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A host of senior players - including Carlton's Eddie Betts - have been placed onto rookie lists after the AFL made a late rule change.

Carlton have praised the selflessness of Eddie Betts after the veteran became one of many AFL players to agree to go on to the rookie list.

A last-minute AFL rule tweak has allowed clubs to put two of their senior players on to the rookie list.

It not only gives the clubs flexibility in regards to their primary list but also salary cap relief, given $80,000 of a rookie's contract falls outside of the cap.

Matthew Kennedy has also been moved onto the Blues' rookie list.

Both Betts and Kennedy will continue to be available for senior selection throughout the 2021 season.

"We approached Eddie about the possibility of making this decision and as soon as Eddie knew how this opportunity would help the club he agreed straight away," Carlton's head of football Brad Lloyd said.

"Eddie's selfless act is another example of how committed he is to our football club, his teammates and his willingness to do whatever he can to help this group in its pursuit of success."

Gold Coast moved Jarrod Harbrow, Jack Hombsch, Jordan Murdoch and Zac Smith from the club's primary list on to the rookie list.

Greater Western Sydney big man Shane Mumford was moved onto the Giants' rookie list, while Daniel Lloyd and Callum Brown were handed fresh one-year deals.

The Giants delisted veteran defender Sam Reid after he spent the maximum three years on the rookie list, but the club committed to redrafting him in next month's rookie draft.

Second-year midfielder Jackson Hately delisted himself in a bid to join Adelaide in the pre-season draft.

The Western Bulldogs delisted Ben Cavarra, Will Hayes and Roarke Smith on Wednesday.

The Bulldogs made a commitment to re-draft Smith - who played six AFL games in 2020 - during December's draft period, and will consider the option of adding Cavarra and Hayes to the rookie list for 2021.

North Melbourne defender Ed Vickers-Willis became the 12th Kangaroos player to be delisted this year.

It takes North's total departures to 14 after Shaun Higgins was traded to Geelong and Ben Brown switched to Melbourne.

Collingwood released midfielder Rupert Wills and defender Flynn Appleby, and paid out the retiring Dayne Beams, who had two more years of his contract to run.

Brisbane defender Ryan Lester inked a two-year contract extension, while the club has committed to re-selecting Grant Birchall, Connor Ballenden and Rhys Mathieson in the rookie draft.

Lions defender Mitch Hinge is set to move to the Crows as a delisted free agent.

St Kilda handed Jack Lonie and Jake Carlisle new one-year deals, as well as retaining Category B rookie Sam Alabakis.

Geelong midfielder Sam Menegola agreed to a contract extension that will take him through to the end of the 2023 season.