BRISBANE LIONS

WHAT THEY NEED: A tall forward. The Lions went hard for Kurt Tippett, have expressed interest in Lance Franklin and even tried to land mini-draft selection Jesse Hogan – they are desperate for a key forward. There's not many around, but Sydney Swan and Queensland native Jesse White has shown improvement in his rare appearances and might attract some interest. A key back would not go astray either with Matt Maguire (29), Daniel Merrett (28) and Joel Patfull (28) in the latter stages of their career.

CROSSROADS: The future of two Lions legends lies in their own hands with Jonathan Brown and Simon Black possibilities of retiring at the end of the season. Young South Australian Jared Polec and Victorian Patrick Karnezis are big calls for the Lions. Polec was taken with pick five in the 2010 NAB AFL Draft and has been hampered by injury in his three seasons, while Karnezis just can't earn a regular senior call-up. Both have class and would be likely to attract outside interest.

TIME TO GO? The Lions have cried out for a forward for years, and now in his fifth season, Aaron Cornelius still cannot command a regular game despite the search. Surely he will look elsewhere for opportunity. Jesse O'Brien has run and flair but has had a mixed four seasons, as has Irishman Niall McKeever who has elite run and provides a contest, but has been surpassed at both ends of the ground by younger players (Justin Clarke and Marco Paparone).

- Michael Whiting

CARLTON

WHAT THEY NEED: A key forward. The Blues create enough scoring opportunities and move the ball fast, long and direct, but lack a long-term marking target to take the pressure off injury-prone star Jarrad Waite and to allow Levi Casboult to develop at his own pace. They tried to lure Travis Cloke away from Collingwood last year and, with extra salary cap room, would certainly consider making an approach to off-contract Hawthorn superstar Lance Franklin, and would certainly be in the market for out-of-contract Bombers Scott Gumbleton and Stewart Crameri. Carlton may also try to manoeuvre to secure potential No. 1 draft pick Tom Boyd.

CROSSROADS: Nick Duigan and Jeremy Laidler were key components of the Blues' back six under previous coach Brett Ratten, but they have managed just one game apiece under Mick Malthouse. Duigan, a member of the club's leadership group who was also a captaincy candidate, has paid a heavy price for a poor showing in the round one loss to Richmond, while Laidler has been recast as a forward in the VFL. Tagger Aaron Joseph has played just three games, his most recent appearance being in round four.

TIME TO GO? The Blues' ruck dilemma appears to have been solved, with the versatile Matthew Kreuzer emerging as the preferred No. 1 big man, despite displaying so-so form. Fellow ruckmen Shaun Hampson and Rob Warnock have spent a lot of the season in the VFL and appear depth players. All parties would likely benefit if one of them moved elsewhere.

- Ben Collins

WHAT THEY NEED: A power forward. Tom Lynch, Charlie Dixon, Steven May and Sam Day have all shown development this season, but it's still the one area of the ground that could do with help. A bloke from Hawthorn called Lance Franklin would solve the only headache left for coach Guy McKenna. He would fast-track what the others will provide in two to three years time. A tall defender would also help out Rory Thompson.

CROSSROADS: Three of Gold Coast's initial uncontracted player signings might be in limbo at the end of the season. Campbell Brown has hinted this may be his last year, but his terrific form might require a re-think from both club and player. Nathan Bock (broken leg) hasn't played seniors since early 2012, while Michael Rischitelli has also been dogged with injuries and been passed in the midfield by junior talent. Surely the Suns won't keep all three. Experienced defender Matthew Warnock came to prop up a young backline and has done superbly, but with Thompson and Day developing, and Henry Schade still in the wings, his future may be in question.

TIME TO GO? It's a brutal task trimming the Suns' list when they've invested so much time into so many young players, but it still needs culling. South Australian Dan Gorringe was a high draft pick, but has slipped a long way down the pecking order for both rucks and forwards when everyone is fit. He looks like good trade currency. Jacob Gillbee is a candidate after struggling to break into the senior team, while Liam Patrick has shown flashes of brilliance, but has been surpassed in the small forward/half-forward role. Form on the park over the final nine rounds will also determine the future for players like Jack Hutchins and Joel Wilkinson.

WHAT THEY NEED: The Giants clearly need help all over the ground. Key position players are a must, with a defender, a forward and a ruckman among their chief targets. They have undoubted talent through the midfield, but need some experienced heads and mature bodies to bring it all together. The pursuit of Buddy Franklin is seemingly a daily discussion point, but others have been mooted, including Jack Riewoldt, Tom Bellchambers, Dale Thomas and brothers Mitch and Nathan Brown.

