AFL Free Agents list: The latest news on every name to watch in 2024

There are some big names among the 115 AFL free agents in 2024. Who will stay? Who will be lured away on a big-money deal? JON RALPH has the full list, plus insider news.

St Kilda’s Josh Battle, North Melbourne’s Cam Zurhaar and Sydney’s Will Hayward are in line for massive pay days as the AFL released its official list of free agents on Tuesday.

There are nine restricted free agents among the 115 free agents on the list, which means they are in the top 25 per cent of paid players on a list and can have their club match any rival bid.

Those nine restricted free agents are Brisbane’s Hugh McCluggage and Jarrod Berry, Gold Coast’s Ben Ainsworth, Dogs tall Tim English, Hawthorn’s Blake Hardwick, Zurhaar, Hayward, Essendon’s Andy McGrath and Geelong captain Patrick Dangerfield.

This masthead revealed the free agency list in October, with Tom Stewart handing away his free agency rights for a new deal but 12 Cats are still listed as free agents.

The Cats are expected to re-sign Dangerfield mid-season but are in no rush as he and manager Paul Connors assess his future.

McCluggage told this masthead this year he wanted to sign a new long-term deal at the Lions but, with rival suitors, he will want to secure his financial future.

English is keen to stay at the Western Bulldogs on a six or seven-year deal likely to top $1 million a season with talks continuing.

Cam Zurhaar is one of nine restricted free agents in 2024. Picture: Jason McCawley/AFL Photos

Gold Coast’s Ben Ainsworth wants to stay but given the lack of quality medium forwards on the free agency market, there is a chance they could be blown out of the water by a rival bid.

Richmond’s Dustin Martin is now likely to put off talks until year’s end, according to manager Ralph Carr, so his future will be a talking point as the Tigers battle to a 0-3 start to the season.

Sydney’s Ollie Florent is keen to remain at the Swans if a deal can be done, but there is no significant progress yet as his club attempts to sign Errol Gulden, Logan McDonald, James Rowbottom and Will Hayward.

Adelaide-raised Hayward has started the season with five goals in three weeks and has significant interest from clubs including those in South Australia as he plays a more expansive role after being a more team-oriented role-playing forward.

South Australian Will Hayward is another. Picture: Matt King/AFL Photos

Melbourne’s Adam Tomlinson could again draw rival interest given he was dropped after a strong round 1 showing, as a 30-year-old who can play multiple positions.

McGrath is keen to remain a Bomber and, while he is no longer an inside mid, the Dons are likely to reward his exceptional leadership and play at half back with a hefty long-term deal.

Hawthorn is confident their long-term association with Irishman Conor Nash and his key role as a big-bodied midfielder will see him re-sign as an unrestricted free agent.

Richmond’s Dion Prestia is keen to sign another new deal early in the year but his latest tendon-related hamstring issue will make it hard to push his case for an early extension.

His teammate Jack Graham will also have suitors as a hard-running midfielder given he is an unrestricted free agent who can choose his destination without the Tigers matching his deal.

St Kilda is well down the track with Battle on a new long-term deal, and, given he is an unrestricted free agent, he will draw a significant pay rise.

Adelaide’s unrestricted free agent Elliott Himmelberg is likely to, again, attempt to move to Greater Western Sydney but Aaron Cadman’s emergence as a genuine tall prospect could complicate that move.

Collingwood is open to Scott Pendlebury signing a new one-year extension, with the Pies ex-skipper and Jeremy Howe both unrestricted free agents.

Originally published as AFL Free Agents list: The latest news on every name to watch in 2024