that just makes no sense at all and reeks of crap............but i think you may be right.
A player has served seven seasons or fewer of AFL football at one club, and is now out of contract.
The player is not eligible for free agency if his club wishes to retain him. He may only move clubs via a trade or the draft. If he delists himself, he is subject to the draft, and may be selected by any club.
A player has served seven seasons or fewer of AFL football at one club, and has been delisted by his club.
so how I see it is, if you knock back a contract, but as long as the club delists you, which they would have to do when the primary list announcements are made (?) and you have not signed a contract, then you become a free agent.
if you delist yourself, then you dont become a free agant and have to enter the draft.
so why would anyone delist themself?
if this is the case, then this is just mental, but then again, it is the AFL.
surely clubs couldn't keep a player on their list who has not signed a contract, which would create a loophole for anyone to become a free agent at any time?