Now that the Australian Football League (AFL) season has drawn to a close, the clubs are turning their focus to the trade period and draft to replenish their player list. But, unfortunately, many players will be delisted from their club, even if they still want to play next year.

I always hear about the journeymen who have played for numerous clubs during their careers at this time of year. They are often seen as professional players who are technically competent but unable to excel to a level that prolongs their career.

With over 700 players listed on the eighteen AFL teams, you will need quite a number of these journeymen to make up those lists. So, it is not surprising to see these players move to another club when they are delisted. They are necessary to keep the competition going.

No one ever refers to a journeyman as such when they are playing. They only get this label towards the end of their career when they are set to retire. It is the label given to those players who have done ok but were never the star player.

The journeymen are the foundation of the AFL. Without them, we don't get to see the superstars of the competition. So three cheers for the journeymen.