Chad Wingard, Sam Reid and Jake Melksham are all aged over 30 and have played 621 games between themselves.
But the veteran trio will be delisted and then allowed to be placed on their club's rookie lists in 2024 under current AFL rules.
Clubs are cleverly and legally exploiting a player management tool that even the AFL states is for a different purpose.
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AFL's description of the Rookie List
On the AFL's official website, there is a description of what the rookie list is supposed to provide for clubs.
And it doesn't appear to be keeping ageing, injured veterans on AFL lists.
"Over time, the size of the Rookie List and qualification criteria have been amended to allow clubs more flexibility in the way players can enter the AFL competition," the AFL states.
"It has created opportunities for players and encourages the development and recruitment of players from outside normal player pathways while the dropping of the maximum age qualification has encouraged clubs to also draft mature-age players."
It has created opportunities for players and encourages the development and recruitment of players from outside normal player pathways
An example of the above purpose functioning its true glory is that three 2023 All Australians were initially on their club's rookie list - Jack Sinclair, Callum Wilkie and Dan Houston.
In recent seasons, there has been a growing usage of the rookie list to keep veterans at the club, instead of to give pathways for new talent into the AFL.
Kane Cornes slams Rookie List rules
AFL personality Kane Cornes has been critical of club's usage of their Rookie Lists, believing the designated purpose of the list management tool is being exploited.
The former Port Adelaide star feels that up-and-coming talent in the state leagues are being deprived by the current use of the system.
"The rookie list is a farce, honestly," Cornes said on SEN Sportsday.
"I've had my say on this in the past when clubs go to place their final list lodgements, which has happened in the last 24 hours. You're hearing and you're reading such and such player is going to be delisted and then put on the rookie list.
"I'm going, ‘Hang on Sam Reid from Sydney is going to be delisted and then put on the rookie list?’. Sam Reid's 32 years of age in December. He's been on an AFL list for 13 years.
"This defeats the purpose of what the rookie list should be there for.
"Don't worry about the 21-year-old who's plying his trade - one who has been overlooked in the National Draft a couple of times and he's gone back, and he's worked on his game at SANFL or WAFL or VFL level and he's craving for an opportunity to be placed on a rookie list.
"He can't be (rookie listed) because Jake Melksham is on the rookie list. He's 32 and he's played 221 games."
AFL rookies using current loophole
AFL clubs have committed to re-drafting the following players on the Rookie List for 2024 after delisting them at the end of the recent season.
It's likely more delisted players will be re-signed by their clubs outside of the confirmed list.
- James Borlase (Adelaide)
- Sam Day (Gold Coast Suns)
- Adam Kennedy (GWS)
- Chad Wingard (Hawthorn)
- Jake Melksham (Melbourne)
- Sam Reid (Sydney)
- Taylor Duryea (Western Bulldogs)
- Lachlan McNeil (Western Bulldogs)
