Free agents:
Graham Johncock (unrestricted)
Jason Porplyzia (unrestricted)
Ben Rutten (unrestricted)
Scott Thompson (restricted)
Re-signed:
Brent Reilly (unrestricted, 2015)
Nathan van Berlo (restricted, 2016)
Midfielder Scott Thompson, 30, and key defender Ben Rutten, 30 in two weeks, remain two of Adelaide's most valuable players and football industry sources say they are extremely likely to be in Crows colours again next year. Graham Johncock, 30, has played just two games for the Crows this season despite strong form in the SANFL. He has been recast as a small forward since Brenton Sanderson took over as coach in 2012, but could appeal to opposition clubs looking for a classy small defender or forward.
BRISBANE LIONS
Free agents:
Simon Black (unrestricted)
Jonathan Brown (unrestricted)
Re-signed:
Joel Patfull (restricted)
The Lions are sitting pretty, having already re-signed the cornerstones of their defence, Daniel Merrett (before the AFL's official free agency list was released in March) and Joel Patfull. Despite his promising return from a knee injury, Brownlow medallist Simon Black is likely to retire, but skipper Jonathan Brown remains a chance to play on for the Lions in 2014.
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Carlton
Free agents:
Eddie Betts (restricted)
Heath Scotland (unrestricted)
Re-signed:
Andrew Carrazzo (unrestricted)
The Blues' top-two place-getters in last year's best and fairest, Heath Scotland and Eddie Betts, are their remaining free agents. AFL.com.au understands talks between Betts, 26, and Carlton are on hold, but as a restricted free agent the Blues can keep him by matching any offer from a rival club. Scotland, 32, has started 2013 in form that suggests he can play on next season and, if he does so, it is likely to be at Carlton.
COLLINGWOOD
Free agents:
Alan Didak (unrestricted)
Ben Johnson (unrestricted)
Nick Maxwell (restricted)
Dale Thomas (restricted)
Alan Toovey (unrestricted)
Dale Thomas said in March he would not open contract talks with the Magpies until he had returned to full fitness and top form and nothing has changed. Those talks might now be pushed back even further given Thomas will be sidelined for 12-16 weeks after ankle surgery on Tuesday. Alan Toovey, 26, will not play again until next season after recently undergoing a knee reconstruction, but is likely to be a priority re-signing for the Pies after Nathan Buckley recently labelled him Collingwood's best small defender. Industry sources are adamant skipper Nick Maxwell is not going anywhere, while Alan Didak, 30, and Ben Johnson, 32, are also extremely unlikely to move but could consider retirement.
Injured Magpie Dale Thomas is currently a restricted free agent. Picture: AFL Media
ESSENDON
Free agents:
Dustin Fletcher (unrestricted)
David Hille (unrestricted)
Nathan Lovett-Murray (unrestricted)
Jason Winderlich (unrestricted)
Captain Jobe Watson will remain a Bomber, but sources say Essendon could face a salary cap squeeze as it tries to negotiate new deals with him and a host of out-of-contract players including Stewart Crameri, Tom Bellchambers, Cale Hooker, Scott Gumbleton and Jake Melksham. If so, Jason Winderlich, 28, who has been in good form since returning from injury this year, and Nathan Lovett-Murray, 30, could be targeted by rival clubs with more salary cap room. Evergreen defender Dustin Fletcher, 38, could stretch his career at Essendon into an AFL record 22nd season next year, but David Hille, who turns 32 next month, is almost certain to retire, having been talked into playing again this year by the club.
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FREMANTLE
Free agents:
None
Re-signed:
Michael Johnson (unrestricted, 2015)
The Dockers will only be involved in October's free agency period if they choose to again pursue opposition talent. They snared Danyle Pearce in last year's trade period and have been widely linked to Hawk free agent Lance Franklin this year.
