AFL delisted free agency: Orazio Fantasia, Sam Naismith find new homes

Bryn Wakefield

AFL delisted free agency: Orazio Fantasia, Sam Naismith find new homes image

Oscar McDonald and Sam Naismith are the first players on the move since the AFL Delisted Free Agency Period opened on Wednesday. 

The movement window is set to run until Friday, November 10 and will reopen after the 2023 Draft

During this period, clubs are able to sign any player who has previously been delisted and is without an AFL club. 

MORE: AFL delisted free agents: The best players currently without a club for 2024

Orazio Fantasia signs for Carlton

November 2

Injury-struck small forward Orazio Fantasia has turned down offers from Port Adelaide and GWS to sign for Carlton as a delisted free agent. 

The prominent goalkicker is understood to have signed a two-year deal with the Blues ahead of the 2024 AFL season. 

Fantasia spent three years at Port Adelaide, playing in two finals before spending a lengthy period of time sidelined with hamstring concerns. 

He managed four top-level games in his past two seasons. 

MORE: AFL Delistings 2023: Who was dropped from your club this offseason?

Sam Naismith joins Richmond from Port Melbourne

November 1

Richmond has boosted its ruck stocks with former Swan Sam Naismith, who spent the previous season in the VFL with Port Melbourne. 

Naismith's last AFL game came in Round 4, 2020, with the 205cm ruckman playing 30 matches across his career. 

With Ivan Solo completing a move to Port Adelaide in the offseason, the Tigers are in need of a backup behind Toby Nankervis and Sampson Ryan. 

Naismith's best performance this season came against the Collingwood VFL side in Round 2, where the 31-year-old won 62 hitouts and 16 disposals. 

Sam Naismith Port Melbourne
Getty Images

Fremantle sign Oscar McDonald from Williamstown

November 1

Defender Oscar McDonald will join Fremantle on a two-year deal, having earned his place in the VFL Team of the Year at fullback last season. 

McDonald played 86 AFL games across Melbourne and Carlton, before joining Williamstown ahead of 2023. 

The 196cm defender, who is the brother of Melbourne's Tom McDonald, is now set to join his third AFL club. 

Fremantle lost key backman Joel Hamling in free agency this year, and have been on the lookout for defensive stocks. 

When can AFL clubs sign delisted players?

To re-join an AFL list, delisted players have three options:

1. Delisted Free Agency Period - A time when a delisted free agent can be picked up by a new team. In 2023 there are three periods that run between:

  • Wednesday, November 1 (9am) - Wednesday, November 8 (5pm) | AFL Delisted Player Free Agency (1) Period
     
  • Friday, November 10, 9am to 5pm | AFL Delisted Player Free Agency (2) Period
     
  • Tuesday, November 21 (time TBC) | AFL Delisted Player Free Agency (3) Period

2. Supplemental selection period - If a place on an AFL list becomes available during the off-season or pre-season due to another player's injury or retirement

3. Mid-season Draft - A draft in the middle of the AFL season that allows clubs to replenish lists

*All times/dates in AEDT.

MORE: Reports: 'Round Zero' to begin 2024 AFL season

Bryn Wakefield

Bryn Wakefield Photo
Bryn is a content producer for Sporting News, covering AFL and Australian Rules Football. Based in Adelaide, South Australia, he has thrived in the passionate sporting city, desperate for ultimate success despite its underdog tag.