Will they stay or go? Tracking the free agents

WILL they stay, or will they go?

Thanks to the presence of names like Nat Fyfe and Dustin Martin, the 2017 free agency pool is one of the liveliest in years.

Here, senior reporter Nick Bowen analyses every 2017 free agent.

Chat recap: Nick Bowen answers your questions

You can also vote on the future of this year's biggest names in the poll below.

	Status	On the move?
Andy Otten ADELAIDE	Unrestricted	After more than two years out of the Crows' team following a knee reconstruction, Otten made a remarkable return this season, playing all of the first 10 rounds. Swinging between defence and attack, Otten, 194cm, has had an impact at both ends of the ground. The 28-year-old is happy to focus on his football for now, with contract talks with the Crows unlikely to start before their round 13 bye. If his form and fitness hold, there will be interest from opposition teams.
Scott Thompson ADELAIDE	Unrestricted	The veteran midfielder did not play a senior game in the opening 10 rounds after an injury-delayed start to 2017. At 34, Thompson will almost certainly call time on his decorated career at the end of the season.
Claye Beams BRISBANE LIONS	Unrestricted	Injury has consistently thwarted the midfielder's attempts to cement himself in the Lions' best 22, with 13 games in 2014 his biggest season return in eight seasons at the Gabba. Sidelined by a hamstring injury since round nine, but expected to be available after the Lions' round 11 bye, the 25-year-old faces a career-defining second half of the season.
Ryan Harwood BRISBANE LIONS	Unrestricted	Dropped twice already in 2017, the 25-year-old defender appears to be on shaky ground as the Lions prepare for a likely list cull at the end of the season. Has 12 rounds to convince Lions coach Chris Fagan he has a future at the Gabba beyond 2017.
Tom Rockliff BRISBANE LIONS	Restricted	The former Lions captain was happy to delay talks on his future earlier this season after being put up for trade – and overlooked by rival clubs – last year. But according to Brisbane CEO Greg Swann, he recently told the club he wants to stay. Rockliff started 2017 in impressive form before his round eight shoulder injury, averaging more than 30 possessions and eight tackles a game, while his attitude around the club has impressed new coach Chris Fagan and his staff. The midfielder has not actively courted opposition interest, but he'll have suitors if he remains uncontracted deep into the season.
Dennis Armfield CARLTON	Unrestricted	A free agent for the second season in a row, Armfield is accustomed to playing on a year-to-year basis. Voted into the leadership group at the start of the season, the 30-year-old is a highly influential figure around the club with his infectious personality. Has spent most of 2017 in the VFL but has fought back in the past when seemingly out of favour.
Levi Casboult CARLTON	Unrestricted	The Blues spearhead made a solid start to 2017, kicking 17 goals in the first 10 rounds. He has also been far more accurate in front of goal – 17.4 compared to 18.18 from 20 games in 2016 – since goalkicking coach Sav Rocca's return to Ikon Park. Won't address his future until the second half of the season.
Matthew Kreuzer CARLTON	Unrestricted	The 28-year-old ruckman is enjoying one of the best seasons of his career. Attracted rival interest, particularly from Collingwood, when he was last a free agent in 2015, but is reportedly close to activating a games-based trigger clause in his existing contract that will bind him to the Blues in 2018.
Kade Simpson CARLTON	Unrestricted	The vice-captain averaged almost 24 possessions a game over the first 10 rounds and has shown few signs of decline. But, at 33, a decision won't be made on his future until the end of the season.
Simon White CARLTON	Unrestricted	Has been a regular fixture in the Blues' best 22 over the past three-and-a-half seasons, but was omitted following the round eight loss to Fremantle. Turns 29 in July and, with Carlton increasingly keen to blood its raft of youngsters, appears to face a make-or-break second half of the season.
Tyson Goldsack COLLINGWOOD	Unrestricted	The 30-year-old has been enjoying one of the most consistent stretches of his career in defence this year. Looks well placed to continue with the Pies in 2018, but talks are unlikely to start until late in the season.
Lachlan Keeffe COLLINGWOOD	Unrestricted	Yet to play a senior game since returning from a two-year doping suspension this year. The 27-year-old tall has played primarily in defence in the VFL and has understandably shown some rust after his time out of the game. Will be keen to return to form in the second half of the season.
Ben Sinclair COLLINGWOOD	Unrestricted	Highly rated at Collingwood, the 25-year-old has had a horror run with injury in recent seasons. Still sidelined by a serious hamstring injury suffered in the JLT Community Series, the defender will be hoping to return in the second half of 2017 and mount a case to play on next season.
Josh Thomas COLLINGWOOD	Unrestricted	Like Keeffe, the midfielder has returned to football this year after a two-year WADA ban. The 25-year-old is also yet to return to the Pies' senior team, but his recent form in the VFL has been strong. The depth of Collingwood's midfield will be a factor for both Thomas and the club when they weigh up his future.

