Every AFL free agent: which players are staying, leaving and retiring?
AFL clubs will be clamouring for the hottest free agents at season’s end. JON RALPH runs the rule over all 50. WHO DO YOU WANT AT YOUR CLUB?
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THERE are 50 free agents among the AFL’s 18 clubs.
Who will stay, who will leave, and which players are hanging up the boots?
JON RALPH analyses all of this year’s restricted and unrestricted free agents.
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RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
Tom Rockliff (Brisbane Lions)
Seems more likely now to stay despite outside interest. Has a wife from far north Queensland and keen to retain his Lions links.
Nothing certain yet given someone who misses out on a star might throw crazy cash at him. But at least he has turned around perceptions of him and put himself in a position to receive the best offer.
David Zaharakis (Essendon)
The Bombers have offered him a new deal and given his past two months of footy has been exceptional he deserves it. Will stay at the club. But at least has given himself some leverage after a slow start to the year that just keeps getting better.
Hayden Ballantyne (Fremantle)
He has just eight goals in seven games but Ross Lyon has backed his position on the list given he is only 30.
“My position is I really value Hayden Ballantyne so that’s a pretty strong endorsement for Hayden,’’ he said recently.
Josh Gibson (Hawthorn)
Has yet to confirm his retirement as he battles a groin injury but won’t go on next year. Will retire a decorated champion.
Steven Motlop (Geelong Cats)
The Cats haven’t offered him a deal and won’t until the end of the year. They would love a rival to offer a free-agency deal that gives them a compensation pick.
Port Adelaide is interested but will that deal be good enough for them to get a second-round compensation pick?
Scott Thompson (North Melbourne)
The Roos are putting all contracts for senior players on hold given last year’s cluster-you-know-what.
But Thompson has played 18 very serviceable games and would be odds on to get another contract given his solid service.
Jackson Trengove (Port Adelaide)
The Power believe they will sign the handy utility in coming weeks after he told them he wanted to sign a new deal.
He has been on over $600,000 in his final year of his contract given it was heavily back-ended.
But Port Adelaide footy boss Chris Davies said of contracts with him and Jasper Pittard: “We’re really comfortable with where things are at at the moment and pleased that both of those players have suggested they want to stay at the footy club.”
Dustin Martin (Richmond)
His manager Ralph Carr says nothing is doing until the end of the year and CEO Brendon Gale says the club doesn’t know that there has been a breakthrough.
But everything now points to Martin staying on a deal of six or seven years at somewhere around $1.2 million a year.
His close mate Brendan Fevola says he wanted that extra year but is now happy to stay. Sydney is on record saying it isn’t interested in him and GWS privately says they don’t have anywhere near the salary cap room.
It means even the worst fears of Richmond — that he would request a trade to a NSW club to escape the Melbourne bubble — aren’t likely to be substantiated.
Martin is believed to be keen to rid this contract issue as a distraction before the finals, so who knows exactly when it gets done.
But signing a new long-term contract after Round 23 would be a massive boost of momentum.
Sam Reid (Sydney Swans)
Has this week signed a new four-year deal that sees him likely as a Swans player for life. Still not the perfect player but as a swingman who is a great mark and a solid source of goals, it was the smart move.
Now we see what happens with Kurt Tippett, who is contracted until 2020 on a deal of around $600,000 a year. Will a club push strongly for him if he can prove in finals he is still a player capable of turning matches.
Eric Mackenzie (West Coast).
Finishing a lucrative four-year deal and unwanted by rivals last year, he has played seven games since Round 11 and would be likely to get a one-year contract extension.
Allows Jeremy McGovern to play forward, isn’t a superstar any more but likely to survive the cull of players.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
Andy Otten (Adelaide Crows)
Has played 17 mostly excellent games as an unlikely forward target (19 goals) and utility after persistent knee issues.
There is speculation about someone else offering him a multi-year deal and while he’s not a key priority given their out of contract stars the most likely outcome is him staying on a something like a two-year deal.
Claye Beams (Brisbane)
The 25-year-old has played only six games this year and spent the last two months in the NEAFL. Would be keen to eke out another year but on the precipice.
Ryan Harwood (Brisbane Lions)
Played nine moderate games early in the year then two back in the NEAFL after a foot injury. At 26 the Lions will hope to build enough depth to not need him but could get another year.
Dennis Armfield (Carlton)
Retired this week as one of the AFL’s most popular players and team mates, having scraped every bit of quality footy out of his talents. Would be very proud.
Levi Casboult (Carlton)
An unrestricted free agent which means clubs like Richmond will be very keen to add a goalkicker who pinch-hits in the ruck without having to quibble over numbers or draft picks.
The Tigers or someone else would need to pay him around $600,000 and give him a three or four year deal.
But while he is limited in some capacities — he will never kick you 50 goals — he is exactly what a team like Richmond needs.
The best contested mark in the competition who can also give you 40 minutes in the ruck per game if you need it.
He wants a long-term deal and knows this is the final chance to set himself up financially.
