Adelaide Crows

Who has already called time? 
The Crows don't have anyone who has announced their retirement so far. But with one of the oldest lists in the competition, that is likely to change.

Is it time for goodbye? 
Despite having a year to run on his contract, star forward Eddie Betts (32 years old) could be on the move having been linked to several clubs, including Gold Coast and former club Carlton. Key forward Josh Jenkins (30) is contracted for two more years but might consider moving for more opportunities to play senior football having fallen behind young gun Darcy Fogarty. Stalwarts Richard Douglas (32), David Mackay (31) and Andy Otten (30) could be delisted or retire. Experienced ruckman Sam Jacobs (31) is likely to stay after playing strongly in his return game against West Coast, but he will have offers elsewhere where he's guaranteed of playing every week, as opposed to competing with emerging big man Reilly O'Brien. - Lee Gaskin

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Brisbane Lions

Who has already called time? 
No official retirements yet.

Is it time for goodbye? 
The obvious candidate here is Luke Hodge, but the former Hawthorn champion will discuss his future with coach Chris Fagan after the season is completed. Hodge has been in excellent form in 2019 and done more than anyone could have hoped for in his two years, but the Lions will have to weigh up his on-field leadership value against whether he's stunting the opportunities of younger players. Ryan Bastinac has been stuck in the NEAFL most of the season and the 28-year-old might be looking elsewhere, while Ryan Lester (soon to turn 27) is the second-longest-serving Lion and has been exceptional this year despite being in and out of the team due to match-ups. - Michael Whiting

Will Luke Hodge play on in 2020? Picture: AFL Photos

Carlton

Who has already called time?
Rookie recruit  Tom Bugg retired a month after Christmas, while exciting forward  Jarrod Pickett also called time on his career halfway through the year. The former No.4 draft pick returned home to Western Australia after battling a ruptured patella.

Is it time for goodbye?
Things haven't panned out for Alex Fasolo at Carlton. After signing a one-year deal with a trigger for a second season, the veteran forward has managed just three games all year and doesn't appear likely to be at Ikon Park in 2020. The Blues have a decision to make in their ruck stocks as well, with Andrew Phillips and Matthew Lobbe both uncontracted. It would be hard to see both at the club next year. Veteran defenders Kade Simpson and Dale Thomas might be the oldest two players at the club, but both are edging towards new deals. - Riley Beveridge

Alex Fasolo has struggled to make an impact in his time at the Blues. Picture: AFL Photos

Collingwood

Who has already called time? 
No Magpie has announced their retirement just yet.

Is it time for goodbye? 
It's likely that five Pies will be forced to hang up their boots at season's end. They comprise Daniel Wells, 34, who finally returned from a serious foot ailment in the round 10 win over Sydney only to suffer a posterior cruciate ligament injury that he has only just overcome; Lynden Dunn, 32, who hasn't played a game this season after undergoing a knee reconstruction; Tyson Goldsack, 32, who has been overlooked for an AFL game all season; Travis Varcoe, 31, who has been dropped three times; and Ben Reid, 30, whose soft-tissue problems have returned. In the unlikely event that Levi Greenwood, 30, was moved on he could win a spot on a young list that requires his experience, hardness and training ethic. Jamie Elliott is set to become an unrestricted free agent at season's end and could test the waters, and so could the uncontracted Brayden Sier. Ben Crocker and rookie-listed pair Max Lynch and Tim Broomhead could be under pressure to keep their spots. - Ben Collins

It could be game over for defenders Lynden Dunn and Tyson Goldsack. Picture: AFL Photos

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Essendon

Who has already called time? 
Essendon rookie Luke Lavender retired in February aged just 22 after a run of injuries, but he is the only Bomber since the end of last year to depart the list so far.

Is it time for goodbye? 
Veteran midfielder David Myers will have been weighing up retirement since he decided to step back to the VFL earlier in the year after a run of quiet form. He returned in Saturday night's thrashing to the Western Bulldogs for his first game since round eight, but remains out of contract. Mark Baguley also returned to the senior team in the loss to the Dogs and is likely to retire after getting a reprieve last year following his delisting. - Callum Twomey

Dyson Heppell puts his arm around Mark Baguley after the loss to the Dogs. Picture: AFL Photos

Fremantle

Who has already called time? 
Injured duo Harley Bennell and Shane Kersten negotiated early releases from their contracts to continue their rehab away from the club.

