Who’s coming out of contract at your club?
As we approach the midday point of the season, there’s key contract calls at every club and a host of players without deals beyond 2023.
Below foxsports.com.au has ran through every club’s most intriguing players set to come off contract this year.
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ADELAIDE CROWS
The big watch at West Lakes is on restricted free agent Tom Doedee, especially after the Victorian-born defender missed out on the captaincy in favour of Jordan Dawson. There’d no doubt be a host of suitors lining up for the 26-year old Doedee — a former Geelong Falcons product. Taylor Walker’s good form will have earned the 33-year old another year — possibly two, while fellow unrestricted free agent Matt Crouch remains out of favour, having yet to play a senior game this season.
BRISBANE LIONS
After assessing his options and weighing up the potential of returning home to Western Australia at the end of last season, it was somewhat surprising Deven Robertson opted to stay at Brisbane given he only played eight games last year and with the club’s off-season recruits set to make opportunities more scarce. The Eagles make sense as a destination for Robertson, but Victorian clubs are also expected to pursue the 21-year old. other Veterans Daniel Rich and Dayne Zorko are both eligible for free agency, on the wrong side of 30 and battling soft tissue injuries.
Payne enjoying extended Lions run | 01:56
CARLTON
He’s one of the most talked about and sought-after players given his immense potential, and Tom De Koning’s intriguing situation has taken another turn after he’s fallen out of the Blues’ senior side in recent weeks. According to AFL journalist Damian Barrett, it’s now “unlikely” De Koning stays at Ikon Park as rival clubs including Sydney and St Kilda circle. Other teams could surely make bigger offers to the 22-year old De Koning than Carlton can afford too amid a salary cap squeeze at the Blues after they’ve locked away a host of their key stars. Jack Silvagni is eligible for free agency, while Mitch McGovern’s lucrative deal is due to expire and Nic Newman is also without a deal for 2024.
COLLINGWOOD
Stars Jack Crisp and Jeremy Howe are officially listed as restricted free agents, but have already re-signed. Club champions Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom are also out of contract, and although in the twilight of their careers, have been two of its most important players in 2023. The Herald Sun reports John Noble is in line for a multi-year extension, while rival clubs are monitoring the status of Ash Johnson. Mason Cox is eligible for restricted free agency, too.
Collingwood issues an apology to Buddy | 03:40
ESSENDON
The Bombers have two of the biggest names eligible for free agency in Darcy Parish and Mason Redman. The Cats have been linked to Parish — a former Geelong Falcon product — while the star midfielder recently admitted Essendon’s positive direction under new coach Brad Scott is “absolutely” starting to persuade him to remain at the club. Meanwhile Redman is due for a hefty pay rise as multiple reports state the Crows are eyeing the running defender. Dyson Heppell can enter unrestricted free agency, while Ben Hobbs and Brandon Zerk-Thatcher are also out of contract. Rival clubs will no doubt be keeping tabs on Hobbs, a former first-round pick who’s struggled for regular senior opportunities this year.
FREMANTLE
The most intriguing player to watch at the Dockers is club champion and dual Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe after injuries have curtailed the veteran is recent years and seen his role diminish in Justin Longmuir’s side. Turning 32 this year and in his twilight days, it’s led to speculation Fyfe could depart Freo at season’s end and even reunite with Ross Lyon at St Kilda. The Western Bulldogs, Brisbane, Collingwood, Melbourne, Geelong and Carlton are other clubs in the premiership window or close enough to that could take a look at him as well. Michael Walters, Lachie Schultz, Josh Treacy and Liam Henry, who over the pre-season was linked to the Demons, are also set to come out of contract.
Premiership window revisited – Round 8 | 01:12
GEELONG CATS
Seven 2022 premiership players — Brad Close, Gary Rohan, Gryan Miers, Isaac Smith, Rhys Stanley, Tom Hawkins and Zach Tuohy — are out of contract, and while there’s no indication any would consider departing, it helps the club stay flexible in the trade market. Esava Ratugolea’s deal is also set to expire amid a promising season from the 24-year old in a new role down back. AFL Media reports Ratugolea, who was pursued by Port Adelaide last trade period and has also been linked to Brisbane, is happy to hold off contract talks for now.
GOLD COAST SUNS
Ben King’s future has been a hot topic, but the star forward’s deal doesn’t expire until the end of next season. In terms of this year, Gold Coast doesn’t have any key players set to come off its books. Jeremy Sharp had interest from Fremantle last year before ultimately staying put as one to keep an eye on. Levi Casboult, Alex Sexton, Jy Farar and Malcolm Rosas are also due to come out of contract.
GWS GIANTS
Rival clubs will be lining up for Harrison Himmelberg’s services should he wish to test restricted free agency. Sydney, Richmond and Brisbane have all been linked to the in-demand swingman, while new GWS coach Adam Kingsley said the club was “fully confident” of retaining the 26-year old as an “enormous priority” for the club. Beyond Himmelberg, former first-round pick Xavier O’Halloran,who’s previously drawn interest from rivals, Jake Riccardi, who’s been in and out of the senior side, Lachie Ash and Braydon Preuss are also out of contract, while Callan Ward can become an unrestricted free agent.
