AFL contracts: Every player without a contract beyond 2022
They’re two powerhouse clubs and heading in the right direction. But both have plenty of players still out of contract. Who gets a deal and who doesn’t as the free agency period nears?
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The 2022 season is coming to a rapid close for more than half of the league but there is still work to be done to lock away players for the future.
Here are the footballers still without a deal for next year at your AFL club.
Adelaide (8): James Borlase, Ben Davis (unrestricted free agent), Billy Frampton, Elliott Himmelberg, Mitch Hinge (unrestricted free agent), Tariek Newchurch, James Rowe, Brett Turner.
Frampton, who has switched into defence in the SANFL, and Himmelberg are the interesting names here. There is a logjam of key-position players at the Crows, particularly up forward, and there is rival interest in both these guys. Hinge has a contract offer in front of him, while Rowe is still waiting for one but has played 34 games in two seasons at the club. Turner was the No.4 pick in the mid-season draft but hasn’t played a senior game yet.
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Brisbane (14): Tom Berry, Blake Coleman, Mitch Cox, Tom Fullarton, Darcy Gardiner (restricted free agent), Ryan Lester (unrestricted free agent), Connor McFadyen, Daniel McStay (unrestricted free agent), Carter Michael, Mitch Robinson, Jaxon Prior, Ely Smith, Deividas Uosis, Dayne Zorko (unrestricted free agent).
McStay looks all but certain to exercise his free agency rights to sign with Collingwood at season’s end, with the Magpies keen to add to their marking targets. That will be a blow to the Lions but they are expected to retain trusty defender Gardiner. Zorko just needs to say he wants to play on to score another year, while Prior is closing in on a two-year deal. The likes of Coleman, Michael, Fullarton and McFadyen are all expected to remain on the list. Robinson has been in and out of the team this year and Lester has played just twice, so the veteran pair need a strong finish. Smith is yet to make his AFL debut since being the No.21 selection in 2018.
Carlton (16): Domanic Akuei, Jordan Boyd, Matthew Cottrell (unrestricted free agent), David Cuningham, Ed Curnow (unrestricted free agent), Sam Durdin, Will Hayes, Josh Honey, Caleb Marchbank, Oscar McDonald (unrestricted free agent), Jack Newnes (unrestricted free agent), Lochie O‘Brien (unrestricted free agent), Matt Owies, Luke Parks, Will Setterfield, Liam Stocker.
The Blues have already locked away their top priorities but there are still decisions to make on some familiar names. Cuningham, who is unlikely to play this season, and Marchbank have endured horrid injury luck but are hopeful of scoring new deals. Owies is nearing what will likely be a two-year contract, while Boyd, another who probably won’t appear again this year, is also close to agreeing to a fresh deal. McDonald’s recovery from his back injury could determine his fate but he is a handy depth player at his size. Stocker’s had an injury-riddled campaign as well. Curnow hasn’t played all season because of injury and may struggle to earn another contract, given he is barely three months from turning 33. It might go down to the wire for Newnes, O’Brien, Setterfield, Parks and co.
Collingwood (16): Trent Bianco, Callum Brown, Tyler Brown, Isaac Chugg (unrestricted free agent), Mason Cox (unrestricted free agent), Jordan De Goey (restricted free agent), Jamie Elliott (unrestricted free agent), Oliver Henry, Will Hoskin-Elliott,Will Kelly, Jack Madgen, Liam McMahon, Nathan Murphy, Caleb Poulter, Tom Wilson.
The industry expectation is that De Goey’s time in black and white will end this year, with St Kilda and Geelong believed to be his most ardent suitors. But a big few months, including finals, may convince the Pies to get out the chequebook. Henry has enjoyed a very good second season at AFL level and should receive at least a two-year extension. Elliott is a fascinating one to watch because he’s had strong interest from Brisbane and Melbourne in prior years. Cox had a trigger in his contract that would earn him another season, and the big American would be particularly valuable if Brodie Grundy departs. Ash Johnson is off the market after signing a one-year deal with a trigger for a second, while Nathan Murphy is close to agreeing to a new deal. Mid-season draftee Josh Carmichael, who has impressed in three AFL appearances, inked an 18-month contract until the end of next year. Madgen is likely to go around again on a one-year deal.
