AFL trades: Rory Sloane, Tom Lynch, Luke Dahlhaus top 2018 free agency pool

JAKE Lever and Charlie Cameron are gone and Rory Sloane is putting off contract talks. Should the Crows be worried? JAY CLARK on Sloane's big dilemma. TOP 10 FREE AGENTS.

Rory Sloane in action for Adelaide.

RORY Sloane has the chance to make a stand for his footy club.

The big decision facing Adelaide’s ultra-courageous ball-winner right now is the most intriguing in the game.

Out of contract at the end of next year, the tough midfielder headlines a bumper 2018 free agency pool along with Gold Coast spearhead Tom Lynch and West Coast running machine Andrew Gaff.

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Lynch already has clubs queuing up out the door for him and could attract the biggest offer in the game’s history to return home to Victoria.

The goalkicker desperately wants to help revive the Suns’ fortunes, but if they can’t get their act together under new coach Stuart Dew, it will be adios amigo.

Western Bulldogs’ free agents Luke Dahlhaus and Tom Liberatore won’t be in a rush to sign new deals either after down years, like many of their teammates at the kennel, in 2017.

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But Sloane, 27, Lynch, 25, and Gaff, 25, are the big money men.

And unlike Patrick Dangerfield’s situation two years ago, perhaps the biggest worry for Adelaide is that Sloane is an unrestricted free agent.

It means Adelaide won’t be able to match any deals from rival clubs. The Eastern Ranges product can go straight to wherever he wants, including back home to Victoria, without the argy bargy of a trade.

The Crows would be desperate for Sloane to recommit for the long term and stop the rot after a series of gun player departures.

Rory Sloane will be in demand next season. Picture: Mark Stewart

Rival clubs will make huge offers to Tom Lynch.

It’s hard not to think the Crows have a problem on this front. Patrick Dangerfield, Jack Gunston, Bernie Vince, Phil Davis, Kurt Tippett and Nathan Bock all left, followed by Jake Lever and Charlie Cameron in this year's trade period.

Retired Adelaide midfielder Scott Thompson said while the moves had been “outstanding for their own careers”, he admitted “there has to be something there (as to) why players continue to leave.”

Crows’ list manager Justin Reid was more positive.

“There are a lot of players who have bought into the team-first environment and a lot of players who have come to the football club as well,” Reid said.

“We are not getting caught up in that because we know we are a good football club and we will stand by what we do.”

It felt like a frosty press call, but the Crows have a lot on.

While the Crows would want to get a contract under Sloane’s nose pronto, and perhaps take advantage of the emotion in the current situation, you wouldn’t blame the player for taking his time on his next deal.

Luke Dahlhaus is a free agent at the end of next season. Picture: Michael Klein

The tactic certainly worked for Richmond superstar Dustin Martin, whose price skyrocketed from somewhere near $800,000 to $1.25 million a year last season.

St Kilda would love to get their hands on Sloane and Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley is a huge fan, too. The No. 44 draft pick has finished seventh and fourth in the past two Brownlow Medals.

Of course, Sloane loves the Crows. But when it comes to family matters these days, the players have the power.

Ace Melbourne ruckman Max Gawn and Richmond defender Dylan Grimes weren’t included in the Herald Sun’s top-10 list as they are certainties to re-sign at their clubs.

MOST WANTED: TOP 10 2018 FREE AGENCY TARGETS

1. Tom Lynch (GC)

Hawthorn, Richmond and Collingwood lead the chase. Big job for Stuart Dew to lift Suns off the canvas.

2. Rory Sloane (Adel)

Ultra-courageous (Victorian) midfielder faces a big decision. Adelaide has to act now.

3. Andrew Gaff (WC)

Has long been linked to a move home to Victoria. Elite wingman would be cream on the cake at a number of clubs.

4. Marc Murphy (Carl)

Embedded at the Blues, we expect the skipper to re-sign. But compensation pick could be early first-round if he did leave.

5. Jeremy McGovern (WC)

Should stay in the west but Fremantle could make a play after missing out on his brother, Mitch.

6. Luke Dahlhaus (WB)

The midfield-forward wasn’t at his best in 2017 and will try and re-establish his contract value early next year.

7. Tom Liberatore (WB)

Like Dahlhaus, Liberatore’s status as an elite midfielder was challenged this season. Dogs want to see elite standards.

8. Ben Reid (Coll)

Don’t see him leaving after regaining full faith in his body. Pies light on for key position players as it is.

9. Tom McDonald (Mel)

Took his time re-signing last year and is still a key pillar for the Dees. Can play anywhere these days.

10. Shaun Atley (NM)

The Roos will have to be creative and open-minded as they try and rebuild the list as quickly as possible. Atley has speed.

OUTSIDE TOP 10

Alex Fasolo (Coll), Cameron Guthrie (Geel), Dylan Grimes (Rich), Jordan Roughead (WB)

Originally published as AFL trades: Rory Sloane, Tom Lynch, Luke Dahlhaus top 2018 free agency pool