Free agency may be a fizzer in 2017 as Jon Ralph reveals the free agents available to your club

THERE are a handful of enticing names on the AFL’S free agency list but this year’s upcoming exchange period shapes as another fizzer. JON RALPH on the likely moves.

THE AFL’s much-vaunted free agency period will again be a huge fizzer with only a handful of star players up for grabs.

The league released a star-studded list of 60 available players in March with speculation matchwinners Nathan Fyfe and Dustin Martin would change clubs.

OVER: TIGERS PURSUIT OF SCHACHE

But the AFL’s 20 per cent salary cap rise and the determination of clubs to sign up theirs stars early have combined to again turn free agency into an anticlimax.

Last year only four players eventually signed up with rivals in the free agency period — Ty Vickery, Daniel Wells, Chris Mayne and Nathan Brown.

This year’s initial free agency period runs from Friday October 6 to Wednesday October 18, with clubs having three days to match restricted free agency bids.

Tom Rockliff is eyeing a new home. Picture: AAP

There are just four restricted free agents — Brisbane’s Tom Rockliff, Geelong’s Steven Motlop, Port Adelaide’s Jackson Trengove and North Melbourne’s Scott Thompson.

North Melbourne has tabled Thompson a one-year deal he seems certain to accept.

Of the 11 unrestricted free agents — players whose clubs cannot match rival bids — only Daniel Menzel would be of interest to rivals.

He has been offered a modest one-year deal at the Cats, who seem likely to clear the decks in anticipation of bids for Gary Ablett and potentially Jake Stringer.

Lachlan Keeffe and Josh Thomas will hope for new deals at Collingwood and Taylor Duryea is being made to wait for a new contract at Hawthorn.

He spent the second half of the year playing as a defensive forward and kicked six goals in the final nine games.

Steven Motlop’s future remains clouded. Pic: Michael Klein

The AFL continues to push earlier free agency as a possible solution for greater player movement.

It believes if restricted free agency were available at six seasons more players would take the plunge and head to clubs on the march up the ladder heading towards finals success.

Free agency for delisted players has been the biggest success story, allowing players the ability to easily get to the club of their choice.

Last year Michael Barlow, Ricky Henderson and Josh Green all signed up with new clubs as delisted free agents.

The AFLPA is also pushing for free agency for players after four years if they are on less than the median wage of around $200,000.

It believes players starved of opportunities should be able to get to new clubs much easier.

The league will this year introduce one new free agency proposal for 2018, which could include allowing players who hit free agency to keep that right for their entire career when out of contract.

Rockliff is meeting with Carlton and Port Adelaide this week and would have to take a pay cut to stay at Brisbane.

Motlop, who put off talks with Geelong as a free agent, is seen as likely to be heading to Port Adelaide despite Chris Scott’s pleas for him to stay.

Jackson Trengove is expected to land at the Western Bulldogs after being overlooked for Port Adelaide’s elimination finals side.

Several players already delisted including Melbourne pair Jake Spencer and Jack Trengove still hold out hope of new homes.

Originally published as Free agency may be a fizzer in 2017 as Jon Ralph reveals the free agents available to your club