made senior debut last year.
Brad Sewell (North Ballarat).
Tim Hazell.
George Davies (Sturt).


Melbourne


Off:
David Schwarz - retired
Stephen Febey - retired
Anthony McDonald - retired
Shane Woewodin - traded to Collingwood in a 3-way deal for Heffernan and
draft picks 14 and 15. The Dees' draft pick 10 went to Essendon.
Stephen Powell - delisted after refusing new contract. Pre-season
drafted by St. Kilda
Ross Funcke - delisted
Michael Clark - demoted to rookie list.


On:
Chris Heffernan (Essendon). Some consolation for the shock of Woewodin's
departure, which upset many Dee supporters. Heffernan is one of three
midfielders off-loaded by the cap-strapped Bommers, a skilled and
reliable winger who endured an ordinary 2002, but did play in a
premiership-winning side (against Melbourne) in 2000.


Mark Jamar (Rookie list). Promising ruckman who played a couple of
senior games early last season.


Daniel Bell (Glenelg, draft pick 14). Dees were one of the few clubs to
do a lot of drafting. Bell is a strongly-built flanker, made U-18
All-Australian side and displayed impressive skills in the strange
round-ball game v Ireland. From Kingston in country SA.


Nick Smith (Norwood, draft pick 15). Tall guy who captained the U-18 SA
side, playing either forward or back. May need time to develop though,
as according to the paper he weighs 9 kg.


Jared Rivers (North Adelaide, draft pick 26). Another big croweater -
they love them South Ozzies at Melbun. Rivers missed most of 2002 with
injury but had already played seniors in the 'Snaffle' as a 17-year-old.


Gary Moorcroft (Essendon, draft pick 39). 'Son of Evil One' gets a
second chance, no doubt picked to replace Farmer as a foil for Neita in
the Dees' forward line. It's good he's still playing, as we all need a
cathartic hate-figure.


Cameron Hunter (Calder Cannons, draft pick 54). More pain for Bloo fans
as the Demons snapped up the son of Carlton's triple-premiership winner
Ken Hunter. Cam has the same tall, wiry build and admirable courage of
his father.


Ryan Ferguson (Frankston, draft pick 66). More mature draftee (21 years
old) with junior basketball background who played CHB for the Dolphins
in the VFL.


Rookie list:
Nicholas Walsh. Second year on.
Adam Fisher (North Ballarat).
Dale Carson (Western Jets).
Ezra Poyas (Richmond). Half-forward with senior experience. Might've
been drafted out of spite, as deposed Dee president Rabbi Joe Gutnick
refused to have Poyas at the club due to his (Gutnick's) religious
beliefs.
Nathan Carroll (Claremont).
Michael Clark.


North Melbourne


Off:
John Blakey - retired
Joe McLaren - retired
Wayne Carey - traded to the Crows for draft picks 2 and 18.
Byron Pickett - traded to Port for draft picks 13 and 31, pick 13
on-traded to Fremantle for Brown.
Stuart Cochrane - traded to Port Adelaide for Stevens.
Mick Martyn - delisted. Drafted by Carlton.
Winston Abraham - delisted
Adam Lange - delisted
Daniel Pratt - delisted. Rookie-drafted by Brisbane.
Hugh Foott - delisted


On:
Leigh Brown (Fremantle). Byron Pickett announced that he wanted to
return 'home' to Port at the end of 2003, so the Ruse got in first to
relieve themselves of his salary. Brown is a young tall defender who's
shown some promise in the thankless role of Freo full-back for the last
few seasons. Arrival there and success of Luke McPharlin last season saw
Brown struggling for his place. The Ruse grabbed him as a replacement
for Jason McCartney, badly injured in Bali bombing, and delisted Mick
Martyn.


Michael Stevens (Port Adelaide). Younger brother of Roo captain Anthony
was a fringe player with the Power, racking up 17 games in four years -
nine last year though. He's a midfielder and only 21.


Digby Morrell (Rookie list). Promotion to the full list at last for the
big forward, after two years of battling senior performances. Digby
played seven games for five goals in 2001 and made 19 appearances for 24
goals last season. Mightn't be the best player around but he has a
red-hot go.


