Former top 10 pick to train on for Carlton list spot if he’s not re-drafted

Denver Grainger-Barras is hoping for an AFL lifeline a month on from being delisted by Hawthorn.

The pick No. 6 from the 2020 Draft played 28 games for the Hawks across four seasons but didn’t appear in any senior games in 2025.

After being axed by the Hawks, Grainger-Barras’ manager Tom Seccull from Hemisphere Management revealed that the defender will train on with Carlton in search for an SSP spot if he’s not picked up in the 2025 AFL Draft.

Grainger-Barras would ideally like to be re-drafted given that would guarantee him a contract, but if not, he’ll try and earn one at Ikon Park on the training track.

“He’s not (heading home to WA), he'll do a train-on position with Carlton, which he's really excited about,” Seccull told SEN WA Breakfast.

“He's entered the draft, so he could sort of go anywhere in that regard if selected. Ultimately that’s what he would like to do (get picked up again).

“I've got no doubt he'll get back on an AFL list, it's just a matter of time.”

While things didn’t work out for the West Australian at Waverley Park, Seccull is certain his client can play at the top level, and he hopes that another AFL club can help him develop in a role that suits his skill set.

“Absolutely he can play,” Seccull said.

“I think it (what went wrong at Hawthorn) was a combination of developing him in his role, and not everything works out for all players.

“Coming through he was that third (defender) that would zone off and he was an incredible reader of the play.  Everyone knew that he had work to do on his fitness and his running capabilities, but his biggest asset was his ability to read the play, intercept and come off (his man).

“When he came down, they had that role pretty covered at the start with Sicily … so for them, it was mainly around developing him as that key defender that can take on bigger opponents.

“Denver was slight of frame, and he's taken a bit of time to develop that part of his body.  They then threw him forward for a bit and changed a few things up.

“Like many AFL stories, it was one of those ones where, you know, they're not always going to be a good fit. As it turns out, at Hawthorn he probably wasn't a good fit.”

Grainger-Barras’ most realistic hope of a career lifeline via the draft is through the Rookie Draft on November 22.