With clubs planning their list strategies years in advance, it’s no surprise some are already casting an eye over the potential free agents of 2024, hoping to put any doubts about their future to bed before pre-agents qualify for free agency.
There’s rightly a lot of focus on the free agency class of 2023 and shoring up tenures for those players, but as we’ve learned over several years, it’s never too early to start planning even further ahead.
Foxfooty.com.au breaks down the key players set to qualify for free agency in 2024, which could play a part in contract talks throughout 2023.
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Crows banking on big game experience | 01:34
ADELAIDE CROWS
He won’t qualify for free agency – and it seems strange to say given where he was at the end of 2019 after getting delisted by the Brisbane Lions – but Ben Keays is a crucial part of the Crows’ engine room and has to be the focus of discussions. The Crows extended his existing deal (until the end of 2022) by two years at the end of 2021 and he has only grown in stature since then. At 25, he’s a vital stopgap between the older midfielders and the younger. Elliott Himmelberg penned a two-year contract extension this season but it remains to be seen just how valuable he’ll be by the end of next year as his restricted free agency year looms in 2024.
BRISBANE LIONS
The Lions have some important players coming out of contract at the end of 2024. Hugh McCluggage penned a three-year contract extension that will run out at the close of 2024 and he is as vital a player as any to the Lions’ setup. He’ll be 26 by that time and will qualify for restricted free agency. It’s easy to see clubs coming hard at the Victorian. Pure wingers are hard to come by and few play the role as well as McCluggage has so far in his career. He’ll very likely only get better. Zac Bailey won’t qualify for free agency but is another who has shown immense potential and whose next contract is very likely to be extremely lucrative if he continues his current progression. Jarrod Berry penned a four-year extension beyond 2020 and will qualify for restricted free agency also. He seems to be growing in output with each passing year.
CARLTON
There’s not much to speak about for Carlton. None of its players who are set to come out of contract qualify for free agency and those that could’ve have been signed to long-term deals already. Among those who are coming out of contract are Jack Martin, Matt Owies and Corey Durdin.
COLLINGWOOD
One of the most promising players in the game is set to qualify for restricted free agency, that being Josh Daicos. This season was clearly his best yet as he made the wing his own and by the end of 2024 he’ll be 26 and right in the sweet spot of his career. Needless to say his signature will be highly sought-after by the club and by rivals. It would take some effort to lure him out given his Collingwood pedigree and the fact he plays alongside his younger brother Nick. Will Hoskin-Elliott is another restricted free agent, while Taylor Adams is unrestricted. Among the non-free agents are Jack Ginnivan, Patrick Lipinski and Nathan Kreuger.
ESSENDON
Andrew McGrath is the restricted free agent of note and the Bombers would surely want to keep him on the books given his leadership on and off the field as well as the mountain of work put into him since being taken with the first pick in the 2016 draft. As with a lot of things at Essendon, McGrath’s future might hinge on how successful and stable this new Brad Scott era proves in its early days.
FREMANTLE DOCKERS
When it comes to potential free agents at the Dockers, Sean Darcy is unquestionably the biggest (pardon the pun). The 24-year-old still has more development in him as a ruckman but already looms as one of the most damaging big men in the competition. Key to Darcy’s satisfaction at the Dockers as well as his level of performance will be how well he can balance responsibilities with Luke Jackson, who comes in as a marquee recruit with plenty of upside. Getting the forward/ruck split right will be crucial and it will be fascinating to see how Darcy and Jackson fare together. Brennan Cox is the other name of note and he has quickly become one of the Dockers’ best defenders and most important players.
GEELONG CATS
There’s lots of talent coming out of contract at the end of 2024, but it’s whittled down a bit when you consider the likelihood Patrick Dangerfield, Mitch Duncan and Cameron Guthrie are more likely to retire at that stage than move elsewhere to play on. Brandan Parfitt will be a restricted free agent and much will depend on how much of a foothold he gets in the senior side over the next couple of seasons. One veteran who will likely play on is Tom Stewart and he’s set to remain a vital part of the side. Others like Jack Henry and Zach Guthrie have become important parts of the lineup and will also be key re-signings to aim for.
GOLD COAST SUNS
The Suns are currently in a good spot when it comes to 2024 free agents. David Swallow and Sean Lemmens will both be unrestricted free agents but they likely aren’t going anywhere, ditto restricted free agent Jarrod Witts. Ben Ainsworth and Darcy Macpherson will also qualify for free agency. Both could attract some interest. He’s not a free agent, but once again the future of Ben King will loom large over the Suns if his contract isn’t extended before then. He hasn’t wavered in recommitting to the club in his last two contracts and clearly believes in the side’s progression.
