Hawthorn Football Club Announces Delisting of Three Players Ahead of 2025 AFL Season

Hawthorn Football Club has confirmed the delisting of three players—Denver Grainger-Barras, Ethan Phillips, and Jack O’Sullivan—from its roster as part of ongoing adjustments for the upcoming 2025 Australian Football League (AFL) season.

Denver Grainger-Barras, who was drafted by Hawthorn in 2020, has played 28 games for the club. Despite showing potential, he did not participate in any senior matches in the 2024 season, featuring instead in 16 Victorian Football League (VFL) games. Ethan Phillips joined the Hawks as a rookie during the Supplemental Selection Period and played one senior game in 2024. Jack O’Sullivan, since being drafted with Pick 46 in 2022, did not make his AFL debut but appeared in 13 VFL matches this year.

Commenting on the decision, Mark McKenzie, Hawthorn’s National Recruiting and List Manager, expressed gratitude for their contributions. “While these are always hard decisions to make at the end of the season, we thank Denver, Ethan, and Jack for their contributions to the club,” McKenzie stated. “All three have shown a high level of professionalism during their time in the brown and gold. We wish all three of them well for the future.”

The decision to release Grainger-Barras and Phillips appears influenced by recent player acquisitions during the trade period, including the signing of Josh Battle from St Kilda and another defender from the West Coast Eagles.

Adding to the complexities, Grainger-Barras had hinted at his departure in a social media post before Hawthorn’s official announcement. There is speculation that his AFL career may continue, as clubs such as the West Coast Eagles and Carlton Blues are reportedly interested in bolstering their defensive stocks.

Meanwhile, club dynamics remain fluid with the delisted free agency period set to commence on November 1 and conclude on November 8. Further list decisions are expected ahead of the October 31 deadline for finalizing team rosters.