Free agency rules as we take a look at the biggest issues in AFL football in 2018

HAS there ever been a better free agency class than this year? The futures of Tom Lynch and Rory Sloane will dominate the AFL landscape throughout 2018. But what are the other big stories? SAM EDMUND gives his top 13 issues to watch this year.

Nathan Buckley will try to lift the Pies back into the AFL finals. Pic: Michael Klein

IT’S going to be a huge year in the AFL — on and off the paddock.

Herald Sun reporter SAM EDMUND looks at the 13 issues that are sure to create debate in 2018.

AFL HOUSE: CHIEF FACING KEY QUESTIONS

SUPER DRAFT? BOMBERS BULLISH ON 2018 TALENT

1 FREE AGENCY

The tsunami that rolls in year after year.

Those hurtling atop this year’s wave include Gold Coast captain Tom Lynch, Adelaide star Rory Sloane and West Coast pair Jeremy McGovern and Andrew Gaff.

Clubs get upset the league puts out an official list of free agents, but this is the game now.

Lynch is a 25-year-old Victorian who hasn’t played a final in seven seasons and regularly turns out in front of poor crowds.

Big Melbourne club, a packed MCG and September — how do you turn your back on that?

Will Tom Lynch stick with the Suns? Pic: Getty Images

2 GOLD COAST

And if Lynch does leave, heaven help them.

Mark Evans has been parachuted in to rescue a burning wreck and new coach Stuart Dew comes in highly regarded, but they might need to be miracle workers if the skipper jumps ship.

Gary Ablett, Jaeger O’Meara, Dion Prestia, Adam Saad, Harley Bennell and Charlie Dixon have all wanted out of a club now on its third coach since 2014.

The Suns’ annual report revealed the AFL had been forced to tip in an extra $5.5 million to the club to help it break even, taking the Suns’ slice of the league’s annual cash carve-up to $25 million.

Geelong hopes Gary Ablett’s ageing body holds up. Picture: Alison Wynd

3 GARY ABLETT

Will he thrive or will be dive? It’s been the ultimate summer debate.

Ablett is 34 in May and hasn’t managed a full season since 2013.

That’s the glass half-empty view.

In his 14 games last year, Ablett was the only midfielder to rate elite for both disposals and metres gained per game while also rating elite for clearances and score involvements.

That’s the glass half-full view.

If Ablett’s body holds up it will prove a masterstroke. What happens next will be fascinating.

4 BUCKS

Was Collingwood’s decision to re-sign Nathan Buckley a bad one, a good one or a political one? Only time will tell.

But was it a surprising one? You bet. How many coaches in this caper get a fresh two-year contract after overseeing a side that’s slid from 4th to 8th to 11th to 12th to 13th and endured four years without finals?

It may well prove the correct call and you have to admire the Pies’ determination to back their man.

But does the scrutiny subside? Not when you’re coaching Collingwood. What happens if they start poorly in a 2018 draw Champion Data says is the easiest of any club?

One has to admire Collingwood’s resolve in sticking with Nathan Buckley. Pic: Michael Klein

5 AND EDDIE ...

Bucks goes, Eddie goes. Or so goes the saying.

But since when has McGuire ever sung to the hymn sheet of others?

Yet McGuire staked his flag to Buckley’s mast when he orchestrated that contentious Mick Malthouse handover. So far, it hasn’t worked.

And if it ends that way, does McGuire take responsibility and follow Buckley out?

A poll of more than 4000 Herald Sun readers last year saw 59 per cent say yes.

6 THE TRIBUNAL

Yet more changes to what is arguably the AFL’s most scrutinised department.

Out goes the match review panel and in comes the match review officer — Michael Christian.

Christian will be a busy man. For Thursday night games, his adjudication will be reached by 5pm Friday and for Friday night incidents by 5pm Saturday. Saturday and Sunday games will still be assessed on Monday.

Joe Daniher might be the best key forward in the game. Picture. Phil Hillyard

7 ESSENDON

Public Enemy sang “Don’t Believe the Hype”, but few of the red and black persuasion seem to have heard that song.

Zach Merrett might win the Brownlow, Joe Daniher could win the Coleman and a trio of trade period acquisitions has the Dons destined for top four.

Jake Stringer, Adam Saad and Devon Smith have impressed on the track, but are they enough to take a side thrashed by Sydney in last year’s elimination final deep into September?

8 PORT ADELAIDE

Like Essendon, trumpeted as one of the big winners of the exchange period 12 months after failing to strike a single deal.

The Power gave up little, but ultimately Jack Watts (trade), Steven Motlop (free agent), Trent McKenzie (delisted free agent) and Tom Rockliff (free agent) were all willingly let go by clubs content to see the back of them.

Will Port make them look silly? Or will it prove a bust?

9 MELBOURNE

You can’t underestimate how much missing last year’s finals series by 0.5 per cent in the last game of the home and away season has motivated this side.

But will it translate to a campaign that sees the Demons play finals for the first time since 2006?

The words are nice and Jake Lever is a big get, but September is all that matters now.

Just get there.

Luke Beveridge hopes his Bulldogs regain their bite. Pic: Michael Klein

10 THE KENNEL

Premiership hangover. How tired would the Dogs be of those two words?

But coach Luke Beveridge would know there’s only one antidote to this poisonous accusation — winning.

The word is Tom Liberatore is back — motivated, hungry and training well. Ditto Luke Dahlhaus.

Can they recapture the formula that swept them to the 2016 flag?

A side in the must-watch basket.

11 ST KILDA’S LEADERSHIP VACUUM

Nick Riewoldt, Leigh Montagna and Sean Dempster are gone and 845 games of experience went with them.

The Saints were expected to play finals last year, but slipped from 9th in 2016 to 11th. How they respond without Riewoldt and co. in this most pivotal of seasons will be fascinating.

The new leadership group flew in by helicopter, but can they help the Saints fly this year?

And will the club’s next generation, which includes Jack Billings, Paddy McCartin, Blake Acres, Jade Gresham and Hugh Goddard, consistently deliver?

12 GWS

Weren’t they supposed to have won it by now? And gone undefeated last year?

Wild predictions, of course, aren’t the fault of the Giants, but you have to wonder if this uber-talented group as underachieved.

Injuries have cruelled them. But if Leon Cameron’s side can make consecutive preliminary finals with a hospital-sized casualty ward, imagine if they get some luck.

It’s been a long summer for Taylor Walker. Picture Sarah Reed

13 TEX

Not so long ago, Taylor Walker was the beer-sipping, mullet-wearing bloke footy fans loved.

But the court of public opinion can turn quickly and there’s no doubt Tex’s reputation took a hit last year.

Walker’s erect-arm stare in Adelaide’s power stance didn’t float with many, while the skipper’s “blunt” parting words for Jake Lever were embarrassing and seen as double-standards given the Crows’ acquisition of Bryce Gibbs.