John Baird (Rookie list). Tall defender who attacks the ball
aggressively, played 14 senior games in 2002.


Daniel Wells (Peel Thunder, draft pick 2). The Carey deal delivered Norf
some handy draft picks and Wells is an outstanding junior midfielder who
excels at just about everything. Very fast, superb endurance and came
second in the Sandover Medal last year, the Waffle's Brownlow
equivalent. All this and just 17. The only West Australian drafted this
year, by the way.


Hamish McIntosh (Lavington, draft pick 9). Giant 18-year-old (202 cm,
101 kg) who is nevertheless quite agile, supposedly. Played for Vic
Country in 2002 U-18 Champs.


Kris Shore (Seville, draft pick 18). Ambidextrous, high-leaping key
forward from up the Dandenong Ranges. Very team-oriented, apparently.


Callum Urch (Spotswood, draft pick 25). Half-back flank with spearing
left boot, won U-18 All-Australian honours playing for Vic Metro. From
an old inner-west Melbourne club.


Joel Perry (Eastern Ranges, draft pick 31). Another tall kid, played in
key possies in both defence and attack. Represented Vic Metro in U-18
Champs.


Blake Grima (East Burwood, draft pick 38). Allegedly a rarity, a rover
with a long kick. Vice-captain of the Vic Metro team.


Rookie list:
Stuart Cooper. Second year on.
Michael Firitto. (Box Hill Hawks).
Jeremy Clayton (North Ballarat).
Clinton Alleway (Box Hill Hawks).
Nick Gill (Melbourne).


Port Adelaide


Off:
Darren Mead - retired
Bowen Lockwood - retired
Barnaby French - traded to Carlton along with draft pick 31 for draft
pick 16.
Michael Stevens - traded to North for Cochrane
Barry Brooks - traded to St. Kilda for draft picks 6 and 35. Pick 35
on-traded to North for Pickett.
Derek Murray - delisted
Alan Murray - delisted. Rookie-drafted by St. Kilda.
Scott Bassett - delisted. Drafted by the Bulldogs.


On:
Byron Pickett (North Melbourne). Fast and hard-hitting - some would say
violent  - half-back who won All-Australian selection and a premiership
medallion in 1999. Spent more time up forward in recent seasons where
he's been dangerous but inconsistent. North recruited Pickett from the
Port Magpies and he recently expressed a desire to return home "at the
end of 2003". North got in first and traded him.


Stuart Cochrane (North Melbourne). Midfielder with luxuriant quiff, used
as a tagger for most of his 50-game career to date. A native croweater,
recruited by North from Centrals.


Steven Salopek (Narre Warren, draft pick 6). Tough, hard-running
centreman who collected stats aplenty at junior level. Was expected to
be a top-three pick until Carlton's punishment altered the picture.
Salopek kicks goals too, was an U-18 All-Australian. Many expected Port
to draft 'local boy' Byron Schammer with their first pick.


Stephen Gilham (Beverley Hills, draft pick 16). Reputedly agile tall kid
who captained Vic Metro to National U-18 title, was also an U-18
All-Australian. Good mate of Salopek's. The 'Beverley Hills' is in
Melbourne's south-eastern suburbs, not LA.


Brett Ebert (Port Adelaide (SANFL), draft pick 42). Teenage
wingman/midfielder and son of Port legend Russell, picked up under
father/son rule which is odd. Russ only played one season in the VFL,
with North Melbourne...


Wade Champion (West Adelaide, draft pick 69). Another big kid with
skills at ground level, they reckon. Played for SA in National U-18s.


Rookie list:
Joe Patfull (Norwood).
Scott Borlace (Norwood).