Is it time for goodbye? 
Aaron Sandilands, 36, will hang up the boots at season's end. And Saturday night's clash with Essendon could be the last time the giant ruckman and good mate Hayden Ballantyne play at home in purple, although the 32-year-old goalsneak would consider moving elsewhere. Unrestricted free agent Stephen Hill is sidelined by another quad issue and might not be seen again before a decision on his future, while Bradley Hill and Ed Langdon have been mooted for moves to Victoria. Former skipper David Mundy remains a key player with invaluable experience and should go around in 2020 if he still has the desire. - Travis King

Big man Aaron Sandilands is calling it quits after a decorated career. Picture: AFL Photos

Geelong Cats

Who has already called time? 
The senior list remains intact with a flag within reach.

Is it time for goodbye? 
Should the Cats win the flag, it'd be the perfect time for Gary Ablett and Harry Taylor to call time but both have shown enough this year to suggest they could go again. Fringe ruckman Zac Smith is a free agent at season's end and is on the lookout for opportunities elsewhere. The former Sun will start next season as a 30-year-old but, after playing two of his three matches this season in rounds 19 and 20, has shown he's still up to the level. Fellow unrestricted free agent Lachie Henderson, 29, is waiting on an offer for next year and could be retained as insurance behind other younger key defenders. - Mitch Cleary

Gold Coast Suns

Who has already called time? 
No announcements yet.

Is it time for goodbye? 
The man at the top of this list is Michael Rischitelli. The 33-year-old has done well to force his way into the team and play the past five games, but this looks like his final year. One of the original Suns, Rischitelli should play the final round at Metricon Stadium against Greater Western Sydney. Another inaugural player is ruckman Tom Nicholls, who at 27 is out of contract and hasn't played senior footy for three years, stuck behind co-captain Jarrod Witts. Gold Coast is thin for back-up ruckmen, but he may wish to look elsewhere if the opportunity arises. - Michael Whiting

One of the inaugural Gold Coast players, Michael Rischitelli's time in the sun might be over. Picture: AFL Photos

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GWS Giants

Who has already called time? 
None of the Giants' veterans have made any calls on their future with the finals on the horizon.

Is it time for goodbye? 
Shane Mumford, Heath Shaw and Brett Deledio will sit down with the club and decide if they'll keep playing once the season has finished. Mumford is a chance to retire for a second time due to his knee issues, and another calf injury also places doubt on Deledio's career. - Adam Curley

Brett Deledio has been plagued by calf issues all season. Picture: AFL Photos

Hawthorn

Who has already called time?
Four-time premiership great  Jarryd Roughead has announced that he will play his 283rd and final game for Hawthorn on Sunday. However, with a number of players over 30 years of age on the club's books, don't expect the turnover to end there.

Is it time for goodbye?
It was a long road back for Grant Birchall. However, he is another premiership hero whose future is uncertain after another hamstring injury added to his long list of fitness issues over the last three years. Paul Puopolo is coming towards the twilight of his career, while Isaac Smith has also been linked with a move away from the Hawks. However, the wingman now appears more likely to stay, despite interest from the Western Bulldogs. Ryan Schoenmakers is yet to feature for the senior team this season, having dealt with injury issues. He's piqued the interest of rival clubs in the past and could be considered as an unrestricted free agent. Regardless, he's not likely to be at Hawthorn. - Riley Beveridge

Melbourne

Who has already called time? 
After just two career games, ongoing hip problems have seen Corey Maynard retire. He will play the season out in the VFL.

Is it time for goodbye? 
Four-time premiership Hawk Jordan Lewis looks unlikely to go around again. He's flashed signs of form recently as a tagger but after three seasons at the Demons, the 33-year-old probably won't be kept on beyond 2019. Small forward Jeff Garlett is will probably join him. Garlett, 30, had his campaign prematurely ended by shoulder surgery in July but his form has been down since booting 42 goals in 2017. Heroic co-captain Nathan Jones is out of contract but it is expected he will pen a new deal for next season. - Dinny Navaratnam

North Melbourne

Who has already called time?
Veterans Scott Thompson and Sam Wright have announced their retirement in the past fortnight, with Wright playing his final game in the VFL. Thompson will play the season out, although a concussion last week has him in some doubt for round 22.

Is it time for goodbye?
Free agent ruckman Todd Goldstein is almost certain to sign a multi-year deal to remain at Arden St, leaving only seven other players out of contract other than the retirement-bound pair. Most of those are younger footballers, with Nathan Hrovat the oldest at 25. Hrovat's VFL form is strong, but he's been unable to replicate that at AFL level and his career likely hinges on finding a third club. Where things get interesting is the possibility of the Roos trading out some of their older contracted players – and Shaun Higgins is the one most often referenced. Higgins vigorously denied on Tuesday that North had made any formal offers about extending his contract beyond next year. He is playing career-best football and seems too important to part with, but he would have appeal at a premiership contender. - Marc McGowan

Scott Thompson is retiring at the end of the season. Picture: AFL Photos

Port Adelaide

Who has already called time? 
The Power don't have anyone who has announced their retirement so far.

