FREE agency has been part of the AFL's player movement landscape since the end of 2012.

And while the majority of the focus has gone on star players who have switched clubs, it's also opened the door for those desperate for a second chance at a new home.

RETIREMENTS, DELISTINGS AND TRADES Your club's list changes

With the 2019 delisted free agency window opening on Friday, November 1, here's a look at the top 10 players who have embraced their AFL lifelines.

10. Lachlan Keefe (Coll/GWS)

Could be considered a premature inclusion on this list, having played just 18 games for the Giants in the past two seasons, but the 29-year-old key defender's career resurgence is a remarkable story. His career looked to be over when he was cut by Collingwood at the end of 2017. Keefe played the last of his 40 games for the Magpies in 2014 before serving a two-year anti-doping suspension. Has justified the Giants' faith in him by playing important defensive roles while also helping out in the ruck. The Giants have rewarded Keefe with a contract extension until the end of 2021.

9. Jonathan Simpkin (Syd/Geel/Haw/Ess)

A great story of perseverance. At the age of 25 and at his third club, Simpkin became a premiership player in just his 18th senior game as a part of Hawthorn's successful side in 2013. Spent two years on Sydney's rookie list in 2006-07 without playing a game. Played four games for Geelong in 2012 before being delisted and picked up by the Hawks. The midfielder came into the Grand Final side due to Brendan Whitecross being ruled out with injury. Simpkin played 19 more games for the Hawks in the next two seasons before being delisted at the end of 2015. He joined Essendon in 2016 as a top-up player, playing four games as the majority of the Bombers' stars served a 12-month anti-doping ban.

Jonathan Simpkin gazes at the 2013 premiership cup as Jarryd Roughead and Liam Shiels look on. Picture: AFL Photos





8. Matthew Wright (Adel/Carl)

The dangerous small forward reignited his career at the Blues after being delisted by Adelaide at the end of 2015. Wright was the Blues' leading goalkicker in his first season at the club in 2016 with 22 goals, while also averaging 20 disposals per game. He played 65 of a possible 66 games in his three seasons with the Blues, assisting in the development of young forwards Charlie Curnow and Harry Mackay. Wright retired, aged 28, at the end of 2018 to take up a development coaching role with the Crows.

7. Jeremy Laidler (Geel/Carl/Syd)

A smart pick-up from the Swans at the end of 2013 when Laidler was cut by Carlton after 26 games across five seasons for the Blues and Geelong. Quickly found himself a spot in the Swans' backline. Played 19 games in 2014, 23 the following year and 16 in 2016, including the losing Grand Final against the Western Bulldogs. Only managed three games in 2017 before retiring at the end of the season. Is now a development coach at the Swans.

6. Jarryd Lyons (Adel/GC/Bris)

Lower on this list than what he should be, given the unusual circumstances around his departure from Gold Coast last year. The Lions jumped at the chance at signing the 26-year-old to a three-year deal without giving up anything in return. He's rewarded them by averaging 23.8 disposals and six tackles per game in his first season at the club. It's still hard to fathom how Lyons couldn't command a regular spot in the struggling Suns' best 22 last season, but hey, the Lions aren't complaining.

It had to be!



Jarryd Lyons snaps a goal against his old side!#AFLLionsSuns pic.twitter.com/x2qiw5ZFId — AFL (@AFL) August 10, 2019

5. Dylan Roberton (Frem/StK)

The rebounding defender played 37 games in three seasons with Fremantle, but he was delisted at the end of 2012 after his request to be traded to a Victorian club wasn't granted. He joined the Saints and become a solid contributor, culminating in the 2017 season when he was selected in the extended 40-man All-Australian squad. Roberton started the 2018 strongly before he was diagnosed with a heart condition. He sat out the 2019 season after a recurrence of the same problem during the pre-season competition, but is aiming to return next year.

4. Mitch Robinson (Carl/Bris)

The hard-nut played 100 games with Carlton before he was cut at the end of 2014. With his career at a crossroads, Robinson was thrown a lifeline by the Lions. He's made the most of his second chance, especially in the past couple of years when he's become the barometer of the Lions midfield. Sets the tone with his aggression, but has importantly been able to channel that in a positive way. The 30-year-old, who is on track to play his 200th career game in round nine next year, will finish his career with the Lions after signing until the end of 2021.

3. Joel Hamling (Geel/WB/Frem)

A second-round pick in the 2011 NAB AFL Draft by Geelong, the defender spent three years on the Cats' list before being delisted without playing a senior game. Was thrown a lifeline by the Western Bulldogs, playing 23 games in his two seasons and capping his time at the Kennel as part of the drought-breaking premiership-winning side in 2016. Earns a spot on the list simply for that. The West Australian requested a trade to the Dockers at the end of that year. He's slotted in seamlessly into the Dockers' backline, playing 62 of a possible 66 games, and signing a contract extension until the end of 2023.

2. Ricky Henderson (Adel/Haw)

Not many footballers have a career-best season at the age of 31, but that's exactly what Henderson managed for the Hawks in 2019. In his third season since being picked up at the end of 2016, Henderson averaged 24.6 disposals and 7.2 marks per game playing on a wing, finishing runner-up in Hawthorn's best and fairest behind James Worpel. It's been a magnificent resurgence for a player who could never truly establish himself at Adelaide. Henderson played 90 games in his seven seasons at the Crows from 2010-16, but never more than 18 games in a season. He's already played 62 games in his three years at the Hawks, and has signed on for 2020.

Ricky Henderson makes no mistake on the run! #AFLHawksNorth pic.twitter.com/NfmclHtdUu — AFL (@AFL) April 7, 2019

1. Tim Membrey (Syd/StK)

A third-round pick by Sydney in the 2012 NAB AFL Draft, the medium forward couldn't establish himself at the Swans, playing just one game before being cut at the end of 2014. However, after being picked up as a delisted free agent by St Kilda, he's thrived at the Saints, kicking 169 goals in 91 games, including 44 goals in the 2016 and 2019 seasons. The 25-year-old is a key component of the Saints' attack and has signed on until the end of 2021.