	Status	On the move?
Heath Hocking ESSENDON	Unrestricted	Overlooked for all bar one senior game in the first half of the season, Hocking, 29, faces an uphill battle over the remainder of the year to convince the Dons he is part of their future.
Ben Howlett ESSENDON	Unrestricted	Another who has struggled to re-establish himself in the Dons' best 22 this season after last year's WADA ban, Howlett, 28, faces a make-or-break second half of the season.
Brent Stanton ESSENDON	Unrestricted	Dropped twice early in the season, the 31-year-old midfielder seems to have been overtaken by the Bombers' new on-ball generation. Needs a strong finish to the season to play on.
Jobe Watson ESSENDON	Unrestricted	The former Essendon captain did a lot of soul-searching before playing on this season. Watson's form has been solid on his return for a year-long WADA ban, but the 32-year-old is unlikely to make a decision on his future until late in the season.
David Zaharakis ESSENDON	Restricted	The midfielder is in on-going talks with the Bombers but is unlikely to re-sign soon. After a slow start to the season, Zaharakis decided to focus on returning to form before starting negotiations with the Dons on a new deal. Zaharakis' performances in Essendon's early wins over Geelong, West Coast and Richmond were welcome steps in that direction. The 27-year-old will attract rival offers if he remains out-of-contract late in the season, but his heart appears to lie with the Bombers.
Hayden Ballantyne FREMANTLE	Restricted	The small forward flirted with a change of clubs in last year's NAB AFL Trade Period and attracted interest from Geelong before staying put. Yet to play this season because of a serious hamstring injury and, at 29, won't appeal to clubs in a rebuilding phase. However, his speed, goal sense and niggle could be a tempting mix for teams in the market for a goalsneak.
Zac Clarke FREMANTLE	Unrestricted	The ruckman, 27, turned his back on free agency at the end of 2016 to sign a new one-year deal with the Dockers. Hasn't played this year after undergoing two operations on his left patella bone and the Dockers are yet to put a timeline on his likely return. He will be keen to get back on the park to show Freo – and any rival suitors – he has plenty of good football left in him.
Nat Fyfe FREMANTLE	Restricted	The biggest fish in 2017's free agency pool has attracted frenzied interest across the competition, particularly from Victorian clubs. Some rival teams are prepared to offer up to $1.5 million a season to lure him away from Fremantle, but the 2015 Brownlow medallist declared earlier this year he sees his future lying with the Dockers. Replaced David Mundy as Dockers skipper in February, but has yet to open negotiations with the club.
Garrick Ibbotson FREMANTLE	Unrestricted	Has not missed a game since round 15 last season and seems entrenched in the Dockers' backline, where his ability to play tall when required gives Freo flexibility. Will turn 30 ahead of next season, but looks well placed to continue at Fremantle next year.
Michael Johnson FREMANTLE	Unrestricted	Made a slow start to 2017 after missing most of last season with hamstring and knee injuries, but has been outstanding in recent weeks. Turns 33 in October, but is building a strong case to play on next season.
David Mundy FREMANTLE	Re-signed	The former skipper last month satisfied a trigger in his existing contract to play on in 2018.
Aaron Sandilands FREMANTLE	Unrestricted	When fit, the Freo giant is still one of the most imposing ruckmen in the competition. Made an impressive start to 2017, playing the first nine rounds before suffering a hamstring injury. Remains so important to the Dockers' midfield structure, especially given Zac Clarke's injury woes, that he seems likely to play on next year when he'll be 35.
Nick Suban FREMANTLE	Unrestricted	It's been a tough year for the midfielder, who has been stuck in the WAFL since round two as the Dockers have blooded youngsters. The 27-year-old has played primarily as an inside midfielder with Peel Thunder and could look to reignite his career at a club that offer him more opportunity in that role. The Victorian has attracted preliminary interest from some clubs in his home state, but his future won't become clearer until late in the year.
Josh Cowan GEELONG	Unrestricted	The hard-working wingman has been hampered by a niggling Achilles tendon injury since playing the opening two rounds. He entered 2017 knowing his senior opportunities could be limited as Geelong looked to blood its young midfielders. But the 26-year-old loves the club and will be determined to prove his worth in the second half of the season.
Tom Lonergan GEELONG	Unrestricted	Entered this season expecting it would be his last. Though he remains a solid contributor on the Cats' backline, the 33-year-old will almost certainly stick to his retirement plans.
Andrew Mackie GEELONG	Unrestricted	The 32-year-old defender is expected to call time on his career at the end of 2017.