Essendon (17): Kaine Baldwin, Cody Brand, Tom Cutler, Josh Eyre, Aaron Francis, Matt Guelfi, Brayden Ham, Dyson Heppell (unrestricted free agent), Tom Hird, Michael Hurley (unrestricted free agent), Jye Menzie, Cian McBride, Andrew Phillips, James Stewart, Patrick Voss, Tex Wanganeen, Alec Waterman.
The Bombers have presented captain Heppell with a contract offer and it would be a surprise if he wasn’t at Tullamarine next season. Dual All-Australian Hurley is finally back playing after his horror experience with a hip infection and can hopefully build some momentum in the final month of the season. Negotiations have begun on a new deal for Guelfi, while Baldwin is also expected to continue on up to a two-year contract. Francis’ three-year deal expires at season’s end and he will be an interesting one to watch. Could Port Adelaide make a play for the South Australian? Stewart has had an injury-interrupted year, while most of the others will have to be patient.
Fremantle (11): Blake Acres, James Aish, Bailey Banfield (unrestricted free agent), Connor Blakely (unrestricted free agent), Mitch Crowden (unrestricted free agent), Sebit Kuek, Griffin Logue, David Mundy (unrestricted free agent), Sam Sturt, Joel Western, Nathan Wilson.
The Dockers promise to be one of the big players in this year’s trade period as they move heaven and earth to lure Demons premiership ruckman Luke Jackson home. Acres, Aish and Logue all have two-year offers in front of them but it remains to be seen if all three will be at the club in 2023. Swingman Logue, in particular, has options. Super-veteran Mundy remains a senior regular and is keen to keep playing next year. Crowden’s fallen out of favour this season, while 2018 first-round draftee Sturt also continues to struggle to receive senior opportunities. The likes of Banfield and Wilson are still waiting to engage in contract talks.
Geelong (14): Luke Dahlhaus (unrestricted free agent), Francis Evans, Zach Guthrie, Tom Hawkins (unrestricted free agent), Shaun Higgins (unrestricted free agent), Quinton Narkle, Brandan Parfitt, Joel Selwood (unrestricted free agent), Sam Simpson, Isaac Smith (unrestricted free agent), Nick Stevens, Zach Tuohy, Paul Tsapatolis, Zane Williams.
Hawkins emphatically declared on Tuesday that he will extend his career into 2023, and why not after kicking 49 goals in 18 games for the ladder-leading Cats? His great mate, Selwood, gets the odd rest these days but is still playing well enough to continue if he wants to. Tuohy is much the same as he approaches his 33rd birthday, with the Irishman still a consistently good contributor. Negotiations are underway for another veteran, ex-Hawk Smith, to go around again next season. Parfitt will sign another two-year deal to take him through to free agency, while Guthrie has played a career-most 14 games this year and will score a new deal. Dahlhaus turns only 30 in August but is averaging sub-10 disposals and stuck in the VFL and seems likely to retire, with Higgins in a similar spot at age 34. Evans is hopeful of a new deal but has opposition interest if not, and it’s been another season on the fringes for Narkle.
Gold Coast (14): Chris Burgess, Levi Casboult (unrestricted free agent), Matt Conroy, Charlie Constable (unrestricted free agent), Josh Corbett, Oskar Faulkhead, Caleb Graham, Oleg Markov, Jez McLennan (unrestricted free agent), Patrick Murtagh, Rhys Nicholls, Hewago Paul Oea, Izak Rankine, Lachie Weller.
