Sydney discard Michael Talia looks unlikely to get an AFL lifeline as clubs opt to invest in youth rather than roll the dice on the troubled defender.
Talia was dumped from his second club, the Swans, at season's end following a career punctuated by scandal.
Clubs' final list lodgements were announced by the AFL on Thursday, meaning a rookie lifeline may be the only door left ajar for Talia. However, ESPN has been told there is a lack of interest in the big-bodied defender, possibly due to his rap sheet.
During his time at the Bulldogs, the 24-year-old fell out of favour with coach Luke Beveridge after he was suspected of passing on game-sensitive tactics to his brother, Adelaide defender Daniel, before the Crows defeated the Dogs in the 2015 elimination final.
The scandal was investigated by the AFL's integrity unit but ultimately cleared Talia of wrongdoing.
Despite the findings, Talia's position on the Dogs' list was untenable and he was traded to the Swans at the end of that season.
Talia, pick No. 39 in the 2011 draft, was set to turn the tide on his frustrating career when he debuted for the Swans in Round 1 of his first season at the club in 2016.
While injuries and inconsistency eventually saw the Calder Cannons product relegated to the NEAFL, a drug misdemeanor derailed his ambitions to regain his senior spot.
Talia was found by patrolling police outside a Sydney nightclub to be in possession of cocaine. He pleaded guilty and copped a $5000 fine, as well as registering a first strike in the AFL's drug policy.
Talia is set to meet with his management, Precision Sports Entertainment Group, headed by Liam Pickering, to discuss his playing future in the coming days.
St Kilda was once considered a front-runner for Talia's services, but have gone cold since recruiting former Port Adelaide player Logan Austin.
Talia appealed for the Crows to pick him up, but the coaching staff at West Lakes are said to be comfortable with their defensive mix.
He is expected to play in the SANFL at either Norwood or South Adelaide next season.