GEELONG will consider throwing delisted defender Tom Ruggles a lifeline, possibly in the NAB AFL Draft or the rookie draft.



The 25-year-old made an immediate impression in his debut season of 2016, playing 18 games after coming off the rookie list.

Opportunities, however, were scarce in 2017, with Ruggles playing the opening four games of the year before poor form and a collarbone injury saw him fail to register another senior game.

Ruggles was delisted on October 30 but Cats coach Chris Scott revealed on Friday that the axed defender's time at Simonds Stadium may not be over.

"Absolutely he is (a chance to be redrafted)," Scott told Melbourne radio station SEN.

"It was a really difficult situation (to delist him), so he'd count himself a little bit unlucky.

"He's been invited to stay around the club, use the facilities and prepare himself so he is in good shape if he does get another opportunity.

"It certainly is an option at our disposal to use one of our picks to bring Tom back in."

The Cats have already committed to redrafting untried utility Matthew Hayball as a rookie and retaining Jamaine Jones, Zach Guthrie, Sam Simpson and Jack Henry on the rookie list.