West Coast have delisted former Carlton small forward Matt Owies with a year remaining on his contract.
The Eagles made the announcement on Wednesday, with Owies to depart the club only two years into a three-year contract he signed when he crossed from the Blues at the end of the 2024 season.
Owies played only 19 games at West Coast, including only three this season, despite the club struggling for small forwards in the wake of Jamie Cripps’ retirement and Liam Ryan being traded to St Kilda.
The 29-year-old was part of the controversial trade which led to both he and Liam Baker joining the Eagles from the Blues and Richmond respectively, with the Eagles giving up pick No.3 in that year’s draft as part of the deal which Carlton ultimately used to recruit this year’s Rising Star winner Jagga Smith.
He would instead spend the majority of this season in the WAFL, playing 13 games and booting 20 goals despite a lack of potent forward line options.
Owies thanked the Eagles for his chance to continue his career in Western Australia, having not been offered a contract by Carlton before he was traded.
“I have loved my time here and know the guys are going in the right direction under Mini,” Owies said.
“It obviously hasn’t worked out like we hoped but that’s life and I wish the club nothing but success.”
West Coast list boss Matt Clarke revealed Owies would head back to Victoria after he was let go by the club.
“During ongoing discussions with Matt and his management group, Matt had been open to his time at West Coast coming to an end and moving back to Victoria,” he said.
“On behalf of the club, I would like to thank Matt for his contribution over the past two years.
“We wish him nothing but the best for the future.”
It continues an overhaul of their list in the wake of a four-win season, including 11 consecutive defeats to finish the year.
Cripps retired, while the Eagles delisted former Hawthorn forward Tyler Brockman, Clay Hall, Jack Williams, Harry Schoenberg, Harvey Johnston and Harry Barnett.
West Coat also added former Melbourne captain Jack Viney and his premiership teammate at the Demons in Trent Rivers last week on deadline day of the AFL trade period.
This is not the first time the Eagles have delisted a player with a year to run on their contract, having axed Zac Langdon at the end of the 2022 season at the age of 26 and only 56 games into his career.
Owies’ delisting opens up another list spot for the Eagles ahead of the national draft next month, with West Coast holding pick 3, 23, 58 and 64.