And if Ty Vickery was worth three years and $500,000 a season at Hawthorn, Casboult is worth $600,000 a year later given the 20 per cent uptick in the TPP.
His manager denies he has locked in a deal with Richmond — which officially he isn’t allowed to anyway — but all signs point to them as the leading suitor.
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Matthew Kreuzer (Carlton)
Working on a deal which will keep him at Carlton. He isn’t going anywhere, and has a clause in his contract for an automatic extension but negotiations will result in a multi-year deal at better money than that contract allows.
He is just 28, has missed only one game and has put together clearly the best season of his career. And after 52 games in his past three years durability is improving too.
Who knows what money he will get but if he was handed a two-year deal on $600,000 a year or three year on $500,000 would that be about fair?
Kade Simpson (Carlton)
Will probably play on with another single-season deal after another strong year. But Carlton fans would feel his last month has been quieter, which might give him cause for contemplation at 33.
A brilliant 283 game career and the decision would have been easy six weeks back. But there are a few more shades of grey in this decision than at the mid-season point.
Simon White (Carlton)
The 29-year-old gives solid if unobtrusive service as a swingman who never finds the limelight. He has played 11 games as a defender and while he has been written off before he keeps surviving.
The Blues will have a decision to make at year’s end but given Kristian Jaksch will likely be moved on does he get one more year in case the Blues get more defensive injuries and Sam Rowe’s ACL takes longer to rehabilitate?
Tyson Goldsack (Collingwood)
Will sign a one-year extension after a brilliant return to form helped by the abatement of persistent injuries. His form along with the solid service of Lynden Dunn has allowed Ben Reid to go forward, where he is likely to stay next season. A much-loved character around the club who has missed only one game this year after heroically playing on despite a shoulder injury in the win over Fremantle.
Lachlan Keeffe (Collingwood)
Hasn’t had the breakout game in the VFL to see him given an AFL opportunity but has been solid in a full season in the VFL after two years out with a drug ban.
The feeling is he will get another one-year deal, especially as Jesse White has this week retired.
Ben Sinclair (Collingwood)
The 25-year-old has had his whole year wiped out by a serious hamstring injury after battling back from concussions that had jeopardised his AFL career.
Nathan Buckley loves his drive and determination but after just 63 games when do the Pies believe they need to give his spot to someone else.
Another popular teammate so a hard decision comes at the end of the year.
Josh Thomas (Collingwood)
Has hit form at the perfect time, playing the last six games as a strong-bodied midfielder who has also hit the scoreboard.
His six goals include the sealer in the win over Gold Coast and indications are the club not only will keep him but possibly on a two-year deal.
Many wondered why the Pies stuck fat with him and Keeffe but they have been rewarded with his best footy in recent weeks.
Brent Stanton (Essendon)
Just the seven AFL games this year — the most recent in Round 11 — so like Hocking and Howlett would be expected to retire.
But even if there have been only a handful of games this year it was important for the Bombers to re-sign them and important for them to play in a cathartic return to the AFL.
Heath Hocking (Essendon)
Just the single game in Round 3 for the rock-solid tagger who turns 30 in December. His career likely to end at 125 career games.
Ben Howlett (Essendon)
Six games for Howlett so far this year, with none of them over 16 disposals. The 28-year-old is in the same boat as Hocking, likely to be overtaken by the new breed of Essendon midfielders.
Jobe Watson (Essendon)
Retired on Wednesday in a perfectly timed decision that allows the footy world to celebrate his last three home-and-away games rather than wonder when that decision might be made.
Zac Clarke (Fremantle)
His future looks problematic given he signed a one-year deal with the club and then had his entire season wiped out by a knee injury.
Sean Darcy has become the heir apparent and Aaron Sandilands has signed a one-year deal.
Garrick Ibbotson (Fremantle)
Had a poor 2016 and then after 10 games of diminishing returns this year was dropped to the NEAFL and hasn’t played AFL since Round 11.
At age 29 he looks in trouble.
Michael Johnson (Fremantle)
Is coming off a two-season deal and would be likely to sign another one-year contract. Has had another solid if not eye-catching season and despite turning 33 in October will play on.
David Mundy (Fremantle)
Has trigged a games-based clause to allow him to play on into 2018 after playing a different role this year as a medium-sized marking forward. Has kicked 12 goals in 18 games and embraced the new challenge.
Nick Suban (Fremantle)
The talented utility was turfed out of the senior side after Round 2 along with some senior compatriots but finally worked his way back in for the Round 14 clash after solid Peel Thunder form.
He has been more than handy, so is some chance to extract another season of his career given his tackling pressure and booming left foot.
Josh Cowan (Geelong)
Mid-season surgery on his achilles tendon has likely signalled the end of his career after achilles and hamstring issues limited him to only 18 career games.
The Cats could not have been more patient but it looks like he will be let go to create room for the Cats to get back into the draft.
Tom Lonergan (Geelong)
The inspirational Cat approached this year as if it was his last and will sit down with Chris Scott and Steve Hocking to consider his future post-season.
He is probably leaning towards retirement but could easily be convinced to play on given the Cats don’t have a pure replacement at full back and his form is still strong.
