Kangaroos set to part ways with Atley

North Melbourne are set to delist veteran defender Shaun Atley, while West Coast have cut their losses and axed former first-round draft pick Jarrod Brander.

Atley has played 234 AFL games since making his debut in 2011, and missed just two matches this year.

But with the Kangaroos in the midst of their biggest rebuild ever, the 29-year-old is set to be cut loose.

It remains unclear whether Atley will attempt to revive his career at a rival club.

Brander was West Coast’s most recent first-round draft pick after being taken with pick No.13 in 2017, and there were high hopes the 196cm big man would eventually flourish into a star forward.

But with Josh Kennedy, Jack Darling, and Oscar Allen occupying the key forward spots, Brander was played largely out of position during his 22 games over four seasons, including stints in the midfield and on the wing.

Brander will now explore his options as a delisted free agent.

Melbourne have re-signed premiership defender Michael Hibberd on a one-year deal, meaning all 23 members of their flag-winning side are locked in for 2022.

But defender Marty Hore and mid-season draftee Kye Declase have been delisted.

Hore played 14 games in 2019, but ruptured his ACL in January and missed the entire 2021 campaign.

Meanwhile, Collingwood have traded pick No.27 in this year’s draft to Richmond in exchange for picks No.38, 40, and a future third-round selection.

As it stands, Collingwood hold picks 27, 36, 38, 40, 43, 46, 48, 55, 58, 78 and 79 in this year’s draft.

They also have three third-round selections for 2022, as well as a first-round pick.