Eddie Betts
Crows fans will riot if there's any chance Betts leaves at the end of next year. Yes, he'll be 31 by the start of the 2018 season, but after kicking a career-high 75 goals this season, you've simply got to sign him up. Re-contract now 

Jake Lever
The second-year defender is developing beautifully and has the potential to be a future leader of the club. Lock him in for the long term before rivals throw lucrative offers his way. Re-contract now

Kyle Hartigan
Played a solid role this season as a key defender in the Crows' backline. The 24-year-old will only get better with more games under his belt, but it could be worth seeing if he reproduces that form in first half of the season before re-committing. Hold off - Lee Gaskin  

Tom Rockliff
This is a delicate one for the Lions. Rockliff is their captain, but has his detractors and has sniffed around elsewhere. He is a restricted free agent next year, but is still one of their best players. Hold off 

Josh Schache
The Lions enquired about extending Schache's contract early in his first season, but the young forward wanted to concentrate on footy. They will be desperate to restart talks and lock him away long-term – and soon. Re-contract now

Tom Cutler
Fresh off the best of his three seasons, Cutler locked down a half-back spot and showed glimpses of his enormous potential. Should be a long-term player. Re-contract now - Michael Whiting

At the beginning of the season Tom Rockliff trade talk would have seemed ridiculous. Picture: AFL Photos

Dale Thomas
The former Magpie, 29, struggled for fitness and form towards the end of this season after a promising start to 2016. There is an option in his contract for 2018, but he needs to improve his output next season. Hold off

Matthew Kreuzer
The experienced ruckman, 27, shared the duties with Andrew Phillips this season and like many of his teammates struggled in the second half of 2016. Questions remain about his fitness after so many injuries. Hold off

Levi Casboult
The big forward, 26, re-signed on a one-year deal recently as the Blues pin their future hopes in attack on youngsters Harry McKay, Charlie Curnow and Jack Silvagni. While Casboult is courageous, his wayward kicking in front of goal can be costly. Hold off - Howard Kotton 

Nathan Brown
The restricted free agent battled for much of this season, doesn't provide much rebound and his kicking remains a liability, but his leadership qualities are an asset in an inexperienced line-up and the Pies would be light on for key defenders if he departed. Re-contract now 

Travis Cloke
A no-brainer, given the veteran forward wants to join the Western Bulldogs, his form has been in decline for three years and he'll be 30 in March. The Pies will do well to negotiate their way out of paying out the final year of Cloke's contract and/or receive a third-round draft pick. Trade 

Tim Broomhead
Out-of-contract midfielder/forward Tim Broomhead has the talent, but the 22-year-old just needs some luck after a bad run with injury and illness. A little more patience from the Pies should eventually be rewarded. Hold off – Ben Collins

Joe Daniher
The Bombers' leading goalkicker of the past three seasons is a vital piece of the club's plans as it regenerates its list. Daniher kicked 43 goals this year – a career high – and showed that as a 22-year-old he has a huge future. Isn't expected to leave but the club will want to tie him down as soon as possible.  Re-contract now 

Darcy Parish
Must be a priority re-signing for the Bombers. Heads into his second AFL season as one of Essendon's brightest prospects after an exciting debut season. The club started contract talks for an extension earlier this year with Parish but it remains some way off. Re-contract now 

David Zaharakis
Had an up-and-down season in 2016 playing a more permanent midfield role in the absence of many senior teammates. The 2011 best and fairest winner is a valuable player but becomes a free agent at the end of next year. Hold off - Callum Twomey

It was a strange, inconsistent season for David Zaharakis. Picture: AFL Photos

Nat Fyfe
The 2015 Brownlow medallist becomes a free agent next year but he is an absolute priority for the Dockers to re-sign. He is holding off contract talks to assess his options and his messaging has been inconsistent but the Dockers desperately want to sign him. Re-contract now 

Hayden Ballantyne
He is contracted for next year but has indicated he wants to go now and the Dockers should allow him to go while they can get something back in return. Trade 

Nick Suban
The 26-year-old will become a free agent next season but he was in and out of the side this year and given the young midfielders coming through, he will be on the fringes again in 2017. He appears open to other opportunities and the Dockers should take up any trade offers. Trade - Alex Malcolm

