AFL free agency news 2022: Every deal as it happens and free agent period explained

Luke Jackson isn’t the only Demon heading west, with Jayden Hunt on the cusp of a move to Western Australia. Get the latest free agency news here.

AFL free agency.

AFL free agency officially kicks off at 9am on Friday morning.

Who are the players who will move first?

Stay up to date on all the big deals in our live coverage below.

HUNT SET FOR WEST COAST SWITCH

Matt Turner

Melbourne speedster Jayden Hunt appears set to land at West Coast.

Hunt is an unrestricted free agent and, having met Eagles coach Adam Simpson this week, he is reportedly on the verge of heading to Perth on a three-year deal.

The 27-year-old has played 114 games for the Demons, including 20 this past season.

He missed out on their 2021 flag success after sustaining an ankle injury.

West Coast, which finished second-last with a 2-20 record this year, could use his speed.

Melbourne drafted Hunt with pick 57 in the 2013 national draft.

Meanwhile, Channel 7 is reporting Hunt’s Melbourne teammate Toby Bedford will request a switch to GWS Giants after also being stuck on the fringes this year.

Bedford was listed in 16 matches this year but was regularly used as the Demons’ medical sub.

The free agency period runs until this Friday.

Jayden Hunt is poised to join West Coast as a free agent.

FIRST DOMINO FALLS AS AMON JOINS HAWKS

Hawthorn has taken its first major step in its midfield overhaul for next season landing damaging Port Adelaide wingman Karl Amon.

Amon, 27, officially became a Hawk on Friday morning after signing a four-year-deal as an unrestricted free agent, meaning he costs the Hawks nothing in a trade to join the club.

The move has been on the cards for months and is expected to net the Power a second-round compensation draft pick, currently 27, based on his $600,000-a year salary and his age.

Importantly, Amon will add some much-needed speed and sharp ball use on the wing as coach Sam Mitchell looks to rejuvenate Hawthorn’s engine room.

Brownlow Medallist Tom Mitchell wants to move to Collingwood but the deal will hinge on the Hawks accepting a mid-round draft pick and paying some of his salary.

Hawthorn list manager Mark McKenzie said he was thrilled to land Amon in what was the first signing of the league’s free agency period for 2022.

He topped Port’s Brownlow Medal votes with 15 this season and averaged 24 disposals a game.

“We are thrilled to officially welcome Karl to Hawthorn,” McKenzie said.

“It’s pleasing to hear Karl indicate his decision to commit to the club was based around the positive direction of the organisation and the exciting brand of football being developed.

Karl Amon has joined Hawthorn. Picture: Sarah Reed

“He is an incredibly gifted athlete and can be damaging by foot.

“With more than 100 games under his belt, we believe his skillset and experience will complement our young and developing list.”

Brisbane’s Dan McStay will join Collingwood as an unrestricted free agent in the next big free agent signing.

JON RALPH ON THE DEALS TO WATCH

DAN McSTAY (BRISBANE)

Collingwood has never actually confirmed its interest in McStay, but the Herald Sun revealed last month the Pies were certain to sign the marking forward on a five-year deal worth a total of $3 million.

In return the Lions are hopeful they will secure a second-round compensation selection following their own No. 33 selection. It will help them secure father-sons Will Ashcroft and Jaspa Fletcher.

The Pies will pay his $600,000 contract and $300,000 of departing ruckman Brodie Grundy’s deal, but they believe they are paying too much for rucks and need another marking goalkicker.

JACK GUNSTON (HAWTHORN)

Jack Gunston will leave for Brisbane on a deal which is believed to be around two years at $500,000. The Lions will likely try hand the Hawks a late pick to make this exchange a trade, given securing him might water down any McStay compensation.

Last year Jake Kelly’s move to Essendon secured only third-round compensation and given Gunston’s age at 30 years of age surely any compensation would be a third-rounder at best.

Liam Jones is set to return to the AFL as a Bulldog. Picture Glenn Hampson

LIAM JONES (CARLTON)

Liam Jones was officially ruled an unrestricted free agent by the AFL after a pitch from Carlton, which means they will secure compensation when he heads to the Dogs on a three-year deal. He is 31, so the compensation will be modest but it might help the Blues secure Blake Acres from Fremantle.

CAN THEIR EXISTING CLUBS MATCH DEALS?

No, because all of those four players are unrestricted free agents. With restricted free agents clubs have three days to officially decide whether to match bids or let them get to new clubs. So we should know hours after players arrive at their destinations if they receive free agency compensation.

The free agency period runs through to next Friday for lodgements of deals, and the matching period officially ends on Monday week.

Trade period starts on Monday at 9am and then proceeds through to Wednesday October 12 at 7.30pm.

HOW IS FREE AGENCY ASSESSED?

The compensation is based purely on guaranteed money and a ranking system where every player in the AFL aged 25 or older is placed in order.

The highest-paid player has a value of 100 points, with extra points added for a player’s age (less points are added for an older player) with a maximum points value of 112 points.

First-round compensation picks are handed out for players in the top five per cent based on that points score, with end-of-first-round compensation for players within the top five to 15 per cent.

Second-round picks are for players in the 15-30 per cent band and end-of-second-round picks for players in the 30-50 band.

Originally published as AFL free agency news 2022: Every deal as it happens and free agent period explained