Two former Sydney Swans best and fairest winners, including co-captain Dane Rampe, with more than 500 games’ experience between them will be the most unlikely AFL rookies taken in the upcoming draft after being delisted by their club.

The veteran duo will both play on in 2026 but on one-year deals and as rookies after the club committed to adding them back to the list via the rookie draft.

It comes a year after Hawthorn delisted Jack Gunston, then added him back on the list through the rookie draft in a move that was labelled a “farce” .

Gunston won the Hawks’ best and fairest in 2025, and All-Australian honours, after booting 73 goals.

The rookie list was initially designed to allow clubs to draft players who needed to be developed but has been used in recent seasons by clubs to hel

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