Essendon is trying valiantly to lure Rankine to Victoria with a big-money offer and he remains out of contract but the Suns are confident he will stay put. Weller is recovering from an ACL setback but is poised to ink a four-year deal in a deserved showing of faith, while key defender Graham is also set to score a multi-season contract. The Suns are waiting to find out whether the AFL will put an end to their assistance package, which includes having up to nine players on the rookie list. That decision will impact on the future of several players above. Burgess and Corbett arrived on the Gold Coast in late 2018 as part of the club’s priority access to state league players but have had limited opportunities this year. Oea played the first three games of his AFL career in recent weeks after developing in the Suns’ Academy.
GWS Giants (16): Jarrod Brander (unrestricted free agent), Kieren Briggs, Callum Brown, Tanner Bruhn, Matt de Boer (unrestricted free agent), Cooper Hamilton, Bobby Hill, Jesse Hogan, Lachie Keeffe (unrestricted free agent), Daniel Lloyd (unrestricted free agent), Xavier O’Halloran, Will Shaw, Zach Sproule (unrestricted free agent), Jake Stein (unrestricted free agent), Tim Taranto, Jacob Wehr (unrestricted free agent)
The Giants are set to be one of the major players in this year’s trade period. Taranto won’t make a call until he finds out who is coaching GWS but has multiple suitors, including Collingwood and Richmond. Bruhn is in the Cats’ sights, as is the contracted Jacob Hopper, while Hill seems Collingwood-bound. If the Giants can convince Brodie Grundy to relocate to Sydney, then Briggs, who, like Grundy, is represented by Connors Sports, may be on the move. Discussions are ongoing for Hogan to extend his stay at the Giants on a probable two-year contract. Wehr, Keeffe and Hamilton should all secure new deals, while O’Halloran could assess his options after being in and out of the senior side in 2022.
Hawthorn (13): Tyler Brockman, Jackson Callow, Connor Downie, Jack Gunston (unrestricted free agent), Kyle Hartigan (unrestricted free agent), Dan Howe (unrestricted free agent), Emerson Jeka, Ben McEvoy (unrestricted free agent), Seamus Mitchell, Harry Morrison, Tom Phillips, Jack Saunders, Liam Shiels (unrestricted free agent).
Change is afoot at Waverley Park under Sam Mitchell, who has embraced youth far more than his predecessor Alastair Clarkson. That doesn’t bode well for Shiels or Hartigan, while the time may be right for Gunston to sign with a flag contender – but the All-Australian remains a key part of the Hawks’ attack. Ex-Pie Phillips has fallen out of favour and it wouldn’t bode well for him if, as expected, Port Adelaide free agent Karl Amon, a fellow wingman, joins the Hawks. Morrison is enjoying a career-best season and discussions are underway for a new deal, while Brockman is also set to extend his stay. McEvoy is yet to indicate his plans for next year. An ankle injury ended Mitchell’s season but the speedster should be at the club next season, while last year’s mid-season draftee Callow faces a nervous wait.
Melbourne (13): Oskar Baker, Toby Bedford, Angus Brayshaw (restricted free agent), Mitch Brown (unrestricted free agent), Michael Hibberd, Jayden Hunt (unrestricted free agent), Luke Jackson, Jake Melksham, Judd McVee, Andy Moniz-Wakefield, Fraser Rosman, Deakyn Smith, Joel Smith.
All eyes are on Jackson, who most expect to request a trade to Fremantle at season’s end, and Brayshaw, who told SEN on Tuesday that he was in no rush to make a call on his future. Brayshaw has suitors galore, including Geelong and Essendon, and is enjoying an excellent season down back after being effective as a wingman and on-baller in the past. But the Demons sound far more confident about retaining him than Jackson. Hibberd has regained his senior spot and played well in recent weeks, along with fellow ex-Bomber Melksham, but both are on the wrong side of 30. Hunt hasn’t had as many opportunities late in the season. Regular medi-sub Bedford is optimistic about continuing, and McVee and category B rookie Moniz-Wakefield will both receive contracts for next year.
