Steve Clifton is tackled by Brendan Whitecross of the Hawks during the round two NAB Cup AFL match between Hawthorn and Greater Western Sydney. PHOTO: Hamish Blair/Getty Images
NORTH Ballarat premiership player and VFL best and fairest Steve Clifton has been delisted.
Former North Ballarat Rebels player James McDonald has also announced his retirement after one year with the giants.
GWS lured the ex-Melbourne captain out of retirement as a player-assistant coach for its debut season in the AFL.
Clifton played five AFL games in an injury-interrupted season.
He was picked up in the 2012 rookie draft, playing with the Giants in the NEAFL last year.
Giants general manager Graeme Allan said delistings were always difficult decisions - "particularly so in the cases of outstanding young men like Steve and Tim who have been great people to have around our club."
"They were part of the inaugural playing list of the Giants and will always have a special place in the history of this club and we wish them every success for the future," he said.
McDonald, who originally comes from Waubra, retires after 264 AFL games.
He captained Melbourne in 2009-10, won the club's best and fairest in 2006-7 and was a member of the 2006 All-Australian team.
After being delisted by Melbourne at the end of 2010, he spent a year playing for Old Xaverians in the VAFA.
He played 13 games with the Giants this season.
