May is not yet here, but AFL list managers already know which players might be keeping them at arm’s length as they try to plan for next year and beyond.
We have scoured through each of the 18 clubs’ out-of-contract group to find the most interesting names, some of whom may be playing in different colours in 2027.
Adelaide
Sam Berry
The rugged inside midfielder is averaging what are comfortably career-best numbers in disposals (21.6), contested possessions (12.9), uncontested possessions (10.6), clearances (5.1), centre clearances (2.7) and score involvements (4.9). Berry, from Maffra, put negotiations on hold the last time he was out of contract two years ago amid Victorian interest in him, and he is even more appealing in 2026. The Crows will hope to lock him away early.
Three others to watch: Brayden Cook, Chayce Jones, Luke Pedlar.
Brisbane Lions
Sam Marshall
The Lions have a midfield logjam, and Marshall is yet to appear this season after playing 11 games in his debut campaign in 2025, including last year’s grand final win. What Zac Bailey and Lachie Neale decide could be a factor in Marshall’s decision. The academy graduate played for Melbourne Grammar and Sandringham Dragons in his draft year, which Victorian clubs looking to add a hard-running wingman/midfielder are aware of.
Three others to watch: Zac Bailey, Lachie Neale, James Tunstill.
Carlton
Zac Williams
The former Giant accepted a lucrative offer from the Blues at the end of 2020, when he was a restricted free agent. Williams is an unrestricted free agent this time, and holds plenty of appeal with his versatility and kicking skills. The plan entering the season was for him to settle at half-back, but he has had plenty of centre-bounce exposure in the past three weeks as Carlton search for solutions to their early season woes.
Three others to watch: Ollie Hollands, Adam Saad, Lewis Young.
Collingwood
Ed Allan
Allan, the son of ex-Docker and Hawk Ben, has not been able to cement his spot in the Magpies’ senior side since being a top-20 pick in the 2022 draft. The 194-centimetre West Australian racked up 64 disposals across two VFL appearances this year, so seems ready to graduate permanently from that level. Collingwood have an ageing list, so won’t want to lose Allan, but he might receive an irresistible offer to return to his home state.
Three others to watch: Joel Cochran, Billy Frampton, Iliro Smit.
Essendon
Archie Perkins
Perkins was a top-10 selection, but has not reached the heights the Bombers – or he – would have hoped for, including being dropped after the club’s round four loss to the Bulldogs and not getting back in since. He has shown glimpses without being a consistent impact player up forward or in midfield cameos, so another club may be willing to invest in him if Essendon and the Perkins camp decide he needs a fresh start.
Three others to watch: Tom Edwards, Jade Gresham, Elijah Tsatas.
Fremantle
Sam Switkowski
Negotiations have begun between the Dockers and Switkowski’s management, but Victorian clubs will likely monitor the situation. Switkowski has become one of the game’s best pressure forwards since Fremantle plucked him from VFL club Box Hill in the 2017 draft. He turns 30 in November, so that might limit his suitors, but he is a proven commodity who might appeal to a contending team hunting a veteran small forward.
Three others to watch: Matt Johnson, Charlie Nicholls, Sam Sturt.
Geelong
Jhye Clark
Clark is a Geelong Falcons product, so his preference would be to stay, but the Cats are proving a tough team to break into (at least regularly) for the top-10 pick in his fourth season. He has spent time in every area of the ground in his time at Kardinia Park, and played in last year’s grand final loss, but there might come a time when he wants a clearer path to AFL games. One Cat no longer on the market is Ollie Wiltshire, who has inked a one-year extension.
Three others to watch: Jacob Molier, Mark O’Connor, Joe Pike.
Gold Coast
Jed Walter
There are several options at the Suns, given the wealth of talent at their disposal, but hulking young key forward Walter is our choice. As everyone waits to see what restricted free agent spearhead Ben King decides, Walter could be a quality back-up option for clubs that miss out on the King twin. Some teams may even prioritise him. Walter has had an army of admirers since before Gold Coast matched a draft bid on their academy product at No.3 in 2023.
Three others to watch: Alex Davies, Caleb Graham, Jake Rogers.
GWS
Kieren Briggs
The new ruck rules have helped some and harmed others, but whatever the reason, the Giants prefer fellow big man Nick Madden – with Leek Aleer giving him a spell – over Briggs at the moment. Madden’s contract also expires at season’s end, and there is interest in which of the pair emerges on top. Briggs played 61 matches across the past three seasons and turns 27 in October, so he would be a ready-made option for a club in need of a ruck.