CROSSROADS: With so many youngsters still making their way on their list, there aren't too many that would be classified as out of favour at this point. There will be some decisions made at year's end, however, with some outside talent certain to be brought in. Bret Thornton has played just the one game since moving up from Carlton, while the likes of ruckman Tom Downie and midfielder Josh Growden are yet to make their senior debuts. They are both still very young, but would be keen to push closer to senior selection by season's end.

TIME TO GO? The majority of the Giants' list has been locked away for the short to medium term, but there are some exceptions. Taylor Adams has put contract talks on hold and has been linked with a return to Melbourne. GWS could end up using him in a potential trade deal. Nick Haynes is also out of contract and struggling to establish himself in the team. At the other end of the scale, Dean Brogan and Chad Cornes will retire, freeing up some more cap space for 2014.

MELBOURNE

WHAT THEY NEED: Midfielders. The Demons failed to attract Collingwood's Sharrod Wellingham during last year's trade period, and the attempt to procure the Saints' Farren Ray fell at the last hurdle. Luring midfielders is tough but a new set-up with an experienced coach might be enough to entice a young Victorian playing interstate to return home and build a career at the Demons.

CROSSROADS: James Magner has not kicked on after an impressive start to his career, while Luke Tapscott is likely to be subject of discussion at the trade table given he has a long-term contract. He is a strong player who would add value to a more experienced side.

TIME TO GO? Two weeks ago it would have been Jack Watts and a few others looking to move but the team seems re-energised by the plan club CEO Peter Jackson has outlined. Having said that, unrestricted free agent Colin Sylvia has a decision to make and if he attracts offers would be better served at having a premiership tilt in a strong side rather than trying to drag the club up the ladder. Melbourne will want to keep him but he could be seen in a new light in a new jumper as he has been a hard worker in the past 18 months but his reputation precedes him.  

WHAT THEY NEED: The Roos will likely be looking for a classy outside midfielder to complement the inside grunt of Andrew Swallow, Jack Ziebell and Ben Cunnington. Collingwood free agent Dale Thomas and  Brisbane Lions youngster Jared Polec fit the bill but will be hard to prise from their existing clubs. North could also do with an injection of pace on its forward line, a need free agent Eddie Betts (Carlton) would obviously fill.

CROSSROADS: Key defender Luke Delaney has been unable to break into North's team this season despite his strong VFL form and has already attracted healthy opposition interest. Out of contract at the end of this season, Delaney will almost certainty request a trade if he continues to struggle for opportunities. Ruckman Daniel Currie could also seek a new AFL home after just one season at Aegis Park. The former Sydney Swan has been extremely impressive in the VFL, but as Todd Goldstein's understudy, has not played a senior game. Wingman Will Sierakowski appears to be playing for his football future in the second half of this season.

TIME TO GO? Veteran defender Michael Firrito, 29, is out of contract this year and North faces a tough call on his future. Firrito remains a versatile backman and, at his best, mixes resolute defence with counterattack. However, he has been to prone to costly lapses in discipline this season and North could decide the time is right to replace him with a young defender such as Cameron Delaney or Ayden Kennedy. However, Brent Harvey's strong form since returning from suspension in round six suggests he will get his wish to extend his AFL career into a 19th season next year. 

WHAT THEY NEED: Lewis Stevenson and Campbell Heath were both brought into the side to try and cover the loss of Danyle Pearce last year and, while both have played well at times, neither has managed to cement their spot in the line up. With Kane Cornes nearing the end of his career, a pacey defender/midfielder would complement the likes of Oliver Wines, Chad Wingard, Brad Ebert and Travis Boak perfectly.

CROSSROADS: Tall forward Daniel Stewart has had ample opportunities at AFL level, but unfortunately he just hasn't managed to grasp them. Stewart's a tall, athletic, talented left-footer who amazes at times at SANFL level but he hasn't been able to take the next step. At 24, there still time for Stewart to make a go of his AFL career, but given what the Power have seen in his 36 games, that might have to be with another club.

TIME TO GO? Nick Salter has had wretched luck when it comes to injuries, particularly stress fractures in his feet. He's missed a lot of football in recent seasons and although he's now back at SANFL level, there's no room for him in the Power's side. John Butcher, Mason Shaw and Jay Schulz are the key forwards and in defence Alipate Carlile and Jackson Trengove have been well supported by Jack Hombsch and Tom Jonas. 