Richmond


Off:
Matthew Knights - retired. Assistant coach at Port Adelaide.
Paul Hudson - retired
Steven Sziller - retired
Jason Torney - traded along with draft picks 2, 18 and 32 to Adelaide as
part of Carey deal, for Johnson and draft picks 12, 28 and 41. Pick 28
on-traded for Blumfield.
Ezra Poyas - delisted. Rookie-drafted by Melbourne.
Craig Ednie - delisted
Scott Homewood - delisted


On:
Kane Johnson (Adelaide). Very good, dual premiership-winning centreman
seems made-to-order for the Tiges. His top-drawer kicking skills mean
Richo should never again chuck a wobbly over poor delivery. A Tiger
supporter as a boy growing up in North Ringwood, Johnson is 24 with 104
games under his belt. Chief worry is a history of hamstring and
groin-muscle injuries.


Justin Blumfield (Essendon). One of a trio of Bommer under-achievers in
2002 who ended up being traded, Blumfield is a very good 'utility', a
100-game player and a member of the Dons. 2000 premiership side.


Jay Schulz (Woodville/West Torrens, draft pick 12). Teenage centre
half-forward who won the Ron Barassi Medal for being the best player in
U-17 version of that Gaelic/Aussie Rules faff-about. Represented SA at
U-18 level. From the Central Yorke Cougars club.


Tim Fleming (Carlton, draft pick 41). Satisfied by trading for Johnson
and Blumfield, the Tiges did little with the draft after selecting
Schulz. Fleming is an on-baller who's 24 years old, played for Carlton
reserves as a 'top-up' player in 2002.


Bill Nicholls (Hawthorn, draft pick 47). Another mature draftee,
Nicholls has modest skill but is a real 'goer', in footy parlance. He
played 6 games and kicked a few goals for the Hawks in 2001 but last
season was ruined by various injuries.


Daniel Sipthorp (Woodend, draft pick 62). Useful flanker for the Vic
Metro side in 2002. Not sure how places like Woodend and Gisborne get to
be Metro.


Rookie list:
Kelvin Moore (Yarra Valley Anglican School). Not the famous Hawk
full-back, apparently.
Matthew Shir (Adelaide). Tough half-back with senior experience.
Adam Pickering (Carlton). Big bloke, also with some senior experience.


St. Kilda


Off:
Stewart Loewe - retired. Assistant coach at Richmond.
Peter Everitt - traded to Hawthorn for draft picks 6 and 22. Pick 6
on-traded for Brooks.
Jason Cripps - delisted
Justin Plapp - delisted
Chad Davis - delisted


On:
Luke Penny (Footscray). With Loewe retired and Everitt traded, the
Saints were a little lacking in the big-man area. Thus they moved for
Penny and Brooks. The Bullies used Penny as a tall defender, where he
was starting to go quite well before injuring a shoulder last year. He's
21 and played 36 games.


Barry Brooks (Port Adelaide). Teenage key forward/ruckman was drafted in
2001 by the Power but he didn't play a senior game last year. Pretty
expensive pick-up for the Stains, costing them a first and third-round
draft pick. Or maybe they're just sick of having draft picks. Brooks is
the first AFL player to come from King Island.


Brendon Goddard (Traralgon, draft pick 1). Thanks to Carlton's
salary-cap disaster the Saints ended up with the no. 1 pick for the
second time in three years. In 2000 they had picks 1 and 2, in 2001
picks 2, 5 and 13. Surely something must come of all those teenage
champions. Goddard arrives with every junior accolade one could hope
for, described as an "excellent all-round athlete with impressive
speed." Played most of his footy as a ruck-rover, with spells in attack
and defence.


Matthew Ferguson (Heyfield, draft pick 22). Not especially tall (186 cm)
but played as a key forward for Vic Metro due to his strength. A
Gippslander like Goddard, 'Fergy' was selected in the U-18
All-Australian side.


Leigh Fisher (Sandringham Dragons, draft pick 46). Relentless utility
who impressed when he earned a late-season call-up to the Vic Metro
side. The Saints had five more draft picks but passed on all - an AFL
record.


Stephen Powell (Melbourne, pre-season draft pick 1). More than useful
ruck-rover or centreman who kicks goals, too. Has a history of osteitis
pubis which caused him to miss entire 2001 season, and led to
Melbourne's offer of a one-year contract. Powell knocked it back for
three from Stakilda.