GWS GIANTS
Like fellow expansion side Gold Coast, the Giants are looking pretty well settled from a contract point of view when it comes to 2024. Key among the names to watch is Isaac Cumming, who has proved a valuable addition to the backline with considerable rebounding abilities. Harry Perryman will also be a free agent, but the former pick No.14 hasn’t truly set the competition alight just yet.
HAWTHORN
You can’t say Hawthorn hasn’t invested in its youth. The off-season veteran cull at the end of this year means the Hawks are all-in on this young brigade. Restricted free agents here are Blake Hardwick, Conor Nash and Harry Morrison. Changkuoth Jiath isn’t a free agent but likely attract interest given the promise he has shown thus far in his career, ditto Denver Grainger-Barras.
MELBOURNE
The Dees have a fair few names coming out of contract at the end of 2024, but things aren’t looking too bad on the free agency front. Tom McDonald will be approaching his mid-30s, while James Harmes (unrestricted free agent) and Joel Smith (restricted) are the only other names. There’s a fair bit of talent in the non-free agent list, including Ed Langdon, Jake Lever and Jake Bowey, but ultimately the Dees won’t be fretting too much just yet having already locked away so many of their core stars long-term.
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NORTH MELBOURNE
There’s a bit to deal with here for the Kangaroos. Jy Simpkin should be at the forefront of this planning. The 24-year-old looks like a lock for the captaincy in the future and is fantastic on the field, winning his second consecutive best and fairest in 2022. Rumours kept rearing their head that Cameron Zurhaar was set to leave the club this season, but the arrival of Alastair Clarkson and the prospect of a fresh start helped get him to re-sign. He’s certainly one to watch along with Nick Larkey, who are both huge parts of the club’s future moving forward and ones the club will hope to lock in sooner rather than later.
PORT ADELAIDE
From a free agency point of view, Todd Marshall and Willem Drew will both qualify at the end of 2024. Marshall flourished in 2022 and looks to have turned the corner as a footballer, while there have been good signs from Willem Drew as he enters his 25th year. Re-signing Marshall will be a key focus. In a non-free agency sense there are some big names, with Aliir Aliir and Connor Rozee key among them, while Jeremy Finlayson has also proven himself to be a great performer when given the keys to the ruck on a more regular basis.
RICHMOND
Dustin Martin will be an unrestricted free agent, but there is plenty of water to go under the bridge between now and the close of 2024 and his extremely lucrative contract. Much depends on whether he can overcome the injury niggles that plagued him this year, as well as simply his enjoyment for the game in which he has accomplished everything there is to accomplish. Ivan Soldo is another unrestricted free agent, but Tigers fans may well be happy just to see him still at Tigerland given there was a chance he was heading to the Giants as part of a deal for Jacob Hopper. Dion Prestia is a restricted free agent but is likely to either retire or stay put. Liam Baker, Noah Cumberland and Ben Miller headline the list of non-free agents.
ST KILDA
A breakout season in 2022 with a move to halfback has made Jack Sinclair a player of vital importance to the Saints. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent at the end of 2024 and is coming off a year in which he was selected as All-Australian and won the side’s best and fairest. Josh Battle will also come out of contract and should be a priority given his capabilities in the back 50. Tim Membrey is the only other free agent.
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SYDNEY SWANS
There isn’t a whole heap to be concerned about for the Swans in 2024. Robbie Fox, Harry Cunningham, Will Hayward and Ollie Florent would all be good to keep obviously but it’s far from alarm bells at the moment given how well the side’s list build seems to be progressing. Errol Gulden won’t be a free agent but his signature will be sought after, not to mention Logan McDonald and Nick Blakey. Paddy McCartin won’t be going anywhere and they’ll be keen to keep tough nut James Rowbottom.
WEST COAST EAGLES
There could be a bit of change at the Eagles in 2024, let alone next year. Andrew Gaff will come to the end of his lucrative four-year extension and will be an unrestricted free agent along with Elliot Yeo, Liam Duggan and Nic Naitanui. There’s also Josh Rotham as a restricted free agent. Non-free agents are Bailey Williams, Harry Edwards and Liam Ryan. The first two of those should be the priority moving forward given where the list is at and the need to regenerate.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
As things stand, it won’t be an enviable 2024 for list manager Sam Power and the powers that be at Whitten Oval. They’ll have to figure out how to keep all of Aaron Naughton, Bailey Smith, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Tim English, the latter of whom is a restricted free agent. If all four of those names continue developing like they are, they are going to be some of the most sought-after players in the game. It’s a tough balancing act, albeit a good problem to have. Jason Johannisen will be an unrestricted free agent but looks set to finish his career at the Dogs despite trade talks this off-season.