Daniel Menzel GEELONG	Unrestricted	Signed a one-year contract last October and despite his strong start to 2017, the mercurial forward, who had four reconstructions from 2011-13, is happy to play on a year-to-year basis. Hard to see the 25-year-old leaving Geelong, but he will have earned a pay rise if he completes his second full season in a row.
Steven Motlop GEELONG	Restricted	After being put up for trade at the end of last season, Motlop has impressed Geelong this year with his improved professionalism, even if his on-field output has remained inconsistent. Both the 26-year-old and Geelong are content to wait until later in the season before addressing his future. Motlop failed to draw any serious rival bids in last year's trade period, but at his best remains one of the competition's most damaging line-breakers and will likely hold more appeal as a free agent.
Luke Breust HAWTHORN	Re-signed	The All Australian forward re-signed with the Hawks in March, tying himself to the club until the end of 2021.
Shaun Burgoyne HAWTHORN	Unrestricted	The 34-year-old said in late May he would make a decision on his future later this year, taking into account his form and fitness and Hawthorn's on-field standing. Of all Hawthorn's veterans, the four-time premiership player looks best placed to continue in 2018.
Taylor Duryea HAWTHORN	Unrestricted	A regular senior player from 2014-16, the defender has found himself largely out of favour so far this season. Young enough, at 26, to survive Hawthorn's likely list overhaul at the end of this year, but needs a solid finish to the season.
Josh Gibson HAWTHORN	Restricted	The 33-year-old defender is likely to hang up his boots at the end of the season.
Luke Hodge HAWTHORN	Unrestricted	The three-time premiership captain is set to retire at the end of 2017.
Ryan Schoenmakers HAWTHORN	Unrestricted	The versatile tall has been out of favour since the round one loss to Essendon, with Tim O'Brien appearing to overtake him in the Hawks' key-forward pecking order. Schoenmakers has resisted opportunities to leave Hawthorn previously, but will need to keep his options open if he continues to struggle for senior games.
Jake Spencer MELBOURNE	Unrestricted	A free agent last year, Spencer signed a one-year deal for 2017. Performed well when called up to replace injured No.1 ruckman Max Gawn before suffering a shoulder injury that was expected to sideline him until mid-season. A capable back-up to Gawn, so the Dees will likely seek to re-sign him.
Jack Trengove MELBOURNE	Unrestricted	The former Demons skipper has played just five senior games over the past three and a half seasons, and has been unable to earn a call-up from the VFL so far this year. With Melbourne finally looking set for an extended period of on-field success, Trengove appears to have been permanently overtaken by the Demons' raft of talented youngsters. The former No.2 draft pick will likely call time on his injury-plagued career at the end of the season.
Lachlan Hansen NORTH MELBOURNE	Unrestricted	The key defender has made a solid start to 2017 after struggling with his body last season. Does not turn 29 until August, so should have several seasons of good football left in him. However, the Kangaroos will be keen to offer more opportunities to young defender Sam Durdin in 2018, so might consider allowing Hansen or Scott Thompson to pursue free agency to create an opening for the young defender. Hansen's future is unlikely to be decided until late in the season.
Scott Thompson NORTH MELBOURNE	Restricted	The 31-year-old has opened the year in strong form and appears more than capable of playing on in 2018. But the key defender's tenure at Arden St could be complicated by North's desire to continue the list regeneration it started last year. Thompson is yet to open talks with the Kangaroos and, like Hansen, his future probably won't become clearer until late in the season.
Jasper Pittard PORT ADELAIDE	Unrestricted	The line-breaking defender is yet to open serious negotiations with Port and has already attracted significant opposition interest. Pittard, 26, is coming off a strong 2016 season, but negotiations with the Power could drag on until later in the season given they have a host of uncontracted players to deal with. The Victorian could attract more money at a new club, but is believed to be happy at Port.
Jackson Trengove PORT ADELAIDE	Restricted	The versatile tall has increasingly played in attack this year when he hasn't been pinch-hitting in the ruck. Has attracted interest, especially in his home state, Victoria, but is already well paid at Port Adelaide, which has the right to match any rival offers given the 26-year-old's restricted status.
Justin Westhoff PORT ADELAIDE	Unrestricted	The versatile tall has opened 2017 in impressive form and his ability to play all over the ground ensures he remains a vital member of the Power's team. Turns 31 ahead of next season but is almost certain to play on.