Three others to watch: Max Gruzewski, Jesse Hogan, Jake Riccardi.
Hawthorn
Mitch Lewis
The giant key forward is an unrestricted free agent and has a major decision to make. Lewis blossomed from a speculative draft pick into a genuine target, but the Hawks have a bevy of tall options in attack, including emerging quartet Calsher Dear, Will McCabe, Aidan Schubert and Max Ramsden. Hawthorn’s depth may give them pause when considering matching potential offers, with Collingwood one interested suitor.
Three others to watch: Henry Hustwaite, Bailey Macdonald, Cam Mackenzie.
Melbourne
Tom Sparrow
Lots is being made of ex-St Kilda captain Jack Steele’s impact in the red and blue, but fellow midfielder Sparrow is putting together a career-best campaign, averaging 19 disposals, four clearances and six tackles. The South Australian has long been a fixture in the Demons’ senior side, but is embracing the extra opportunity in the post-Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver era. Both Port Adelaide and Adelaide are interested in Sparrow, an unrestricted free agent.
Three others to watch: Kade Chandler, Matt Jefferson, Bailey Laurie.
North Melbourne
Zane Duursma
The jungle drums were beating about Duursma wanting out of Arden St last year, but he is enjoying his best stretch of form this season, even if he still has more to give. As a top-five pick, he will command a decent contract – and has more power now because of his contract status. Duursma oozes talent, athleticism and skill, and his next deal will be based on his potential rather than his production. Would he consider joining one of his brothers at Essendon or West Coast?
Three others to watch: Wil Dawson, Riley Hardeman, George Wardlaw.
Port Adelaide
Zak Butters
No player is more integral to the Power, who are desperate to retain the gun midfielder. The problem is, Butters has a significant pull home to Victoria, and there is a long list of interested clubs, including – but not limited to – the Western Bulldogs, Geelong, Richmond, Hawthorn and Collingwood. Any compensation, whether in free agency or a possible trade, would aid Port’s efforts to match a bid on academy prospect Dougie Cochrane, the likely No.1 pick.
Three others to watch: Ollie Lord, Ollie Wines, Brandon Zerk-Thatcher.
Richmond
Nathan Broad
The triple premiership-winning defender just turned 33, but continues to perform at a good level. Broad previously rejected opposition interest, most notably from North Melbourne, to re-sign with the Tigers. However, Broad is from Western Australia and his agent Colin Young said they would discuss his future around mid-year, but he appears open to returning to his home state for family reasons. West Coast coach Andrew McQualter and list boss Matt Clarke both worked at Richmond.
Three others to watch: Liam Fawcett, Oliver Hayes-Brown, Tyler Sonsie.
St Kilda
Darcy Wilson
Wilson is one of the Saints’ most promising young players and viewed as a significant part of the club’s future – but he remains without a deal for next season. His third year in the AFL has been his best yet, averaging a career-high 20 disposals and six contested possessions. St Kilda have invested heavily to bring in experienced talent, so they would not want to lose one of their first-round draftees, particularly one performing as well as Wilson.
Three others to watch: Alex Dodson, Dougal Howard, Isaac Keeler.
Sydney
Joel Amartey
Amartey has developed into a pivotal member of the Swans’ forward line, but is an unrestricted free agent at season’s end and will have options elsewhere. The Beaumaris product has Charlie Curnow and Logan McDonald as big-money company in the club’s attack, but has positioned himself for a strong payday, too, with 16 goals in seven games this year. Sydney might need to get creative to fit him into their salary cap after already retaining another free agent, Justin McInerney.
Three others to watch: Taylor Adams, Harry Cunningham, Jake Lloyd.
West Coast
Bailey Williams
The year’s surprise restricted free agent, thanks to a back-ended contract, is a springy, mobile and versatile big man, but it is unclear what his market would be if he explored his options. That said, there is always a need for ruckmen, particularly with the new rules. Williams is from Victoria, where he came through the Dandenong Stingrays’ program, and his decision may depend on conversations about where he fits into the rebuilding Eagles’ longer-term plans.
Three others to watch: Harry Barnett, Matt Flynn, Ryan Maric.
Western Bulldogs
Buku Khamis
Khamis appears to have locked in a spot at the Kennel as an intercept defender in a contract year, mere months after his failed trade request to Carlton. The Dogs never wanted to lose him, but he has not always been a first-choice player. They are now working hard to retain him beyond this season, offering him as many as three years on a new deal. Whether Khamis remains in the senior side could determine what happens next.
Three others to watch: Jedd Busslinger, Arthur Jones, Adam Treloar.
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