North Melbourne (15): Jed Anderson, Atu Bosenavulagi, Ben Cunnington (unrestricted free agent), Todd Goldstein (unrestricted free agent), Aaron Hall, Kyron Hayden (unrestricted free agent), Matt McGuinness, Flynn Perez, Bailey Scott, Curtis Taylor, Kayne Turner (unrestricted free agent, Josh Walker (unrestricted free agent), Patrick Walker, Lachie Young, Cameron Zurhaar.
Zurhaar parked contract talks until season’s end but the Roos will be desperate to keep him. Cunnington won’t be going anywhere but Anderson, who loves a prolonged contract negotiation, Goldstein and Hall are all interesting names. Goldstein is set to make his call soon, now his high-profile agent, Tom Petroro, is back from overseas. Perez, after recovering from a second serious knee injury, and Scott have enjoyed career-best seasons and deserve to be part of the future at Arden Street. Young has also been serviceable in 2022 and it just depends on whether he returns on a one- or two-year arrangement. Swingman Josh Walker will have options if the Roos don’t offer him a contract, while Hayden will have to wait it out.
Port Adelaide (15): Karl Amon (unrestricted free agent), Travis Boak (unrestricted free agent), Trent Dumont (unrestricted free agent), Martin Frederick, Robbie Gray (unrestricted free agent), Lachie Jones, Sam Mayes (unrestricted free agent), Jed McEntee, Trent McKenzie (unrestricted free agent), Jackson Mead, Steven Motlop (unrestricted free agent), Jake Pasini, Taj Schofield, Sam Skinner (unrestricted free agent), Brynn Teakle.
Power officials have effectively conceded publicly that Amon is departing at season’s end, with Hawthorn appearing to be his likeliest destination. Boak and Gray will make calls on their future soon but both – especially Boak – are playing well enough to warrant another season. But fellow veteran Motlop may be up against it. A fresh two-year contract is imminent for Jones, while mid-season draftee Teakle has all but agreed to another one-year deal. Injury and illness have restricted late-career bloomer McKenzie this year but he, too, is likely to continue at Alberton, while Mead and Pasini are set to re-sign. McEntee helped his cause with a good performance against Geelong, but he and others might have to be patient.
Richmond (15): Jake Aarts, Liam Baker, Riley Collier-Dawkins, Trent Cotchin (unrestricted free agent), Noah Cumberland, Shane Edwards (unrestricted free agent), Will Martyn, Ben Miller (unrestricted free agent), Bigoa Nyuon (unrestricted free agent), Marlion Pickett, Jack Riewoldt (unrestricted free agent), Dan Rioli, Maurice Rioli, Jack Ross, Sydney Stack.
Triple premiership player Kane Lambert announced his immediate retirement on Monday because of a chronic hip injury, and Matt Parker chose to return to Western Australia. Riewoldt has stopped short publicly of fully committing to next year, and Cotchin and 299-gamer Edwards are the other big-name veterans without deals beyond this season. Resurgent Daniel Rioli has an attractive, multi-year offer in front of him, but there is plenty of interest in whether Mr-Fix-It Baker stays or requests a trade to West Coast. Cumberland has kicked six goals in three weeks to show his ability as he prepares to start contract talks, while ex-basketballer Mate Colina, a category B rookie, has re-signed for another season. Miller, Ross, Pickett and Maurice Rioli are all expected to continue. Collier-Dawkins, the No.20 pick in 2018, has performed well in the VFL but is touch and go to keep his spot.
St Kilda (14): Josh Battle, Jack Bytel, Tom Campbell (unrestricted free agent), Dan Hannebery, Tom Highmore, Darragh Joyce (unrestricted free agent), Dean Kent, Jarrod Lienert (unrestricted free agent), Ben Long, Ben Paton, Jack Peris, Paddy Ryder, Mason Wood (unrestricted free agent).
