• Check out 2015's official restricted and unrestricted free agents
• In-demand free agent Rance can walk
WHO are this year's most attractive free agents?
The AFL released its official 2015 free agency list on Tuesday afternoon, with 11 restricted free agents and 56 unrestricted free agents potentially up for grabs at the end of the season.
AFL.com.au has compiled a list of this year's 12 most valuable free agents, ranking them on ability, durability and the length of service they can offer a new team.
We also have deliberately overlooked veterans such as Hawthorn skipper Luke Hodge, Carlton superstar Chris Judd, Fremantle skipper Matthew Pavlich and Geelong premiership heroes Jimmy Bartel and Steve Johnson who appear all but certain to re-sign with their clubs or retire.
1. Tom Hawkins
Patrick Dangerfield might have attracted most of this year's free agency headlines, but Hawkins is one of the competition's rarest beasts – a star power forward. Unfortunately for those clubs crying out for a spearhead, the 26-year-old has never looked like leaving Geelong.
Will he stay or go? Likely to re-sign with Geelong soon on a long-term deal that will be worth around $750,000 a season.
2. Patrick Dangerfield
At this early stage, the banner boy of the 2015 free agency pool has narrowed the decision on his football future down to two options – go home to Geelong or stay at Adelaide. Some believe $800-850,000 could get the deal done for the Cats, although others expect they will have to pay closer to $1 million. The Crows appear to have the salary cap room to match any offer for the restricted free agent and could be prepared to offer the 25-year-old more than Geelong. Should other clubs get an inkling that Dangerfield has changed his mind and will consider alternative new homes, they will come hard at him, with Collingwood, Hawthorn and Richmond likely to lead the charge.
Will he stay or go? The star midfielder seems genuinely torn between the Crows and Cats, but most industry insiders suspect the lure of family at nearby Moggs Creek will sway him to pick Geelong.
3. Alex Rance
The West Australian deferred contract talks with Richmond in January and has already attracted keen interest from Fremantle. However, the 25-year-old's family are now living in Melbourne and he is understood to be happy at Richmond. Quality key defenders are a rare commodity so the 2014 All Australian will almost certainly be able to field other rival offers if he remains on the market.
Will he stay or go? After an up-and-down start to his career, Rance is playing outstanding football under Damien Hardwick so it's hard to see him leaving Punt Road. The Tigers could have to pay up to $600,000 a season to keep him though.
4. Jack Steven
St Kilda has been chasing additional early draft picks in recent years so was happy to let free agent Nick Dal Santo go to North Melbourne at the end of 2013. However, the Saints know they cannot afford to let a midfielder at the height of his powers go and are trying to tie Steven up on a big-money deal. Geelong is among a number of clubs said to be interested in the former Geelong Falcon, who turns 25 on Saturday.
Will he stay or go? Steven put pen to paper on Thursday, signing a new long-term deal.
The Saints have tied up star midfielder Jack Steven on a big-money deal. Picture: AFL Media.
5.. Scott Selwood
The Eagles vice-captain put talks with West Coast on hold last month, keen to focus on returning to fitness and form after the ankle problems that dogged him last year. At 25, Selwood is one of the Eagles' emerging on-field leaders and looms as a key plank of their midfield for at least the next five years. But the hard-nosed Victorian is on the radar of rival clubs and some believe he will be reunited with brother Joel at Geelong.
Will he stay or go? Selwood seems to bleed blue and gold so it's hard to see him leaving West Coast. The Eagles will have to pay to keep him though, with a long-term deal of up to $600,000 a season on the cards.
6. Tom Bellchambers
The Essendon big man is highly rated by rival clubs as one of the few AFL ruckmen who can be genuinely dangerous pinch-hitting in the forward line. However, most rival clubs have an established No.1 ruckman and the Bombers can't afford to lose the 25-year-old after Patrick Ryder left at the end of last year. The Sydney Swans might have been interested but their AFL-imposed recruiting restrictions almost certainly put them out of the frame.
Will he stay or go? A safe bet to stay with the Bombers.
7. Richard Douglas
Douglas is one of three key midfielders Adelaide has coming out of contract at the end of this season, the others being fellow free agent Patrick Dangerfield and Rory Sloane. The 28-year-old would appear to be the lowest priority re-signing of the trio but it's understood his future won't be dependent on how the Crows' negotiations with Dangerfield and Sloane go. Douglas would appeal to opposition clubs but his asking price – believed to be at least $500,000 a season – could scare some off.
Will he stay or go? Although he could be happy to bide his time before deciding his future, Douglas will likely re-sign with the Crows.
Crow Richard Douglas could command at least $500,000 a year on the open market. Picture: AFL Media.
8. Matthew Suckling
The defender is one of the best kicks in the competition but finds himself a fair way down the Hawks' pay scales given the reigning premiers' riches of top-end talent. The 26-year-old will probably be offered less than $400,000 a season to stay at Hawthorn, but could attract offers of up to $450,000 elsewhere.
Will he stay or go? His future could depend on whether the Hawks are again active in this year's free agency and trade markets.
9. Michael Johnson
As a 30-year-old at a club that's still a premiership contender, Johnson would appear a sure thing – fitness permitting – to re-sign with Fremantle. However, North Melbourne showed last year with its recruitment of Jarrad Waite that clubs in contention could take a punt on players over 30 when they fill a specific need. Will teams needing a key defender make a play for Johnson later this year? Will he be tempted if it appears the Dockers' premiership window has closed? Maybe. But even if Freo lands Alex Rance, it will almost certainly want to hold on to Johnson given Luke McPharlin is set to retire at the end of this season.
Will he stay or go? Likely to stay.
10. Matthew Leuenberger
There is no doubting the ruckman's talent but the Brisbane Lions have signalled they will wait to see whether the 26-year-old can put his recurring injury problems behind him before starting talks. It will also be interesting to see whether he and Stefan Martin, who was a revelation late last year, can jell together in the same team, given most clubs have been reluctant to play two ruckmen since the substitute rule was introduced.
Will he stay or go? Believed to be happy and settled in Brisbane, his future should become clearer by the middle of 2015.
11. Matthew Kreuzer
Another ruckman looking to put a horror run of injury behind him, Kreuzer will miss at least the first few rounds of 2015 with a foot injury. As one of the hardest workers in the game, 2007's No.1 draft pick is universally admired at Ikon Park. The 25-year-old is also fiercely loyal and extremely unlikely to test the free agency market.
Will he stay or go? Stay.
12. Colin Garland
The 191cm utility will understandably wait to see whether Melbourne can finally start to turn their on-field fortunes around this year. The 26-year-old's ability to play at both ends of the ground should attract significant rival interest the longer the year goes on, while Melbourne's prolonged mediocrity has seen it lose a player in each of free agency's first three years (Jared Rivers, Colin Sylvia and James Frawley).
Will he stay or go? If Melbourne doesn't show significant improvement in 2015, Garland will probably go.
Twitter: @AFL_Nick