GEELONG
Free agents:
Paul Chapman (unrestricted)
Joel Corey (unrestricted)
Corey Enright (unrestricted)
Josh Hunt (unrestricted)
Mathew Stokes (unrestricted)
Stokes, 28, has been in career-best form this season and will attract significant opposition interest, but, Gary Ablett aside, the Cats have been able to retain their stars in their triple premiership era and will back themselves to do so again. If, as seems likely, veterans Paul Chapman, Corey Enright and Joel Corey play on again next year it should be in Cats colours. After a pre-season bout of glandular fever and subsequent shoulder problems, Josh Hunt, 31, returned as the Cats' substitute against Collingwood last Saturday night. AFL.com.au understands Hunt is keen to play on next year and will be intent on using the remainder of 2013 to prove he is not finished as an AFL footballer.
HAWTHORN
Free agents:
Max Bailey (unrestricted)
Xavier Ellis (unrestricted)
Lance Franklin (restricted
Brent Guerra (unrestricted)
Michael Osborne (unrestricted)
Re-signed:
Luke Hodge (unrestricted, 2014)
Sam Mitchell (unrestricted, term unknown)
Free agency essentially boils down to one name for the Hawks this season – Lance Franklin. In February, the star spearhead put contract talks on hold until the end of the season and has been linked to Fremantle and Greater Western Sydney among other clubs. The speculation will only abate when he re-signs or resigns. Veterans Guerra, 32 in two weeks, and Osborne, 30, will make calls on their futures later in the year, but if they play on will almost certainly stay at Hawthorn. Ruckman Max Bailey has started 2013 in strong form and is likely to stay and repay the faith the Hawks have shown in his injury-ravaged 30-game career. Xavier Ellis has been plagued by injury in the past two seasons, but was part of the Hawks' finals campaign last year. Ellis is set to return from a calf injury soon and, at 25, will be looking for a strong second half of the season.
MELBOURNE
Free agents:
Aaron Davey (restricted)
Colin Sylvia (unrestricted)
The turmoil at Melbourne means there's unlikely to be much movement on player contracts this early in the season. Colin Sylvia, 27, has been one of the few Demons producing on-field in 2013 and given his prodigious, if unfulfilled, talent will attract significant opposition interest. Sources say Sylvia is adopting a wait-and-see approach, with his ultimate decision to take into account any changes to Melbourne's football department. Davey's form has improved recently but the player who came close to being named Demons captain at the end of 2010 is no certainty to be offered a contract extension by Melbourne. However, Davey, 30 next month, was once one of the competition's premier small forwards and could appeal to a stronger team.
Colin Sylvia's undoubted talent could see the restricted free agent change clubs. Picture: AFL Media
NORTH MELBOURNE
Free agents:
Michael Firrito (unrestricted)
Brent Harvey (unrestricted)
Re-signed:
Scott McMahon (unrestricted, 2015)
Drew Petrie (unrestricted, 2015)
Having re-signed co-vice-captain Petrie for a further two years two weeks ago, North is very well placed ahead of this year's free agency period. Firrito, 29, and Harvey, 35, are highly unlikely to move. Firrito's strong start to 2013 should see him rewarded with a contract for 2014, while Harvey will make a decision on his playing future towards the end of the season.
PORT ADELAIDE
Free agents:
Kane Cornes (restricted)
Brett Ebert (unrestricted)
Tom Logan (unrestricted)
Matt Thomas (unrestricted)
Re-signed:
Alipate Carlile (restricted, 2017)
Kane Cornes, 30, has been rejuvenated under new Port coach Ken Hinkley and should play on at the Power. Port's three remaining free agents, Brett Ebert, Tom Logan and Matt Thomas, have yet to play in the AFL this season. Ebert, 29, had groin surgery in April, and is three weeks away from playing, according to the club's latest injury list. Power director of coaching Alan Richardson said last month Ebert remained an important player for Port with his marking in attack, but he will need to demonstrate in the second half of 2013 that his body can still withstand the rigours of the AFL. Thomas, 26, has been in outstanding form in the SANFL and could attract opposition interest after Richmond made an unsuccessful play for him in last October's trade period. Logan, 27, has been unable to break into Port's team this season under new coach Ken Hinkley, but might appeal to a team looking for a versatile and hard-bodied player.
