Polak one of nine axed in Richmond clean-out

RICHMOND has delisted Graham Polak after he failed to convince the club he could make a regular contribution at AFL level next season.

Polak, 25, played the last two games of the season in his fight back from life-threatening injuries sustained in a June 2008 tram accident, but was one of nine players officially cut by the club on Friday ahead of the first list lodgement deadline.

Former first-round pick Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls has also been shown the door after just 13 games, while Cleve Hughes, Nathan Brown, Mark Coughlan, Kayne Pettifer, Adam Pattison, Dean Putt and Jarrod Silvester round out the cull.

Joel Bowden and Kane Johnson retired earlier in the year and Andrew Raines and Jay Schulz were traded out in a huge reshuffle at Punt Road ahead of Damien Hardwick's first year in charge.

Richmond general manager of football Craig Cameron said the club would attempt to take advantage of the AFL's new rules which would allow Polak to be added to the rookie list as a mature-age player.

"We will investigate the opportunity of offering Graham a position on our rookie list through the 2009 rookie draft," Cameron said. "But obviously this will not be confirmed until after the draft has taken place.

"We thank these players for the contributions they have made at Richmond and we wish them all the best for the future."

Small forward Robin Nahas and ruckman Andrew Browne have been elevated to the senior list after making their debuts in 2009.

Former Port Adelaide defender Mitchell Farmer joined the club during the recent exchange period.

Richmond now has selections three, 19, 35, 44, 51, 67, 72 and 83 in the 2009 NAB AFL Draft, which will be held on Thursday, November 26.

In other club announcements:

Carlton
- The Blues have finalised their first lodgement, removing utility Greg Bentley from their rookie list. Bentley played five games in 2009 after 21 in three seasons with Port Adelaide.

The 22-year-old's departure is one of six from the rookie list, with Lachlan Hill, Darren Pfeiffer and Luke Stanton also cut and Sam Jacobs and Aaron Joseph elevated to senior spots.

Jeff Garlett and David Ellard have been retained.

Nick Stevens announced his retirement on Thursday.

North Melbourne
- The club has officially parted ways with frustrated half-back Jesse Smith, who knocked back the offer of a new contract and was unsuccessful in his attempts to be traded.

Smith, 23, had not played a senior game since round five, 2008 because of hamstring and ankle injuries and leaves the Roos with 27 matches to his name.

He was recruited as a father-son selection in 2004.

"It is just an unfortunate situation that occurs from time to time in this industry. It is disappointing for everyone, but it's something that occurs across the entire competition," chief of football Donald McDonald said this month.

Port Adelaide
- Wade Thompson has been upgraded to the senior list, with Danny Meyer accepting another rookie list contract. NSW scholarship player Jordan Johns has also been added to the rookie list. Chad Cornes joins Warren Tredrea on veteran status.

"Wade showed us some really exciting things early last season, and with a full pre-season we think he can fill an important role in our team in 2010," general manager of football operations Peter Rohde said of Thompson.

West Coast
- Jamie McNamara has been delisted after 19 games for the club while Ryan Davis will try his luck in the NAB AFL Draft after rejecting the offer to stay on the rookie list for a third season.

Callum Wilson, Will Sullivan and Lewis Stevenson will remain on the rookie list for a third year, and Adam Cockie a second. Ashley Arrowsmith and Liam Bedford have not been retained.

Retired premiership player Tyson Stenglein will be delisted after the draft, allowing the Eagles to participate in the NAB AFL Pre-Season Draft.