Shane Woewodin had two months to prepare for the possible end of his AFL career, but even so confirmation of it was gut-wrenching.

The 2000 Brownlow Medallist and joint runner-up in last year's Collingwood best-and-fairest count was left without a club after the pre-season draft.

Collingwood delisted the midfielder at the end of this season and although he made several calls to AFL coaches over the weekend, plus a public offer to play for the minimum player's wage, Woewodin could not entice any club to recruit him.

"To be 29 and shown the door of your second club and then to be saying your career is over, is gut-wrenching," he said.

"Sometimes I think I've got the best footy in front of me.

"I had a lean year, but my last few weeks of the year were pretty good.

"It hasn't really sunk in yet, I haven't shed a tear - that might happen later on when you get time by yourself and the emotions of it all."

His player manager Liam Pickering also had to start considering offers from SANFL clubs for Damian Cupido, another senior player without a new home.

Woewodin and the former Essendon forward were prominent examples of dozens of players with senior experience who could not find new clubs.

"It's really frustrating and it's hard for a guy who's been such a great player, I mean, he's won a Brownlow Medal," Pickering said of Woewodin.

"In his own mind and in my mind too, he's still got plenty to offer."

While Cupido will most likely move to Adelaide, Perth-raised Woewodin will probably play local football in that city.

Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy said it was disappointing for football that Woewodin was lost to the AFL.

But for players such as Chris Heffernan, who succeeded in continuing their careers at new clubs, it sent a clear message.

"Guys like Woewodin ... it's quite clear to me how quickly the career can all be gone," Heffernan said.

"I won't be drifting through this year, don't worry."

Essendon succeeded in boosting its midfield by picking up former Carlton vice-captain Scott Camporeale and Heffernan in Tuesday's draft.

Heffernan played in Essendon's 2000 premiership team, suffered a shock delisting in 2002 and then spent three years at Melbourne.

The pre-season draft only featured 10 picks and they went according to predictions.

* Carlton took former Brisbane ruckman Dylan McLaren at No.1, Collingwood recruited young Tasmanian player Sam Iles at No.2 and Hawthorn went with ex-St Kilda utility Brent Guerra to round out the top three.

* Richmond had been undecided on whether to use its No.5 pick, but took Matthew White of the Calder Cannons when it became clear Collingwood would snap him up in the rookie draft.

* The other players with senior experience to find new homes in the pre-season draft were Ben Fixter (Sydney to Brisbane) and Cameron Thurley (Geelong to the Kangaroos).

* The rookie draft was conducted a few minutes after the pre-season draft, with 54 young players gaining places on clubs' rookie lists.

* Injury-prone key position player Tom Davidson (Collingwood to Western Bulldogs), midfielder Steven Armstrong (Melbourne to West Coast) and former Eagle Jeremy Humm (to Richmond) were among players with AFL experience who featured in the rookie draft.

* Sydney's rookie draftees included Kieran Jack, the son of former Australian rugby league fullback Gary Jack.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP