Your AFL club’s coach, player contract statuses revealed
Who is in the last year of their contract in 2023? We look at the players and coaches your club needs to sign, and those on their last legs. SEE THE FULL LIST.
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Forget the footy – welcome to the AFL’s real talking points in 2023.
The ins and outs of players and coaches will inevitably make a fair share of headlines in the new season as intrigue ramps up around every club.
We take a look at each AFL team and who could be coming or going in the next 12 months.
ADELAIDE
The Crows enter year four of their rebuild under coach Matthew Nicks knowing they can be difficult to beat but their skill level has too often let then down.
Last season, it was a key reason why they finished 14th. Trading for Jordan Dawson 12 months ago and Izak Rankine in October goes some way to addressing some of their issues. But how high Adelaide climbs this year will likely depend on how much the plethora of young players improve.
COACH STATUS
Nicks has two more seasons left on a contract that runs until the end of 2024.
Adelaide re-signed him in December last year, praising him for driving the team’s culture and taking the club in the right direction.
Brought in as the Crows embarked on their rebuild in 2020, Nicks has an 18-42 overall win-loss record (30 per cent).
Their best finish under him was 14th this year.
A lack of obvious improvement and a similar ladder finish in 2023 would test the Crows’ patience.
Only four coaches in the AFL era, since 1991, have completed four seasons without making the finals and kept their jobs.
Nicks would be in the same boat if Adelaide missed the top eight next season and he stayed in the role.
WHO IS IN LAST YEAR OF CONTRACT?
Tom Doedee, Rory Sloane, Taylor Walker, Matt Crouch, Paul Seedsman, Chayce Jones, Harry Schoenberg, Shane McAdam, Jackson Hately, Jordon Butts, Josh Worrell, Lachlan Murphy, Andrew McPherson, Luke Nankervis, Tariek Newchurch, Zac Taylor, James Borlase.
BRISBANE
Two finals victories including an emphatic breaking of the longstanding MCG hoodoo against defending premier Melbourne was a big tick but the way they were dismantled by Geelong in the preliminary final left a bitter taste.
It raised many questions, one being whether the Lions had missed their premiership window? Some outstanding recruiting will go a long way to making sure that isn’t the case.
COACH STATUS
Chris Fagan’s contract is up at the end of 2023. He has endured a tough few months after being embroiled in the Hawthorn racism saga from his days as Alastair Clarkson’s right-hand man. He initially stepped down but has returned to pre-season training as the Hawthorn matter continues to be investigated.
In six years at the helm, Fagan has guided the Lions into the finals in the past four seasons. While he has turned the club around, it will be interesting to see if the 61-year-old wants to continue beyond next year given the stress and strain the Hawthorn inquiry has placed on him.
WHO IS IN LAST YEAR OF CONTRACT?
Daniel Rich, Dayne Zorko, Nakia Cockatoo, Ryan Lester, Rhys Mathieson, Conor McKenna, Blake Coleman, Carter Michael, Darcy Fort, Deven Robertson, Harry Sharp, James Madden, Kai Lohmann, Marcus Adams, Tom Fullarton.
CARLTON
The time is now for the Blues. There are no more excuses. After a generation of pain, Carlton has all the tools in place to once more become an AFL power club; now it just has to stay fit and healthy and finally get the job done in 2023.
COACH STATUS
No issues here for Vossy, as he is about to enter the second of a three-year contract, having impressed everyone with his handling of the Blues in year one.
He coached the Lions to a finals campaign in his first year (2009) before it all fell apart up there. This quest at Carlton looks far more sustainable. The Blues hierarchy would be happy with their choice right now.
WHO IS IN LAST YEAR OF CONTRACT?
David Cuningham, Ed Curnow, Tom De Koning, Sam Docherty, Paddy Dow, Lachie Fogarty, Josh Honey, Brodie Kemp, Caleb Marchbank, Mitch McGovern, Jesse Motlop, Nic Newman, Sam Philp, Marc Pittonet, Lachie Plowman, Jack Silvagni, Lewis Young, Domanic Akuei, Sam Durdin.
COLLINGWOOD
What a difference one point makes. The season ended in heartbreak for Pies fans who enjoyed the ride of a lifetime that fell just one point short of a grand final. Craig McRae brought a freedom to the Magpies in his first full season at the helm – playing with flair and fun that – more often than not – translated to four points. And there’s no reason why that can’t continue in 2023.
COACH STATUS
Craig McRae signed on until the end of 2024 and is much-loved at Collingwood for his nature as much as his coaching prowess. Players have lauded the environment McRae has created at the AIA Centre and it showed on the field.
WHO IS IN LAST YEAR OF CONTRACT?
Aiden Begg, Arlo Draper, Ash Johnson, Cooper Murley, Harvey Harrison, Jeremy Howe, John Noble, Josh Carmichael, Mason Cox, Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom, Trent Bianco, Trey Ruscoe, Will Kelly.
ESSENDON
Brad Scott has a big task on his hands after crossing over to the Bombers from AFL HQ. After finishing 15th in a disastrous 2022, Essendon will be hoping for a better result in 2023 and have added some fringe players from other clubs in Will Setterfield and Sam Weideman who should make their best side. Although, finishing higher on the ladder may not be as high a priority as developing their core group of young players.
COACH STATUS
Brad Scott signed a four-year contract that will see him in charge at Tullamarine into his 50s. Ideal appointment for a club searching for stability.
WHO IS IN LAST YEAR OF CONTRACT?
Alastair Lord, Andrew Phillips, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, Ben Hobbs, Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, Cian McBride, Darcy Parish, Dyson Heppell, Harrison Jones, Jye Menzie, Kane Baldwin, Mason Redman, Massimo D’Ambrosio, Nick Bryan, Patrick Voss, Peter Wright, Rhett Montgomerie, Sam Weideman, Will Snelling.
GEELONG
The Cats have rewritten the rebuild rule book after pulverising the Sydney Swans with the oldest team in Grand Final history. Joel Selwood’s retirement combined with Tom Hawkins’ foot injury will require some adjustments ahead of the new season, but Geelong took the chocolates in a big way in the trade period nabbing blue-chip youngsters Ollie Henry, Tanner Bruhn and Jhye Clark (pick eight). If the hunger remains, Geelong will once again be up to their ears in a back-to-back premiership tilt. What a reign it has been.
COACH STATUS
The two-time premiership coach signed a two-year extension to tie him to the Cats until the end of 2024. Plenty have lined up to criticise Scott over his decade in charge for failing to win more finals, but the reality is the Cats’ boss looks like the best coach in the caper currently. He changed-up the team’s game style beautifully last year and while some said it should have happened years ago, Scott’s job in 2022 cannot be faulted. He is said to be on upwards of $800,000 a year.
WHO IS IN LAST YEAR OF CONTRACT?
Tyson Stengle, Mark Blicavs, Tom Hawkins, Zach Tuohy, Rhys Stanley, Jon Ceglar, Gary Rohan, Gryan Miers, Isaac Smith, Esava Ratugolea, Shannon Neale, Brad Close, Sam Simpson, Sam Menegola, Cooper Whyte, Flynn Kroeger, James Willis, Mitchell Knevitt, Ollie Dempsey.
GOLD COAST
Gold Coast remains one on the great questions of the AFL.
Despite copping some big injuries in 2022 the Suns were a much improved outfit and showed some promising signs. But the Suns still haven’t played finals in their short history and the critics are still there for the league’s investment on the Gold Coast.
COACH STATUS
Coming into 2022 Dew was one of the coaches under the most pressure externally. Chief in this was the looming shadow of Alastair Clarkson with many believing that the AFL would throw a lot of money at the legendary coach to turn around the fortunes of the Suns.
But the Suns chiefs backed Dew after the months of speculation, declaring that he is the man to lead them to the finals for the first time and gave him a two-year contract that keeps him at Gold Coast until at least the end of 2024.
Key in this has been the slowing of players leaving the Gold Coast for traditional footy states, although the loss of Rankine will hurt.
He comes into this season on a very secure footing and if he can get the Suns to challenge for finals this should continue.
WHO IS IN THE LAST YEAR OF CONTRACT?
Alex Sexton, Nick Holman, Brayden Fiorini, Sam Day, Noah Anderson, Jeremy Sharp, James Tsitas, Sam Flanders, Levi Casboult, Charlie Constable, Oskar Faulkhead, Malcolm Rosas Jr, Sandy Brock, Jy Farrar, Connor Blakely, Jake Stein, Tom Berry.
GWS GIANTS
After nine seasons with Leon Cameron at the helm, the Giants will open a new era with new coach Adam Kingsley for their second decade in the AFL.
COACH STATUS
Kingsley will start his career as a senior AFL coach, having won the top role after Cameron’s departure. A former premiership player and club champion with Port Adelaide, Kingsley has served a long apprenticeship as an assistant coach through stints with the Power, St Kilda and Richmond. Kingsley joined the Tigers’ coaching team in 2019, playing a key role in their ‘19 and 2020 premierships under Damian Hardwick.
WHO IS IN LAST YEAR OF CONTRACT?
Braydon Preuss, Callan Ward, Callum Brown, Cameron Fleeton, Cooper Hamilton, Daniel Lloyd, Finn Callaghan, Harrison Himmelberg, Jack Buckley, Jacob Wehr, Jake Riccardi, Lachlan Ash, Lachlan Keeffe, Matthew Flynn, Phil Davis, Tom Green, Xavier O’Halloran.
HAWTHORN
Hawthorn is deep in the midst of a significant, and potentially painful, rebuild as they invest heavily in youth in a bid to once again become a force.
After Sam Mitchell’s first year as senior coach, the Hawks have taken another step backwards to move forwards after an exodus of senior stars in the off-season.
It has left an experience void at the Hawks and how long it takes for the club to see the fruits of its rebuild will come down to how many of the club’s emerging players can take a leap forward in 2023.
COACH STATUS
Heading into the second year of his tenure as senior coach, club bosses are unified in the four-time premiership player’s vision to rebuild the list from scratch.
Mitchell showed he was tactically astute last season with victories over eventual premier Geelong and preliminary finalist Brisbane Lions in the first-half of the season, but his primary focus over the next two years will be player development and settling on the pieces he believes can turn the club into a premiership contender.
Coming into the second year of his tenure as senior coach, Mitchell will be given the time he needs to bring his vision to fruition.
WHO IS IN LAST YEAR OF CONTRACT?
Chad Wingard, Connor MacDonald, Cooper Stephens, Dylan Moore, Emerson Jeka, Fergus Greene, Finn Maginness, Fionn O’Hara, Jacob Koschitzke, Jai Serong, James Blanck, James Worpel, Jarman Impey, Lachlan Bramble, Lloyd Meek, Max Lynch, Ned Long, Ned Reeves, Sam Butler, Tyler Brockman, Will Day.
MELBOURNE
The predicted premiership dynasty suffered an early hiccup with the Demons falling in a hole in the second half of the season. They looked like a shadow of the dominant 2021 team when exiting in straight sets from the finals. Can they get their mojo back? The recruitment of ruckman Brodie Grundy from Collingwood to play alongside Max Gawn will be a fascinating watch.
COACH STATUS
Simon Goodwin was understandably rewarded with a pay rise and two-year extension midway through the year off the back of his premiership win and a brilliant start to the 2022 season.
He is now contracted through to the end of 2024 and seems to have ridden out some off-field issues which were raised throughout the year.
In six seasons at the helm, Goodwin has guided the Demons to three finals series including the drought-breaking 2021 premiership victory.
WHO IS IN LAST YEAR OF CONTRACT?
Jed Adams, Kade Chandler, Luke Dunstan, Michael Hibberd, James Jordon, Steven May, Judd McVee, Jake Melksham, Andy Moniz-Wakefield, Alex Neal-Bullen, Kysaiah Pickett, Oliver Sestan, Trent Rivers, Josh Schache, Deakyn Smith, Taj Woewodin, Will Verrall.
NORTH MELBOURNE
After back-to-back wooden spoons, North Melbourne is hoping Alastair Clarkson can lead the club back up the ladder.
It will be intriguing to see how the long-time Hawthorn coach will go with a rebuilding team, albeit one that has added experienced players such as Griffin Logue, Darcy Tucker and Liam Shiels to help fast-track the youngsters’ development. Bridging the gap between the side’s best and worst football will be one of Clarkson’s first tasks.
COACH STATUS
Hawthorn premiership mastermind Clarkson emerged from a one-season coaching hiatus to sign a five-year contract with the Kangaroos in August.
He will be the club’s third full-time senior coach since 2020 so the long-term deal ensures stability and time to turn things around.
That is important at the Kangaroos given Rhyce Shaw and Noble’s reigns of a mere two years each.
Getting Clarkson, one of the most successful coaches in history of the game, to join a battling club ahead of fierce rival Essendon is itself a massive coup.
The cloud hanging over his appointment and his first season at the helm of the Roos is the Hawthorn investigation, which will drag onto next year.
Clarkson denies any wrongdoing.
WHO IS IN LAST YEAR OF CONTRACT?
Aaron Hall, Aiden Bonar, Ben McKay, Blake Drury, Charlie Comben, Daniel Howe, Flynn Perez, Hamish Free, Hugh Greenwood, Jack Mahony, Jack Ziebell, Jackson Archer,
Jacob Edwards, Josh Goater, Kallan Dawson, Kayne Turner, Lachie Young, Miller Bergman, Phoenix Spicer, Todd Goldstein.
PORT ADELAIDE
Can the Power bounce back in 2023? They missed out on finals after a shocking start to the season and played catch-up for the rest of the season, and despite some encouraging displays they couldn’t bridge the gap. But after one hell of a trade period by the Power they have added some serious talent to the rising list at Alberton, Port are looking to show that 2022 was just a blip.
COACH STATUS
With one year to go on his contract Hinkley comes into 2023 as one of if not the most under pressure coaches in the competition.
Especially after Power chairman David Koch declared the club figures needed to “turn it around or watch out”, which preceded a public show of support from Koch towards Hinkley.
But Hinkley will be under immense scrutiny in 2023, as he sits in the unenviable position of Port Adelaide’s longest serving coach without a premiership.
A good start will do Hinkley’s cause to remain at Alberton, and he said he wanted to remain at Port as he was linked to GWS and North Melbourne in 2022, a lot of good.
Another poor start would again have fans demanding change.
Hinkley was in a similar position three years ago, entering the 2020 season under the pump following consecutive years without finals.
But he took the Power to within a kick of a grand final and then backed it up the following year with another preliminary final.
WHO IS IN LAST YEAR OF CONTRACT?
Miles Bergman, Riley Bonner, Jase Burgoyne, Charlie Dixon, Orazio Fantasia, Kane Farrell, Mitch Georgiades, Sam Hayes, Hugh Jackson, Tom Jonas, Trent Dumont, Travis Boak, Ollie Lord, Scott Lycett, Trent McKenzie, Sam Powell-Pepper, Brynn Teakle, Dylan Williams.
RICHMOND
Is Richmond’s decision to top up folly?
Or the result of careful list management that will not only avoid them falling off a list cliff but contending for the foreseeable future?
So can the new recruits in Jacob Hopper and Tim Taranto combine with the 2022 improvers like Shai Bolton, Maurice Rioli and Tyler Sonsie to deliver enough improvement to give Jack Riewoldt, Dustin Martin and Trent Cotchin another crack at the title?
COACH STATUS
Hardwick said openly early in the season that he would depart when the club’s premiership window shut but with the refurb and refresh he seems genuinely thrilled to be on board long term.
He made clear he believed the most exciting part of Richmond’s list was its future during finals and so who would discount him eventually re-signing past 2024?
The club’s careful exit strategy of its established stars means he doesn’t have to dodge the dramas Chris Scott faced moving on the premiership legends.
Richmond believes he will return from an overseas study trip flush with ideas to reinvigorate a Tigers side without a finals win since the 2020 premiership.
WHO IS IN LAST YEAR OF CONTRACT?
Bigoa Nyuon, Dylan Grimes, Hugo Ralphsmith, Jack Graham, Jack Riewoldt, Jacob Bauer, Jason Castagna, Kamdyn McIntosh, Nathan Broad, Noah Balta, Rhyan Mansell, Robbie Tarrant, Thomson Dow, Toby Nankervis, Trent Cotchin.
ST KILDA
It’s hard to know what to expect in year one of Ross Lyon 2.0. St Kilda’s list hasn’t changed a great deal but the style and execution will almost certainly be fashioned in a different manner. In the club’s 150th birthday, the Saints will be compelling viewing no matter what happens as Lyon tries to put his own unique stamp on a team that needs to do better.
COACH STATUS
St Kilda’s quest to become a more ruthlessly efficient club was the reason behind the decision to chase Ross Lyon as Brett Ratten’s replacement.
Lyon has a four-year deal to guide the Saints back into the premiership window after a decade effectively treading water. He has already suggested he might be a little more mellow this time around, but we suspect that could all change when the real stuff starts.
WHO IS IN LAST YEAR OF CONTRACT?
Daniel McKenzie, Hunter Clark, Jack Bytel, Jack Peris, Jade Gresham, Jimmy Webster, Leo Connolly, Mason Wood, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Oscar Adams, Ryan Byrnes, Seb Ross, Tom Campbell, Tom Highmore, Nick Coffield, Zak Jones, Jack Higgins.
SYDNEY SWANS
A third-place finish meant a trip to Melbourne in the first week of the finals secured a home preliminary final. But their 16-6 season all came to a head on grand final day against a rampant Geelong that looked in control right from the very start.
But there was a lot to be pleased with – none more than the likes of Chad Warner and Errol Gulden who caught eyes across the competition. And Buddy, well, it was the moment of the year – maybe even the decade, maybe even ever.
COACH STATUS
After signing on in 2019, Longmire is contracted until the end of 2023, but it’s hard to see him going anywhere. The premiership coach has been at Sydney since 2011 and has kept the team right in the thick of finals contention.
He has continued to hone his craft in recent years and not only get the best out of his stars, but continue to develop younger players who have huge respect for “Horse”.
Labelled a “workaholic” by former assistant John Blakey this year, Longmire is a stable force at Sydney.
WHO IS IN LAST YEAR OF CONTRACT?
Aaron Francis, Angus Sheldrick, Cameron Owen, Dane Rampe, Dylan Stephens, Hayden McLean, Hugo Hall-Kahan, Jaiden Magor, Joel Amartey, Lachlan Rankin, Lance Franklin, Lewis Melican, Marc Sheather, Ryan Clarke, Sam Reid, Sam Wicks, Tom Hickey, Will Gould.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
The Bulldogs are under a big spotlight next year after underachieving in 2022.
They scraped into the finals and shot to a big lead before capitulating after half time in the elimination final loss to Fremantle. But the Dogs have enjoyed a proactive post-season, bolstering their spine with Rory Lobb and Liam Jones and the coaching staff adding Brendon Lade from St Kilda.
The Dogs have one of the best engine rooms in the game but defensive flaws have cost the club badly.
COACH STATUS
Luke Beveridge secured a contract extension until the end of the 2025 season. The club was keen to find ways to support him more and Brendon Lade clearly adds some expertise and experience to an assistantcoaching staff which felt the losses of Ash Hansen to Carlton and Steven King to Gold Coast.
The Dogs have been known to makesome left-field team selections and there is no reason to think that won’t continue in 2023.
WHO IS IN LAST YEAR OF CONTRACT?
Alex Keath, Anthony Scott, Arthur Jones, Bailey Williams, Buku Khamis, Cody Raak, Dominic Bedendo, Ed Richards, Hayden Crozier, Jordon Sweet, Josh Bruce, Lachlan McNeil, Latham Vandermeer, Luke Cleary, Mitch Hannan, Roarke Smith, Robbie McComb, Ryan Gardner, Sam Darcy, Taylor Duryea, Tom Liberatore, Tim O’Brien, Toby McLean.
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