Is it time for goodbye? 
The Power's ruck stocks are so good – with the recently re-signed Peter Ladhams, West Coast premiership winner Scott Lycett and promising youngster Sam Hayes - that veteran big man Paddy Ryder (31 years old) might need to move clubs. Ryder has been linked to Greater Western Sydney as a solution to the Giants' ruck issues. Ryder is currently being preferred ahead of Lycett, who signed a five-year deal with the Power at the end of last season. Former Melbourne co-captain Jack Trengove, 27, has played just three senior games in two years with the Power and could struggle to remain on the list next season. Swingman Justin Westhoff turns 33 in October, but his importance, durability and versatility – he's now currently playing as a key defender – will certainly ensure he goes on in 2020. - Lee Gaskin

Could ruckman Paddy Ryder find a new home at the Giants? Picture: AFL Photos

Richmond

Who has already called time? 
Just the one retirement for the Tigers so far, with  Shaun Grigg finishing up in May with a persistent knee injury. His exit allowed Richmond to sign Marlion Pickett in the mid-season draft.

Is it time for goodbye? 
It's been a frustrating season for the out-of-contract Dan Butler, playing seven AFL games spread across three different blocks of the year. Having kicked 53 goals from his 45 matches, he could be a useful addition to another side who can offer more playing time. Brandon Ellis is a restricted free agent who, despite having re-established himself in the side, has hit pause on contract talks. Fellow premiership player Jacob Townsend was re-listed as a rookie at the end of last year, and despite some strong VFL form, has played just one AFL game. With a young list, Richmond is unlikely to have any more retirements. - Sarah Black

Will he stay or will he go? Brandon Ellis has put contract talks on hold. Picture: AFL Photos

St Kilda

Who has already called time? 
No Saints have officially retired yet.

Is it time for goodbye? 
It's looking increasingly likely Jack Steven will wind up at Geelong next season, with AFL.com.au reporting in July the Cats would attempt to lure him to the club. He's won four best and fairest awards at the Saints but a fresh start makes sense for the star midfielder who has struggled with mental health issues. St Kilda is on the road to close its season, against Sydney, so Saturday afternoon's clash with Carlton could be his last time representing the club in Melbourne. Restricted free agent Jack Newnes is every chance to be elsewhere. It's hard to imagine Dylan Roberton (heart) will take to the field again while Paddy McCartin has had a long-running battle with concussions, clouding his future. David Armitage has probably played his last game at AFL level, while key defender Nathan Brown and big man Sam Rowe could be on the way out as well. - Dinny Navaratnam

The Cats are desperate to nab four-time best and fairest winner Jack Steven. Picture: AFL Photos

Sydney Swans

Who has already called time? 
Heath Grundy retired mid-season due to a back issue, while fellow premiership hero Jarrad McVeigh will finish at the end of the season. Fellow 2012 flag hero Nick Smith also announced his immediate retirement on Wednesday after 211 games.

Is it time for goodbye? 
Kieren Jack is expected to join McVeigh and announce he'll be finishing his stellar career in a fortnight, while Daniel Menzel is another who might be moved on as Sydney focuses on youth. - Adam Curley

West Coast Eagles

Who has already called time? 
No one and it's unlikely there will be any retirements.

Is it time for goodbye? 
Some believe Josh Kennedy should hang up the boots, despite kicking 41 goals from 18 games and having a contract for next year. Unless his body is screaming for him to stop, it would be a major surprise if the dual Coleman medallist didn't go on in 2020 with West Coast in the premiership window and considering his importance to the structure of a young attack. Plus-30s Will Schofield, Lewis Jetta and Chris Masten haven't been re-signed and the Eagles are keeping cap space free for Tim Kelly but that trio should all be kept on the list next year. - Travis King

Western Bulldogs

Who has already called time? Liam Picken called time halfway through the year after dealing with ongoing concussion symptoms and he’s had his tribute game already. Tom Boyd retired in May and has stepped away from the spotlight, so it’s unlikely we’ll see him get a send-off.

Is it time for goodbye? A home game in round 23 against the Crows would be a fitting time to farewell Dale Morris if he chooses to hang up the boots, but it's never say never when it comes to a comeback with him. Jackson Trengove and Lin Jong have contracts for next year so they should stay. Matt Suckling has extended his contract by another year, though Tory Dickson is yet to re-sign and might have more value elsewhere as he reaches restricted free agency. Fletcher Roberts is also a restricted free agent and has played just two senior games this season, so he could look for a new home. - Jourdan Canil

Dale Morris after the round 19 clash against Fremantle. Picture: AFL Photos