Dan Butler inked a fresh two-year arrangement on Tuesday, while new multi-season deals for Paton and Battle are imminent. Long seems to perennially be talked about as a trade target but talks are also underway for him to extend his stay at Moorabbin. Ryder wants to play on in 2023, while ex-Roo Wood is on track to play 20 games this year and should go around again. Fit-again Hannebery is in contention for an AFL call-up this week or next and a strong finish could earn him another year on the list. Lienert hopes he has done enough to extend his career for at least one more season after signing in the pre-season, and Highmore continues to perform at VFL level despite limited chances above.
Sydney (16): James Bell, Ryan Clarke, Harry Cunningham (unrestricted free agent), Robbie Fox (unrestricted free agent), Lance Franklin (restricted free agent), Will Gould, Josh Kennedy (unrestricted free agent), Jake Lloyd (unrestricted free agent), Paddy McCartin (unrestricted free agent), Sam Naismith, Barry O’Connor, Colin O’Riordan, Sam Reid (unrestricted free agent), Ben Ronke, Callum Sinclair, Lewis Taylor (unrestricted free agent).
Will Franklin re-sign at the Swans? That remains the likeliest option, even with a Herald Sun report suggesting the superstar’s camp wasn’t thrilled with their initial monetary offer of about $500,000. McCartin will receive a significant pay rise after a brilliant return to the AFL but a tough decision looms on selfless club great Kennedy, who may retire. Lloyd is another interesting name and he has been in talks for many months but it would be a shock if he left. Clarke’s revived his AFL career as a defensive stopper in the past month, while Cunningham should be locked away in the coming weeks. Reid’s career was on life support a year ago but has been a consistently good contributor this season. Ruck project Lachie McAndrew has re-signed after being a mid-season draft selection last year, and Gould remains a source of fascination after all the hype he entered the AFL with but is yet to play an AFL game.
West Coast (13): Hugh Dixon (unrestricted free agent), Shannon Hurn (unrestricted free agent), Jamaine Jones (unrestricted free agent), Tom Joyce (unrestricted free agent), Josh Kennedy (unrestricted free agent), Patrick Naish (unrestricted free agent), Nic Naitanui (unrestricted free agent), Jackson Nelson (unrestricted free agent), Jack Redden, Willie Rioli, Luke Shuey (unrestricted free agent), Connor West, Bailey Williams.
Kennedy is in no rush to make a call on his future despite many believing this season will be the champion forward’s last. The rebuilding Eagles also have calls to make on Hurn, 34, and Shuey, 32, but Redden is close to reaching a contract trigger for 2023. Naitanui wants to keep playing and is on record as saying he’s happy to sign one-year deals from now on. Rioli returned this season from a two-year ban for tampering with an anti-doping urine sample but is also mourning the sudden death of his father. Serious talks have not begun on a fresh deal for Rioli but he is likely to extend his stay for two more seasons. Pre-season signings Dixon, Naish and Joyce might struggle to get a new deal.
Western Bulldogs (15): Louis Butler, Zaine Cordy (unrestricted free agent), Josh Dunkley, Taylor Duryea (unrestricted free agent), Riley Garcia, Jason Johannisen (unrestricted free agent), Stefan Martin (unrestricted free agent), Robbie McComb, Toby McLean (unrestricted free agent), Charlie Parker, Cody Raak, Josh Schache, Bailey Smith, Mitch Wallis (unrestricted free agent, Rhylee West.
Discussions are progressing on a new deal for young midfielder Smith, who would be the latest signing coup for list boss Sam Power. There is plenty of interest in what Dunkley does after previously requesting a trade to Essendon and still being linked to the Crows. Johannisen’s five-year deal expires at season’s end and his role has changed over the years. Garcia is healthy again and back in the senior side and he will look to prove why he is deserving of a multi-year deal in the coming period. McComb has been a genuine find for the Bulldogs, while West has resurrected his career as a hardworking forward. Wallis underwent season-ending foot surgery and his career is in the balance. Schache has played only 18 games across the past three seasons and it’s unclear where he fits in the future at the Kennel.
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