Dustin Martin RICHMOND	Restricted	The Tiger star has predictably attracted frenzied interest after informing Richmond he wanted to delay a decision on his future until the end of 2017. North Melbourne has emerged as Martin's most ardent suitor, with the Roos prepared to table a long-term offer worth more than $1 million a season, but Essendon has also been linked with the midfield bull. Martin is unlikely to consider offers from outside Victoria and remains most likely to re-sign with the Tigers, who seem prepared to increase their original offer of more than $800,000 a season to a seven-figure sum.
Sean Dempster ST KILDA	Retired	The All Australian defender retired in April after copping a head knock from Port Adelaide's Nathan Krakouer in the JLT Community Series. Dempster was concussed several times over his 12-year career and did not want to put his long-term health at risk by playing on.
Sam Gilbert ST KILDA	Unrestricted	His career looked set to be prematurely ended by injury when he played just 26 games from 2013-15, but Gilbert bounced back and has not missed a game since round 18, 2015. Still just 30, but St Kilda will likely look to stagger the retirements of its veterans over the next few seasons.
Leigh Montagna ST KILDA	Unrestricted	The 33-year-old is playing well enough to stretch his career into a 17th season next year, but a call on whether he plays on is unlikely until late in 2017.
Nick Riewoldt ST KILDA	Unrestricted	The 34-year-old started 2017 in the sort of form that suggested he could play forever, but his recent knee issues have made him start to look more like his age. One of the Saints' greatest servants, Riewoldt will have a strong say on whether he plays on in 2018, but a decision is unlikely any time soon.
Jarrad McVeigh SYDNEY SWANS	Unrestricted	The former Swans captain played just two of the opening 10 rounds because of soft-tissue injuries. But the 32-year-old is close to returning and will decide his future at the end of the season.
Sam Reid SYDNEY SWANS	Restricted	The most sought-after tall in this year's free agency group, Reid has attracted feverish interest in his home state, Victoria, with Richmond and Collingwood believed to be leading the chase. Expected to attract rival offers of up to $800,000 a season, but Reid said in April he hoped to re-sign with the Swans. Sydney will also have the right to match any opposition offers given Reid's restricted status, although its efforts to re-sign the 25-year-old could be compromised by its tight salary cap and the rising market value of out-of-contract Swans defender Zak Jones.
Sam Butler WEST COAST	Unrestricted	Started the year in the WAFL but earned a senior recall in round four and has held his spot since. The sole remaining member of the Eagles' 2006 premiership team, the 31-year-old has survived on one-year contracts for several seasons now and a call on his future will again be made late in the season.
Mark LeCras WEST COAST	Unrestricted	The medium forward has been up and down this season, and has been among the Eagles who have struggled to perform in Melbourne. Remains a class act at his best, but turns 31 in August and West Coast is reportedly reluctant to offer its veterans anything more than one-year deals.
Eric Mackenzie WEST COAST	Restricted	The 2014 best and fairest winner has struggled for form since returning from a knee reconstruction at the start of last season. Dropped after the Eagles' round one win over North Melbourne, Mackenzie has been stuck in the WAFL since as the Eagles have preferred Jeremy McGovern and one of Tom Barrass or, more recently, Will Schofield, as their key defenders. Still just 29 but needs to finish 2017 strongly to convince the Eagles, or a rival club, he has an AFL future.
Matt Priddis WEST COAST	Unrestricted	Still the Eagles' best contested ball-winner at 32, but a decision on his future appears likely to be delayed until later in the year.
Matthew Boyd WESTERN BULLDOGS	Unrestricted	The veteran defender has made a solid start to 2017 before missing several rounds with a minor shoulder injury. Turns 35 in August, so a decision on whether he plays next year will be made at the end of the season.
Dale Morris WESTERN BULLDOGS	Unrestricted	Sidelined with a broken leg for seven weeks after round one, but remains a key member of the Bulldogs' defence. At 34, his future won't be decided until late in the season.
Robert Murphy WESTERN BULLDOGS	Unrestricted	Another veteran defender playing on a year-by-year basis, Murphy slotted seamlessly back into the Bulldogs' backline at the start of this year after missing all of last season with a knee injury. Expected to be sidelined until at least round 14 after undergoing a knee operation following the Bulldogs' round 10 win over St Kilda. Turns 35 in June.
Liam Picken WESTERN BULLDOGS	Re-signed	One of the stars of the Bulldogs' 2016 premiership campaign, the 30-year-old re-signed in April until the end of 2019.