Jake Kolodjashnij
Medium-sized defenders with finals experience that have developed well will always be in demand. He is established and vital in the transition between eras of defenders. Re-contract now

Steven Motlop
A quality, albeit inconsistent, player that other clubs should covet, he looks to be on borrowed time at the Cats. Will command a high price at the trade table and allow the Cats to regenerate. Trade

Nakia Cockatoo
Has promised plenty in the past two years but through a combination of injury and circumstance is yet to lock in a spot. He has played 21 games and is talented but both parties will be in stronger position to assess his worth next year. Hold off - Peter Ryan 

David Swallow
Following the departures of Dion Prestia and Jaeger O'Meara, the Suns would like to lock Swallow up. Despite missing 12 months with a knee injury, he makes other players better and is someone the midfield can be built around. Re-contract now

Jack Martin
The prodigiously talented West Australian found some consistency with his body and his form in 2016, finishing third in the Suns' best and fairest. Can play anywhere on the ground and is only getting better. Re-contract now

Peter Wright
In just his second season Wright exceeded expectations, becoming a crucial forward target and forming an exciting partnership with Tom Lynch. Interest will come from everywhere, so best to lock him up long term ASAP. Re-contract now - Michael Whiting

Peter Wright has improved incredibly quickly for a big man. Picture: AFL Photos

Dylan Shiel
The 23-year-old star is the club's most explosive and damaging midfielder, will become a 100-game player next season and, as part of the leadership group, is entering his prime. Re-contract now 

Josh Kelly
The wingman had a breakout season in which he gathered 566 disposals at 23.6 per game and played every match, while also showing he's pure class with ball in hand with 14 goals. Re-contract now 

Jonathon Patton
The power forward's body finally allowed him to show why he was the first player taken in the 2011 NAB AFL draft, and he responded with a career-best season for games played (23), goals (38), and marks (131). An important part of the spine. Re-contract now - Adam Curley   

Luke Hodge
The skipper signed a one-year deal on the eve of finals and will play on in 2017 in what could be his final season. At 32, the four-time premiership Hawk is fast approaching the end but should be given the chance to retire on his own terms. The same goes for fellow veterans Shaun Burgoyne, Josh Gibson and Sam Mitchell. Hold off 

Luke Breust
The premiership forward didn't have his best season but is certainly still a valuable commodity. His name has been mentioned as part of the Jaeger O'Meara deal with Gold Coast, and while the Hawks would be keen to keep him, they know they will need to give up a big name player in order to snag O'Meara. If it gets the deal done. Trade 

Ben McEvoy
Ruckman are hard to come by, and with Jonathon Ceglar to miss all of next year with a serious knee injury, the Hawks need to lock in McEvoy before the season starts. The 27-year-old still has a few years left in him, and will be a great mentor to developing big man Marc Pittonet. Re-contract now  - Nat Edwards

Jesse Hogan
Hogan is Melbourne's greatest priority. The Demons forward is still weighing up his future as he considers lucrative offers from Fremantle and West Coast. The feeling is that Hogan is genuinely torn between loyalty to his teammates and the pull of home. If he wants to stay, the star forward is an important piece of Melbourne's future. Re-contract now

Dom Tyson
After a slow start to the season, Tyson hit a real purple patch in the back half of the year. The 23-year-old averaged 28.6 disposals in his last five games and shapes as an important cog in the Demons' improving midfield. Looks almost certain to stay at Melbourne. Re-contract now 

Christian Salem
When fit, the silky defender is a lock in Melbourne's best 22. But a thyroid illness kept Salem to just eight senior games in 2016. He then suffered a concussion in the VFL preliminary final, ruling him out of the decider. Letting Salem concentrate on getting back to full fitness should be the priority. A contract extension can be sorted out once he is back playing regular senior footy. Hold off. - Ben Guthrie 

Trent Dumont
With skipper Andrew Swallow showing signs of wear and tear, Dumont is the next inside ball-winner coming through and is starting to find his feet after 20 senior games. Re-contract now 

Aaron Black
It's been an astounding fall from grace for the 25-year-old since he booted 59 goals over the 2013 and '14 seasons and although his trade value has diminished it's time for North and Black to cut ties. Trade 