RICHMOND
Free agents:
Daniel Jackson (unrestricted)
Luke McGuane (unrestricted)
Chris Newman (unrestricted)
Shane Tuck (unrestricted)
Matthew White (unrestricted)
Sources suggest Luke McGuane is the Tiger free agent who will attract the most opposition interest this year. McGuane, 26, has reinvented himself as a high-marking forward alongside Jack Riewoldt and Tyrone Vickery this season and would appeal to teams light on for key forwards. The Tigers' task of re-signing their free agents is complicated by what already shapes as a busy year of contract negotiations, with captain Trent Cotchin, Jack Riewoldt, Dustin Martin, Reece Conca and Alex Rance among those coming out of contract this year. Matt White, 26, has played just two games this season and could interest teams looking to inject speed into their midfields. Daniel Jackson, 27, and former skipper Chris Newman, 31 on Saturday, should play on with the Tigers in 2014, but Shane Tuck, 31, could consider retirement.
Luke McGuane's resurgent form this year is attracting the interest of other clubs. Picture: AFL Media
ST KILDA
Free agents:
Jason Blake (unrestricted)
Nick Dal Santo (restricted)
Lenny Hayes (unrestricted)
Justin Koschitzke (unrestricted)
Stephen Milne (unrestricted)
The Saints appear unlikely to lose any free agents to rival clubs this year, but up to four of their five free agents could retire. Of these veterans, Lenny Hayes and Stephen Milne, both 33, are the most likely to play on, with Jason Blake, 32, and Justin Koschitzke, 30, likely to hang their boots up. Nick Dal Santo, 29, has a clause in his current contract that guarantees him another season at the Saints provided he passes a medical at the end of this year.
SYDNEY SWANS
Free agents:
Jude Bolton (unrestricted)
Re-signed:
Adam Goodes (unrestricted, 2014)
Nick Malceski (unrestricted, 2014)
The Swans will go for a second successive year without losing a player to free agency. Having re-signed Adam Goodes and Nick Malceski to the end of 2014, their only remaining free agent is Jude Bolton, 33. Bolton's solid start to 2013 means he could yet extend his career into a 16th season at the Swans next year.
WEST COAST
Free agents:
Dean Cox (unrestricted)
Andrew Embley (unrestricted)
Darren Glass (unrestricted)
Mark LeCras (restricted)
Mark Nicoski (unrestricted)
Adam Selwood (unrestricted)
Re-signed:
Beau Waters (unrestricted, 2015)
Most interest surrounds restricted free agent Mark LeCras, who has made an outstanding return from the knee injury that sidelined him last season. The 26-year-old forward/midfielder will be a priority re-signing for the Eagles, but will be able to field attractive offers from rival clubs if he chooses. AFL.com.au understands six-time All-Australian Dean Cox, 31, and captain Darren Glass, 32, are set to play on with the Eagles next season, while Andrew Embley, 32 next month, is also likely to play on if his form and fitness warrants it.
Mark LeCras' strong form following a serious knee injury has other clubs looking at the restricted free agent. Picture: AFL Media
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Free agents:
Dylan Addison (unrestricted)
Adam Cooney (restricted)
Daniel Cross (unrestricted)
Daniel Giansiracusa (unrestricted)
Dale Morris (restricted)
The Bulldogs have put off talks with Adam Cooney until later in the season, heartened by the 27-year-old's return to form this year but keen to further monitor his degenerative right knee. Dale Morris, 30, has made a strong return from the broken leg that sidelined him last season and, form and fitness permitting, looks set to play on with the Bulldogs. Daniel Giansiracusa, 31, has been in solid form this year, but is understood to be considering retiring at the end of the season to pursue an assistant coaching role. Daniel Cross, 30, could also consider retirement. Dylan Addison, 25, has never really cemented a regular senior spot in eight seasons at the Dogs, but has youth on his side in his bid to play on.
