After being delisted by Hawthorn at the end of the 2024 season, former top-10 pick Denver Grainger-Barras is facing an uncertain future in the AFL. The 22-year-old defender, selected with pick No. 6 in the 2020 draft, failed to secure a consistent spot in the senior side, making only 16 appearances in the VFL last season.
Although he initially showed promise, Grainger-Barras struggled to meet the expectations set by Hawthorn, who attempted to develop him into a traditional key defender. His natural strengths as an intercept player and his ability to read the game seemed to conflict with the club’s vision for his role. Despite these setbacks, Grainger-Barras remains hopeful for a second chance in the AFL, but his future is now hanging in the balance.
Grainger-Barras is not yet giving up on his AFL dream, with plans to train with Carlton for a potential train-on opportunity. His manager, Tom Seccull, stated that while Grainger-Barras has entered the draft and hopes for a re-draft, he is prepared to earn a spot elsewhere if needed. However, Carlton’s defensive needs may not align with what Grainger-Barras can offer, as the club recently added experienced players like Nick Haynes and already has a strong defensive lineup led by Jacob Weitering.
The defender’s future is now uncertain, and while Seccull believes Grainger-Barras still has the talent to make it at the top level, the chances of him securing a place at Carlton or another AFL club remain unclear.