Rookie list:
Ben Schwarze. Second year on.
Allan Murray (Port Adelaide). Small forward.
Jordan Barham (Port Adelaide). Vic-born tall forward, didn't manage a
game for the Power.



Sydney


Off:
Paul Kelly - retired
Andrew Dunkley - retired
Wayne Schwass - retired
Tony Lockett - retired
Nick Daffy - retired
Leigh Brockman - delisted
Heath James - demoted to rookie list.


On:
Nick Davis (Collingwood). The Swans don't benefit from the homesickness
syndrome too often, but Davis was raised in Steak'n'Kidney where his
father Craig settled after finishing his playing career. Nick Davis is a
fairly handy half-forward, a proven goal-kicker with 85 in 71 games. And
a steal for a second-round draft pick.


Jarrad McVeigh (Pennant Hills, draft pick 5). Swans happy to nab a
talented local, younger brother of Essadun's Mark. Jarrad's a good
midfielder and excellent ball-user who missed most of the 2002 season
with a shoulder injury, but recovered in time to excel at draft camp. As
an U-16 he won the McLean Medal for having the whitest teeth.


Sean Dempster (Gippsland Power, draft pick 34). Utility-type claimed
under father/son rule - father Graham played for South Melbourne in the
1970s.


Josh Thewlis (Donald, draft pick 50). Hard-working flanker with decent
skills, had a few injury problems in 2002. Still played some games for
Vic Country though.


Nick Malceski (North Ringwood, draft pick 64). Athletic utility/flanker
type who was a member of the winning Vic Metro U-18 Champs. side. No
wonder they won - they appear to have had about 37 players on the field.


Craig Bolton (Brisbane, pre-season draft pick 3). Solid and pretty
decent midfielder struggled to hold a regular place in a team extremely
strong in that area. Already impressed many at Siddey.


Rookie list:
Scott McGlone. Second year on.
Heath James.
Paul Bevan (NSW/ACT Rams).
Ryan Crawford (Calder Cannons).
James Meiklejohn (NSW/ACT Rams).
Declan O'Mahony (Ireland).


West Coast


Off:
Richard Taylor - retired
Mark Merenda - retired
Greg Harding - retired
Michael Prior - retired
Andrew Williams - traded to Collingwood for Adkins.


On:
Daniel Chick (Hawthorn). Strong, hard-tackling forward flanker who
endured a poor season last year amid widespread speculation that he
wasn't happy at Horforn. Which Chick confirmed by asking for a trade
home to WA at the end of the season. Chick won the Hawks' B&F in 2000
and his rugged style of play makes him a natural fit for a
Worsfold-coached team.


Damien Adkins (Collingwood). Speedy and skilful centreman, outstanding
debut season under Tony Shaw in 2000 before being struck down by
osteitis pubis. No games in 2001 and just 5 last year. One to watch.


Quinten Lynch (Rookie list). Lumbering behemoth of a full-forward who
booted 17 goals in 12 senior appearances last season, including two bags
of 5. Also had a go in the ruck and defence, on occasion.


Paul Johnson (Dandenong Stingrays, draft pick 24). The Weegs traded
their first-round pick for Chick but were very happy to get big man
Johnson, who starred in one of them hybrid rules shenanigans played at
Subiaco in 2001. And he is big, 197cm and 98 kg. Played both ruck and
full-forward for Vic Metro.


Brent Staker (NSW/ACT Rams, draft pick 37). Another tall youngster (194
cm) who played both CHB and on the wing for the Rams, suggesting that he
can run a bit. The Weegs also pronounced that Staker was 'much better
than pick 37.' The lad's from Broken Hill, originally.


Adam Selwood (Bendigo Pioneers, draft pick 53). Running
defender/midfielder who missed most of 2002 with a calf muscle injury.
Twin brother Troy was drafted by Brisbane - the joys of the national
competition.


Rookie list:
Clancy Rudeforth. Second year on the rookie list for the Rudester.
Zac Beeck. Second year on.
Aaron Edwards (Dandenong Stingrays).
Mark Nikoski (Subiaco).