Fresh off a thrashing of Lance Franklin last week.
Andrew Mackie (Geelong)
Expected to retire, but if he does it will be off the back of an extremely strong final year. Turned 33 this week but retains his offensive drive and defensive poise.
A triple premiership star who will stay in footy if he does move on from playing.
Daniel Menzel (Geelong)
Has finally been offered a contract by the Cats, presumably a two-year deal after being made to wait until the past few weeks.
At his best is a goalkicking star and is working on his tackling and defensive pressure. After four knee reconstructions, a new multi-year deal would be a victory for perseverance.
Shaun Burgoyne (Hawthorn)
He wants to go play on and Alastair Clarkson is keen for him to do so. He has no thoughts of retirement yet and could easily play on to break Adam Goodes’ record of 372 games.
Holds the current AFL record for consecutive games, testament to his durability. His brilliance has never been questioned.
Taylor Duryea (Hawthorn)
Keen to re-sign with the club after being recast as a defensive forward. Had fallen out of favour as a half back but has played the last 11 games. Will have to wait until season’s end to see what his future holds.
Ryan Schoenmakers (Hawthorn)
Hasn’t yet been offered a contract but after breaking back into the Hawthorn team has a knack of ekeing out scores — he has seven goals in his past four games.
If he isn’t offered another deal someone will likely snap him up as a 26-year-old premiership player capable of taking on selfless roles at both ends.
Jake Spencer (Melbourne)
Footy analyst David King says the Melbourne backup ruckman is the steal of the free agency pool.
Only played two games before succumbing to a shoulder injury when he had the opportunity to push his case for a bigger role. Back playing footy in the VFL.
Jack Trengove (Melbourne)
Only 25 but the former captain Trengove will hope he can hang on for another year. Played excellent VFL footy all year then got two chances against Port Adelaide and North Melbourne.
Was only solid in those contests. He will hope not to go the way of fellow co-captain Jack Grimes, who was delisted last year.
Lachlan Hansen (North Melbourne)
Played the first 12 games in defence then had been in the VFL since. At 28 will have to wait until the end of the year for a decision on his future.
But as a strong marking player capable of playing forward and back could yet get another year as a handy backup. Key position talls tend to be survivors.
Jasper Pittard (Port Adelaide)
North Melbourne dispelled rumours they were prepared to offer him mega bucks over a long term deal. Now Port Adelaide says he has told them he wants to stay and they are eager to contract him.
But until that happens the quick left footer will continue be linked to clubs like Essendon who need to inject more pace into their side.
Sam Gilbert (St Kilda)
Turns 31 next week but could to get another deal as a rangy and underrated defender who fills gaps with his adaptability in the backline.
If Sean Dempster had played on and Hugh Goddard had emerged as a centre half back he might have been nudged into retirement.
But if he is fit he is still picked every week.
Leigh Montagna (St Kilda)
Seems likely to retire alongside Nick Riewoldt, with his hamstring strain likely to keep him out for the rest of the year.
The decision will likely be made easier by the emergence of Brandon White, with St Kilda keen to give Bailey Rice chances in coming years.
He is yet to announce his decision either way.
Jarrad McVeigh (Sydney)
Has slotted back into his regular role as a defensive sweeper with aplomb in recent weeks. He is keen to play on but the Swans might instead offer him an assistant coach role.
Has had exactly 21 possessions in each of the past four weeks. Someone might offer him another year elsewhere but would seem unlikely to play at another club.
Sam Butler (West Coast)
Has been only moderate as a 31-year-old and had been dropped to the WAFL by mid-season. Then against the Dogs he ripped his hamstring and has missed four weeks.
Will likely be part of the exodus that Adam Simpson requires.
Mark LeCras (West Coast)
Happy to make a decision on his future at the end of the season. The Eagles have withstood calls for him to be dropped — never to return — and he kicked three goals against the Saints last start.
Turns 31 later this month and you would suspect if Adam Simpson is regenerating the list he would be less likely to keep LeCras on.
Matthew Boyd (Western Bulldogs)
Retired this week as a proud Bulldogs warrior. Would be happy he went on for one more season but unhappy to play so much VFL footy. Such is life.
Dale Morris (Western Bulldogs)
Is keen to play on next year despite breaking his arm and his manager Scott Lucas says the Dogs are open to that decision. Maybe if they lured Jake Lever from Adelaide that might influence the decision.
But despite repeated collision injuries this year — a leg, ankle and arm — his form remains strong despite his age (34).
Bob Murphy (Western Bulldogs)
No word yet from Bob, who says he will make a decision after the season. It goes without saying he would retire with a flag, but you get the feeling as a pragmatist he would know he has perhaps lost half a step since coming back from the second knee reco.
And his body is starting to let him down a fraction with some hamstring injuries emerging and his knee sore from his AFL reconstruction.
“That decision I have got to make is probably coming around pretty soon,” the 35-year-old told Fox Footy this week.
Originally published as Every AFL free agent: which players are staying, leaving and retiring?
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