ON THE BACK of a last-minute rule change by the AFL, Melbourne has moved James Jordon and Aaron Nietschke to its rookie list for the 2021 season.

The Demons had already re-signed Jordon for one year and vouched to select Nietschke via the Rookie Draft after delisting him last month, but that process has been brought forward.

This new rule allows clubs to transfer two players straight from the senior list to the rookie list without having to do so via the Rookie Draft, as they have done in previous years.

Gallery: The pre-pre-season grind

Melbourne will now have an extra spot available on the senior list, providing it flexibility for next Wednesday’s National Draft, the pre-season supplemental selection period (SSP) and any mid-season recruitment options in 2021.

For more information on the rule tweak and AFL rookie contracts, click here.

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Gus and Gawny | Ben Brown

It's a rebrand! Well, sort of. The feedback has come through, so Max Gawn and Angus Brayshaw take their first steps to transition the podcast to Gus and Gawny.