FREMANTLE has delisted midfielders Nick Lower and Jesse Crichton ahead of the 2012 NAB AFL Draft, but both will continue to train with the club and could be redrafted as rookies.

Utility Dylan Roberton has also been cut after turning down a new contract to return to Victoria for family reasons, while key position players Jack Anthony and Peter Faulks remain on the senior list.

Lower, who earned his second AFL chance as a rookie before being promoted, was a key member of the midfield in 2011 but could add just three games this year after an interrupted pre-season.

He played 20 games with Port Adelaide between 2006-09 and won 30 possessions and eight clearances against Essendon in round 13 this season.

Crichton played four games in his third season and is expected to continue his career at Fremantle on the rookie list.

Fremantle midfielder Nat Fyfe said he understood Roberton's decision not to continue his 37-game career at Fremantle.

"I think there's a bit of a misunderstanding there - he's sort of got family reasons he needed to go home for," Fyfe said on Thursday.

"I don’t think there was any homesickness involved.

"He's a required person back at home and he's obviously decided to take that pathway. As a friend I support him fully."

The next list lodgement deadline is on November 29, after next Thursday's NAB AFL Draft, which will be held on the Gold Coast.

Nathan Schmook is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Nathan