By Marc McGowan
Coveted would-be free agent Cam Rayner’s six-year extension at reigning premiers Brisbane has dramatically changed the player movement landscape for 2025.
Rayner’s new deal, which ties him to the Lions through the 2031 season, comes hot on the heels of Adelaide’s Darcy Fogarty (2031), Blue Jacob Weitering (2031) and Richmond’s Noah Balta (2032) – who were also set to be free agents – also re-signing for the long term.
Sam Draper is high on a list of free agents at the end of 2025.Credit: AFL Photos
There is still a strong group headlining next year’s free agency class.
Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli is the biggest name, but Geelong’s Jeremy Cameron, Tiger Tom Lynch, Fremantle’s Andrew Brayshaw, Blues big man Tom De Koning, North Melbourne’s Luke Davies-Uniacke, Bomber Sam Draper, Brisbane defender Brandon Starcevich, Eagle Oscar Allen and Collingwood tough nut Brayden Maynard are also free agents in 2025.
Adelaide
Fogarty’s early re-signing was a nice boost for the Crows, who have not played finals since their 2017 grand final defeat. They still have some intriguing free agents, including Matt Crouch, Wayne Milera and Reilly O’Brien, while Brodie Smith and Taylor Walker could be retirement-bound. Small forward Lachie Murphy, who is from Melbourne, is another.
Brisbane Lions
Victorian clubs were lining up for a tilt at 2017’s No.1 draft pick Rayner, who kicked a career-best 31 goals this year and was shortlisted for All-Australian honours. Defender Starcevich, who hails from the west, is now the Lions’ biggest-name 2025 free agent. Dayne Zorko, Ryan Lester and Darcy Gardiner are more likely to retire than play elsewhere. Delisted duo Darcy Craven and Darragh Joyce will be free agents if they return as rookies.
Carlton
De Koning is one of the game’s most in-demand free agents. St Kilda and Sydney tried to prise the talented big man from the Blues last year, and Geelong – where his brother Sam plays – loom as potential suitors. With Weitering locked away, Sam Docherty, George Hewett, Jack Silvagni and Orazio Fantasia are Carlton’s other free agents.
Collingwood
The Magpies do not have a first-round draft pick this year or next, but will likely match a bid on father-son prospect Thomas McGuane. That makes this upcoming season a fascinating watch if things again don’t go to plan, with Maynard and Brody Mihocek among their free agents-to-be. Veterans Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom, Jamie Elliott, Jeremy Howe, Will Hoskin-Elliott and Mason Cox, as well as Oleg Markov, are also free agents in 2025.
Essendon
The Bombers would love to re-sign cult figure ruckman Draper soon, but don’t expect a deal before the end of 2024. They started to incorporate young big man Nick Bryan late in the season and also have 2025 free agent Todd Goldstein, but Draper is easily the best of that bunch. Essendon were willing to trade Jayden Laverde this year, so the defender might find a taker if he comes for free.
Fremantle
No free-agent Docker is more coveted than Brayshaw, the No.2 pick in the 2017 draft behind Rayner. Brayshaw’s ball-winning ability and leadership would fit in anywhere, so Freo will need to present a lucrative long-term offer. There are few other concerns from the crop of Nat Fyfe, captain Alex Pearce, Michael Walters, Jeremy Sharp and Oscar McDonald. Max Knobel will be a free agent if he is reclaimed in the rookie draft.
Geelong
It would be a cataclysmic shock if Cameron or Mark Blicavs sought a fresh start. Uncontracted captain Patrick Dangerfield could join this list if he inks only a one-year deal, but he wants two. The other free agents at the Cats are Jed Bews and Cam Guthrie.
Gold Coast
Defender Sam Collins is at the top of the Suns’ free agency priority list, and negotiations are already underway. David Swallow and Nick Holman are unlikely to move elsewhere, but it would not surprise if Brayden Fiorini, Sean Lemmens and Alex Sexton explored their options.
Callan Ward has long been a heart-and-soul figure at the Giants since switching from the Bulldogs.Credit: AFL Photos
GWS
The Giants lost Isaac Cumming and Harry Perryman in free agency this year, but have only Callan Ward, Jacob Wehr and Lachie Keeffe with that status in 2025. Ward is a retirement candidate, while Wehr and Keeffe are fringe players.
Hawthorn
James Worpel is the interesting name here. He became the fourth Hawk to win the club champion award in his second season in 2020, and brings a hard edge to the midfield. Hawthorn will need to pay up to retain Worpel. Stalwarts Luke Breust and Jack Gunston are probably heading into their last season, while Seamus Mitchell, who was delisted at the end of 2022, is yet to establish himself.
Melbourne
Free agency is the least of the Demons’ worries, with Tom McDonald, Charlie Spargo, Jake Melksham and recruit Tom Campbell the only players on the list. Their greater focus will be on appeasing contracted stars Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver.
North Melbourne can expect rival offers for Luke Davies-UniackeCredit: AFL Photos
North Melbourne
One name towers over everyone else at Arden Street: Davies-Uniacke. The Kangaroos will be desperate to keep “LDU”, but there are sure to be tempting offers from elsewhere, with St Kilda among those monitoring the gun onballer. The only other free agents are Aidan Corr, who left the Giants to sign with North as a free agent four years ago, Brynn Teakle and Toby Pink.
Port Adelaide
Kane Farrell’s kicking is a weapon coming out of the Power’s backline, and there are certain to be rival clubs, including from his home state of Victoria, interested in having that for themselves. Darcy Byrne-Jones, Dylan Williams and recruit Rory Atkins also qualify as free agents in 2025.
Key forward Tom Lynch is one to watch at Tigerland.Credit: AFL Photos
Richmond
Balta will see through the Tigers’ rebuild, but it will be interesting to see what eventuates with premiership-winning veterans Lynch and Dion Prestia. Lynch will continue to be paid well in the twilight of his career, but there will be contending clubs keen to add him to their attack. Prestia has endured a lot of soft-tissue injuries and may be entering his last season.
St Kilda
Hunter Clark wanted to become a Kangaroo at the end of 2023, but the Saints refused to trade him – at least not without a significant return. How the 2025 season plays out could determine Clark’s contract call. Another interesting free agent-to-be is Brad Crouch, whose future was a talking point in recent times because of his ongoing knee injury. Zaine Cordy, Jimmy Webster and Liam Stocker will also qualify next year.
Sydney
Lewis Melican finally established himself in Sydney’s defence this year, so another season like that would likely see him re-sign, but it could easily go the other way. Fellow 2025 free agent Jake Lloyd is 31 and due to play his 150th game in his next appearance, so it would be a surprise if he moved clubs, but Luke Parker did exactly that. Dane Rampe, Robbie Fox and Joel Hamling are the Swans’ other free agents.
West Coast
Allen is one of the Eagles’ co-captains and a major part of their plans, with negotiations underway on a deal that could extend for as many as six years. Premiership stars Jeremy McGovern, Jamie Cripps and Dom Sheed will also be free agents in 2025, along with Tom Cole and speedsters Jayden Hunt and Jack Petruccelle.
Western Bulldogs
There is no bigger name on next year’s free agent list than that of Bulldogs champion Bontempelli, but there is no reason to believe he will be anywhere but “the Kennel” for the rest of his career. Bontempelli turns 29 in November, but should score a long-term deal well north of $1 million per season. Ed Richards, Tom Liberatore, Liam Jones, Jason Johannisen, Oskar Baker, Caleb Poulter and Lachie Bramble are also free agents.
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