Scott Thompson
The veteran defender remains among North's most important players but he turns 31 next May and had injury concerns late in the season. With the Kangas regenerating their list, a wait-and-see approach would be prudent. Hold off - Travis King

After progressing steadily Aaron Black seems to have gone backwards at the Roos. Picture: AFL Photos

Brad Ebert
The Power will want to retain Ebert, but almost everyone is on the table. Aged 26 and with 190 games of experience, Ebert could be attractive to a club in a premiership window. The former Eagle won't be a free agent. Hold off 

Justin Westhoff
Westhoff, who turns 30 on October 1, will need a strong start next season to show he warrants a new deal. Still playing an important role at both ends for the Power. He's an unrestricted free agent at the end of 2017. Hold off

Jackson Trengove
The 25-year-old enjoyed a strong season as a makeshift ruckman and will probably return to defence next year. Deserves a new deal, but the Power should wait and see given they've already got a lot of players on long-term deals. Hold off - Lee Gaskin  

Dustin Martin
The club champion isn't expected to leave, but clubs are watching his situation intently. The Tigers tried to get him signed mid-season and need to re-start talks and lock him in long-term now. Re-contract now 

Brett Deledio
Geelong's interest has grown and trading Deledio for the right price could be a good option for the Tigers to fast-track a rebuild through the NAB AFL Draft. Only at the right price. Trade

Brandon Ellis
The outside midfielder hasn't built on a promising 2014 and he wouldn't demand a first-round draft pick right now if traded. Has great promise if he can add an inside element to his outside game. Hold off - Nathan Schmook

Jade Gresham
It was a brilliant first year for the small forward and he showed he will eventually be able to push into the midfield full-time. Needs to be re-signed before other clubs come hard for him. Re-contract now 

Tim Membrey
The former Sydney Swans forward thrived after a pre-season limited by shoulder surgery. His smarts in attack mean the Saints should have no doubt about locking him up. Re-contract now 

Jack Billings
It was an indifferent 2016 for the former top-three draft selection. His potential is obvious, but if he doesn't improve next season he could be on the trade table. Hold off – Dinny Navaratnam

Jack Billings hasn't established himself yet and could be tradeable. Picture: AFL Photos

Josh Kennedy
The game's best inside midfielder racked up a personal record of 753 touches at an average of 31.4 in 24 games, and was ranked first in the league for contested possessions and second for clearances. Re-contract now 

Isaac Heeney
Had a quality season playing forward with 28 goals from 23 games, but more importantly, has starred in his move to the wing over the last fortnight where he's averaged 30 possessions and a goal per game. Re-contract now 

Jarrad McVeigh
The co-captain has had some minor soft tissue injuries over the past two years, but is still an outstanding leader and calm influence down back. Will be a 300-game player and 32 at the end of next year, so he's not going anywhere. Hold off - Adam Curley  

Eric Mackenzie
The veteran had a really tough year but he was coming off a knee reconstruction. There have been whispers of trade interest but the Eagles do need him on the list next year and with a bit more confidence after a strong pre-season, he can allow Jeremy McGovern more flexibility. Hold off 

Mark LeCras
He will become an unrestricted free agent next year. He has already turned 30 and even though he did not have his best season, his best football is still of significant value to the Eagles. Hold off 

Jackson Nelson
The young mid-sized defender remained on the fringes this season in his second year but the talented Victorian will become important once Sam Butler finishes. His ball use and versatility are valuable assets. The Eagles would lose out if they let him go. Re-contract now - Alex Malcolm

Joel Hamling
The former Cat has been in and out of the senior side in his two seasons at Whitten Oval, but he's been a very solid servant during the Dogs' finals campaign. His intercept marking has been impressive and is genuinely a good decision-maker. Re-contract now

Mitch Honeychurch
The tough midfielder has played only two senior games in 2016 despite impressive VFL form. The 21-year-old reportedly had interest from Essendon last trade period and would be a handy addition to a club looking for a hard-running and fierce-tacking ball-winner. Trade 

Nathan Hrovat
The fourth-year midfielder has struggled with injuries in 2016, but proved his worth with four-straight games in the latter part of the season. The former Vic Metro captain is a good user of the footy, he just needs to find more of it. Hold off - Ryan Davidson 

Joel Hamling has proven his worth late in the season. Picture: AFL Photos