Greater Western Sydney will have the chance to add more mature-age bargains to its squad after a host of unfulfilled talents were given the boot on AFL list lodgement deadline day.
Melbourne excitement machine Austin Wonaeamirri, injury-prone Collingwood goalsneak Brad Dick, fringe Magpies midfielder John McCarthy and Geelong premiership ruckman Mark Blake were all axed on Monday, leaving their AFL careers in limbo.
Carlton forward Setanta O'hAilpin, Hawthorn's Rick Ladson, North Melbourne's Ed Lower, Port Adelaide's Daniel Motlop, St Kilda's Steven Baker and Sydney's Paul Bevan are other well-known names who now face AFL oblivion after being cut.
St Kilda's Zac Dawson survived the cull, but the AFL career of dual All-Australian Leon Davis could be over after he formally cut ties with Collingwood on Monday.
Geelong, still buzzing from its premiership success, farewelled another familiar name, with premiership ruckman Brad Ottens joining Cameron Ling, Darren Milburn and Cameron Mooney in retirement.
But the fate of Wonaeamirri and Dick loom as the most intriguing points heading into the national and pre-season drafts.
Wonaeamirri, who hails from the Tiwi Islands, battled fitness and homesickness problems throughout his 31-game career, but was a shining light for the Demons during a bleak 2008.
However, the Demons made the tough decision to cut the 176cm, 23-year-old speedster after failing to make contact with him in their bid to discuss his future.
"Unfortunately, we have been unable to adequately communicate with Aussie to determine his future intentions," Demons general manager of list management Tim Harrington said.
Dick's talents were highly valued at the Magpies, but a number of serious shoulder injuries ultimately brought the 23-year-old undone, restricting him to just 27 games over five seasons.
But while the tender age of Dick and Wonaeamirri could ultimately count in their favour, the AFL career of 30-year-old Davis appears over, with both West Coast and Fremantle showing little interest in the reborn defender despite his breakout 2011 campaign.
Davis, who notched 225 games for the Magpies, is intent on returning home to Western Australia, where he is likely to resume his career in the WAFL.
In other player news on Monday, fringe Fremantle pair Ryan Crowley and Michael Walters survived the cut and signed new one-year deals under new coach Ross Lyon.
Essendon promoted rookie Stewart Crameri onto their senior list after his breakthrough season up forward, while Nick Lower (Fremantle), Mitch Golby (Brisbane), Alik Magin (Gold Coast), Luke Breust (Hawthorn), Luke Delaney (North Melbourne), Cameron Pederson (North Melbourne), Nathan Gordon (Sydney), Ashton Hams (West Coast), Luke Dahlhaus (Bulldogs) and Matthew Panos (Bulldogs) were also elevated.
AAP
Tags: australian-football-league, sport, melbourne-3000 First posted October 31, 2011 16:49:59
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