RICHMOND

WHAT THEY NEED: The Tigers need to regenerate their ruck stocks, with 30-year-old Orren Stephenson close to retirement and currently the only back-up option for Ivan Maric. A list of potentially available ruckmen is forming, with North Melbourne's Daniel Currie a likely target. Currie, 24, has not been able to break into the Kangaroos' side behind Todd Goldstein, but his tap work is highly regarded. Gold Coast's Daniel Gorringe and the Brisbane Lions' Billy Longer are young ruckmen on the radar.     

CROSSROADS: Tall forward Luke McGuane started the season in a blaze of glory, kicking nine goals in the opening month. His output dried up, however, and the unrestricted free agent has been out of the side for the past four matches. Small forward Robin Nahas has also found himself on the outer for the first time in three years, playing five games and being used at times as the substitute.    

TIME TO GO? Rookie recruits Sam Lonergan (two games) and Ricky Petterd (five games) haven't received consistent opportunities and might test the waters come season's end. Speedster Matt White is another who remains on the fringe as the club's young midfielders emerge. Key position player Ben Griffiths, who has earned games at both ends of the ground in previous seasons, has only played once this year (in round one) and may question when he will get his chance to bed down a consistent role in the team.   

- Nathan Schmook

ST KILDA

WHAT'S NEEDED: The Saints will be aggressive in recruiting at the season's end and their recent 64-point loss to Richmond emphasised their need for a key defender. The Saints chased Mitch Brown hard last year but couldn't reach a deal with West Coast, but he is out of contract at the end of the season, while James Frawley is signed for another year but could be looking for a fresh start after seven years at Melbourne. However, a new coach at the Demons will offer a fresh outlook so he might be happy where he is.

CROSSROADS: It's fair to say Justin Koschitzke will get to his 200-game milestone and retire at the end of the season while Jason Blake – injured at the moment – hasn't played much seniors this year and will also likely hang up the boots. It's uncertain what will happen with Stephen Milne on a variety of fronts while Lenny Hayes could look to a 16th season depending on how he comes back from persistent calf problems.   

TIME TO GO? Nick Dal Santo is the Saints' fifth free agent along with the veterans listed above but is in the restricted category. He has a clause in his contract that gets him another season if he passes a medical but at 29, could look to chase success at another club. If third-year rookie and 2012 Sandringham best and fairest winner Tom Curren can't cut his way onto the senior list, he would be within his right to look elsewhere too.

- Jennifer Phelan

SYDNEY SWANS

WHAT THEY NEED: The Swans are in the enviable position of not having too many glaring holes in their list. The opposite could in fact be true, with their key position stocks well filled and plenty of young talent coming through. Possibly a small crumbing forward to supplement Ben McGlynn and Mitch Morton could be a target, while Marty Mattner's retirement means there is a gap in the backline. But the debuts of Dane Rampe, Brandon Jack, Tom Mitchell, Jed Lamb and Xavier Richards this year show there is talent waiting in the wings.

CROSSROADS: With so many injuries affecting the senior list this season, a number of fringe players have been given a chance, which they have taken. Jesse White, who was offered as trade to help secure Kurt Tippett last year, has played a role during Shane Mumford's injury-forced absence, while Andrejs Everitt has also proven a valuable utility. Harry Cunningham, who made his one and only senior appearance in round one, 2012, appears to have slipped down the pecking order, but he is still progressing well at a club boasting significant depth.

TIME TO GO? Apart from Mattner's forced retirement due to injury, the only other possible voluntary departure would be club great Jude Bolton, although there is some possibility he could keep going. Some players picked up in recent years, such as Alex Brown, Jordan Lockyer and Shane Biggs, are yet to make their senior debuts and will be hoping for a strong finish to 2013. Defender Tony Armstrong is another who keeps jumping in and out of the senior team and will be keen to lock down a regular spot in the backline.

- James Dampney

WEST COAST

WHAT THEY NEED: The Eagles appeared well-placed for flag contention this year but it hasn't worked out so far. They have lacked pace and polish in the midfield. They recruited Sharrod Wellingham to add to the depth but they could look to pick off some young West Australians at the expansion clubs who are looking to come home. 

CROSSROADS: There are quite a number of mature-age players who have been in and out of the Eagles line-up this year. Mitch Brown is the highest profile but he's played more regularly than he did in 2012 when he requested a trade. Will Schofield, Brad Sheppard, Ash Smith, Scott Lycett, Jacob Brennan and Ashton Hams are players that could attract interest from other clubs for their particular roles. 

TIME TO GO? Adam Selwood and Andrew Embley have been magnificent servants for West Coast but both have struggled with injury and form throughout 2013 and would be hard pressed to continue next year. Mark Nicoski is another who has had a wretched run with injury and after two full years on the sidelines, he might well have to consider his future, even though the club has vowed to support him in his injury rehabilitation.  

- Alex Malcolm