Graham Johncock hung up his boots earlier in the season after 227 AFL games and could well be the only player at the club to call it quits in 2013. Ian Callinan is the only other member of the squad who's over 30 and not in the Crows' best 22 – with Scott Thompson and Ben Rutten (both 30) still important parts of the side. - Harry Thring

 

The retirement cloud looms large over the Lions' two biggest names - superstars Simon Black and Jonathan Brown. Although saying he would make a final decision come season's end, Black has indicated for much of the year this is likely to be his 16th and final campaign. Persistent knee and groin injuries might make his mind up for him. Brown is a little more delicate. Like his great mate Black, the Lions co-captain says he will make a call at the end of the season. Brown's form has been solid, particularly over the past month, and what he brings to the team with leadership can't be undersold. Whether he can drag his battered body through another pre-season might be the ultimate judge on the 31-year-old's future. - Michael Whiting

Alan Didak won't be running around in the black-and-white next year. Look closely and you'll see him among the throng wearing the green and gold, cheering on the Socceroos at next year's FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Darren Jolly and Andrew Krakouer will also be the subject of speculation at the end of the season. Both are on the wrong side of 30, have had interrupted seasons and the Pies would appear to have ready-made replacements in the wings. - Ashley Browne

David Hille looks a near certainty to retire, after being persuaded into playing on in 2013 to strengthen the club's ruck stocks. He has played only three games this season. Dustin Fletcher could join him, having had a few injury issues in this season, his 21st in the competition since debuting in 1993. Nathan Lovett-Murray is the other Bomber who could be in line to hang up the boots. The 30-year-old utility has managed only two games this year. - Callum Twomey

While the Dockers have their share of stars entering the twilight of their careers, there are unlikely to be any retirements in 2013. Captain Matthew Pavlich, Luke McPharlin and Aaron Sandilands are the only players aged over 30 on Fremantle's list, but all three are contracted until the end of 2014 as the club pushes for its first premiership. The career of 21-year-old Jayden Pitt is on hold due to a heart irregularity that was diagnosed this year. It is unclear what the midfielder's next step will be. - Nathan Schmook

The Cats are likely to have three players hang up their boots at the end of the season, with Paul Chapman, Josh Hunt and Joel Corey expected call time on their careers. All three are playing this season on one-year contracts. The trio have been brilliant contributors to Geelong's period of dominance, with Chapman and Corey playing in three premierships and Hunt notching two. - Adam McNicol

At the start of the season, it looked like 2013 might be Campbell Brown's last. The Hawthorn premiership player was talking like it might be his swansong, but after missing the first six weeks through suspension, the 29-year-old has played like a rookie again and now seems all-but assured of earning another contract. Vice-captain Nathan Bock has had a wretched season as he continues to recover from a broken leg sustained early in 2012. Despite turning 30 and not playing a senior match for almost 16 months, Guy McKenna has assured Bock he is part of their plans, so don't expect the 2008 All Australian to hang up the boots just yet. - Michael Whiting

Veteran Chad Cornes announced his retirement in July after 255 career games (16 with the Giants). Meanwhile, you would expect Dean Brogan to finally bring to a close his 'John Farnham-esque' comeback tour at the end of this year. Both Cornes, 33, and Brogan, 34, will have served their purpose in helping fast track the development of the next generation of Giants. Setanta O'hAilpin is unlikely to be offered a new contract at the end of the year so, unless he can find a suitor, he may pull the pin. Another former Blue, Bret Thornton, may also be forced to hang up the boots after managing just one senior game to date this season. - Ben Guthrie

A hamstring injury to Brett Ebert at the weekend came at the worst possible time for the 166-game veteran. Injuries combined with Port's resurgence haven't allowed Ebert to play a single game this season and it appears his time as an AFL player could be over. The club's other 30-year-olds, Kane Cornes and Domenic Cassisi, are both contracted for next year and while others may depart, that's likely going to be due to delisting rather than retirement. - Harry Thring

Shane Tuck has been on year-to-year contracts and was talked out of retirement last season. At 31, he's yet to sign anything and has only just returned to the seniors after being struck down by a scapula injury in round seven. Chris Newman, also 31, is the second oldest after Tuck but just signed a one-year extension to take him into a 14th season. Orren Stephenson – the only other Tiger over 30 – has only played when Ivan Maric has been missing or hampered (four games). He commutes from Ballarat and is yet to state his plans for next year. The Tigers’ plans for Stephenson’s future are unknown but the fact their ruck stocks are thin might save him. - Jennifer Phelan

There are intriguing possibilities for some Swans veterans and none appear straightforward. Jude Bolton is the most likely to hang up the boots, but he has played every game this year and carved out an important small forward role, kicking 21 goals. He just loves to play footy and it's no fait accompli he will retire. Lewis Roberts-Thomson is only 29, yet he hasn't played since round four and the extent of his knee injury could determine his future. Rhyce Shaw will be hoping to finally get back in the senior team in the coming weeks and the 31-year-old's form will dictate his plans beyond this year. Adam Goodes is contracted for 2014 and would be expected to play on, but battling yet another knee injury this year might be taking a toll and the club's performance in September may force his hand one way or another. - James Dampney

Darren Glass has yet to commit to next season and has played his cards very close to his chest on whether he will go on. Mark Nicoski has not played since 2011 and while the Eagles have committed to support the injury-prone 29-year-old, his future must be questioned. Adam Selwood has battled injury all year and despite being a favourite of John Worsfold's he may be another to depart. Andrew Embley and Daniel Kerr are curious cases. Kerr is contracted but can't get fit, Embley is fit but keeps getting suspended. Whether the club can accommodate both depends on a number of factors. Dean Cox should continue and break the club's games record. - Alex Malcolm

The footy future of Daniel Cross is very much up in the air, with the veteran unable to break into the senior side despite making the best in the VFL most weeks. At 30, it's unclear if he is ready to hang up the boots, or whether he would consider taking an opportunity at another club. Daniel Giansiracusa is almost certain to give it away at season's end, despite being an important contributor up forward. He's interesting in the coaching caper, and will assess his options in that field. Dale Morris turns 31 in December, but after a strong comeback from his badly broken leg, he is unlikely to retire anytime soon. - Jacqui Reed