Roos skipper fined for throwing GPS! | 00:33
HAWTHORN
After offloading Tom Mitchell and Jaeger O’Meara last year to fast track their rebuild, could the Hawks be prepared to do the same with Chad Wingard? The small forward has had interest from other clubs previously. James Worpel is meanwhile in the midst of a bounce-back season in the midfield and should be a priority re-signing given he provides invaluable experience in an otherwise inexperienced on-ball group. Max Lynch is an interesting one to watch too given the Hawks added Lloyd Meek, while mature-aged pick-up Fergus Greene has surely earned another deal amid a solid first season at the club. The recent re-signing of Will Day on a new four-year deal despite interest from the South Australian clubs was a big win.
MELBOURNE
Kysaiah Pickett was clearly the big one Melbourne needed to lock away amid interest from multiple clubs, and the Dees did just that last week after the star forward penned a fresh four-year deal. Beyond Pickett, Kade Chandler is suddenly the next biggest priority for Melbourne, with the South Australian small forward in the midst of a breakout season as the club’s second-highest goalkicker. Jake Melksham, James Jordon and Michael Hibberd are also due come out of contract, so too Luke Dunstan, who’s now set to miss over a month with a medial ligament strain.
NORTH MELBOURNE
Ben McKay is set to be one of the most sought-after free agents this off-season for clubs looking to beef up their key position stocks. Port Adelaide and Carlton have been linked to McKay, where the latter could pair him with twin brother Harry as a contingency plan if Tom De Koning departs. Roos veterans Todd Goldstein and Jack Ziebell can become unrestricted free agents, but both have been fiercely loyal to North Melbourne throughout their careers.
“I’m embarrassed for the game” – Robbo | 01:22
PORT ADELAIDE
The fascinating watch is on Western Australian forward Mitch Georgiades, who’s previously been linked to both clubs from his homestate. With Georgiades set to miss the rest of the season due to injury and thus out of the picture at Port, speculation will likely only grow on his potential move. Miles Bergman has also stepped up this season on the wing following the departure of Karl Amon as a player the club would be keen to retain amid rival interest. The Power are in a transitional period with several veterans set to come out of contract including Charlie Dixon, Scott Lycett, Travis Boak, Trent McKenzie and skipper Tom Jonas.
RICHMOND
West Australian defender and restricted free agent Nathan Broad is reportedly being courted by the Eagles, according to AFL journalist Damian Barrett. Given Broad has already won three flags at the Tigers, could he be tempted by a big rival offer? Dylan Grimes and Kamdyn McIntosh can become free agents and Toby Nankervis, Noah Balta and Jack Graham and also out of contract. It leaves uncertainty around several key pillars in Richmond’s defence. Club legends Trent Cotchin and Jack Riewoldt remain without deals too as theyapproach the end of their careers, even though the latter leads the Tigers’ goalkicking.
’90-10′ split behind Dons’ rise | 01:37
ST KILDA
Jade Gresham headlines a host of key Saints set to hit the market in a list that includes Hunter Clark, Mason Wood, Seb Ross, Zak Jones and Liam Stocker. Given the much-improved club’s direction under Ross Lyon, you’d have to think it’ll help it retain such names, with Wood set for a bumper pay increase amid a career-best season on the wing where he’s been ranked a top 10 player in the competition by Champion Data. Clark meanwhile had interest from North Melbourne last off-season before ultimately staying put. The Age reports Hawthorn is expected to be a key suitor for restricted free agent Gresham and would have enough funds to outbid other contenders for his services.
SYDNEY SWANS
The Swans would be keen to lock away Joel Amartey as the obvious long-term replacement for Lance Franklin, who’s likely to retire at season’s end. Interest from rival clubs in Amartey is expected to ramp up after he’s impressed in limited senior opportunities in 2023. Hayden Mclean has previously drawn interest from rival teams as another priority re-signing for Sydney. Tom Hickey and Sam Reid have been hampered by injuries this year and remain without deals for 2024, while Dane Rampe is eligible for free agency.
Swans rallying around star man Buddy | 01:37
WEST COAST EAGLES
There’s been calls in recent years for the Eagles to shop their veterans in a bid to bring in draft capital, and the club might’ve missed its window of opportunity. Jake Waterman is perhaps the most interesting player coming out of contract amid a career-best season where he’s helped fill the void up forward left by Josh Kennedy. Jeremy McGovern has reportedly agreed to an extension that’ll help West Coast be aggressive on the trade market, while Luke Shuey, Jamie Cripps and Shannon Hurn are all eligible for unrestricted free agency, with the latter expected to hang up the boots.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
You sense other clubs will continue to ask the question of Jordon Sweet, who’s shown plenty in the past but is stuck behind the clear No. 1 ruckman in the game in Tim English at Whitten Oval. Anthony Scott has had some bright spots at senior level too but has struggled with consistency. There’s no real marquee names coming out of contract for the Dogs, but rather a host of players that the club will spend the remainder of the season working out if they’re part of the future.
