Free Agents

Player		Status	On the Move?
		RICKY HENDERSON ADELAIDE	Unrestricted	The defender has struggled for senior opportunities this season and attracted strong interest from clubs in his home state of Victoria when he last came out of contract. Is believed to have satisfied a trigger clause that would see him play on with the Crows in 2017, but could opt to explore rival opportunities before recommitting.
		SCOTT THOMPSON ADELAIDE	Unrestricted	The 33-year-old made an outstanding start to 2016, but his form has dropped off recently. A decision on whether he plays on with Adelaide in 2017 will be made towards the end of the season, but it seems unlikely both he and fellow veteran Nathan van Berlo will continue.
		NATHAN VAN BERLO ADELAIDE	Unrestricted	The former skipper managed just three games in the first half of the season and appears to have fallen behind the Crows' new generation of midfielders. Only turned 30 in June, but will be playing for his football future in the remainder of the year.
		DANIEL RICH BRISBANE LIONS	Re-signed	Committed himself to the Lions long-term when he re-signed for another five years in March.
		DENNIS ARMFIELD CARLTON	Unrestricted	Was a free agent last year and appeared line-ball to play on in 2016 before signing a one-year deal late in the piece. Carlton is in no hurry to start talks with most of its out-of-contract players this year, but Armfield is every chance to extend his career given his outstanding recent form.
		KADE SIMPSON CARLTON	Unrestricted	After being appointed Carlton vice-captain in 2016, the 31-year-old is likely to play on at Ikon Park next season, fitness and form permitting.
		JARRYD BLAIR COLLINGWOOD	Unrestricted	The small forward has played every game this season but has yet to start negotiations on a new deal with Collingwood. Talks are expected to start soon after the Magpies' round 13 bye, but rival clubs are monitoring Blair's situation closely.
		NATHAN BROWN COLLINGWOOD	Restricted	Was dropped after playing the first six rounds, casting doubts on whether there's still a permanent spot for him in Collingwood's back six. Experienced key defenders are hard to find, however, so opposition clubs are circling Brown with growing interest. The level of senior opportunities he enjoys in the second half of this season will likely shape his post-2016 plans.
		BRENT MACAFFER COLLINGWOOD	Unrestricted	Finally back to full fitness after a knee reconstruction in August 2014, but has been out of favour since playing this season's opening two rounds. Macaffer's VFL form has been solid but the 28-year-old seems to be playing for his football future over the remainder of the season.
		STEELE SIDEBOTTOM COLLINGWOOD	Re-signed	Sidebottom attracted significant rival interest before re-committing to the Magpies on a five-year deal, understood to be worth around $3 million
		DANE SWAN COLLINGWOOD	Unrestricted	The 32-year-old faces a difficult decision on his future after suffering a severe foot injury in round one that is likely to sideline him for the rest of 2016. The 2011 Brownlow medallist will likely take his time before deciding whether to extend his career at the Holden Centre into a 16th season.
		ALAN TOOVEY COLLINGWOOD	Unrestricted	The 29-year-old defender remains a solid contributor at Collingwood and is highly valued for his off-field leadership, but contract talks are unlikely to start until late in the season.
		COURTENAY DEMPSEY ESSENDON	Unrestricted	The 28-year-old needs to produce a good season to extend his career at Tullamarine. Talks with Essendon won't start until later in the year.
		HEATH HOCKING ESSENDON	Re-signed	Demonstrated his loyalty to Essendon when he re-signed for 2017 in April.
		CALE HOOKER ESSENDON	Re-signed	There was no shortage of suitors for the West Australian. Fremantle led the way with a lucrative long-term offer, while it's believed North Melbourne, Melbourne, Hawthorn, Collingwood and Richmond signalled their interest in the All Australian defender to varying degrees. The Bombers also had to consider whether they were better off letting Hooker go so they could net a first-round compensation pick. Essendon had consistently said it wanted to retain Hooker and made good on its word in late April, re-signing him on a five-year deal worth about $750,000 a season.
		DAVID MYERS ESSENDON	Re-signed	Had been linked with West Coast, but in May became the fourth of Essendon's 12 suspended players to re-sign. The new deal ties him to the club until the end of 2019.
		TAYTE PEARS ESSENDON	Unrestricted	Could opt to pursue a career in fire-fighting rather than taking up a new one-year deal with Essendon.
		BRENT STANTON ESSENDON	Re-signed	The 30-year-old became the seventh banned Bomber to commit to the club, signing a one-year deal in August.

	ZAC CLARKE FREMANTLE	Unrestricted	The Victorian is firmly on the radar of a number of Melbourne-based clubs looking to bolster their ruck divisions. He re-signed with Fremantle for one season at the end of last year, in an indication he wanted to ensure he was well placed in the Dockers' ruck pecking order before re-committing long-term. Freo's decision to re-sign Aaron Sandilands for 2017 and the fact Jonathon Griffin is also contracted for next season could prompt Clarke to seek a fresh start elsewhere, but he would only move if he thought another club could offer him more opportunities in the ruck.
		MATT DE BOER FREMANTLE	Unrestricted	Played just two games in the first half of 2016 as Fremantle looked to blood its youngsters. The 26-year-old's future with the Dockers probably won't be decided until the end of the season, but his outstanding WAFL form has not gone unnoticed by rival clubs.
		CHRIS MAYNE FREMANTLE	Unrestricted	The hard-working forward's future at Fremantle remains clouded, but in recent weeks the odds of him staying with the Dockers have shortened. Rival clubs widely suspected Mayne would be at a new home in 2017, with a number of clubs in Melbourne believed to be interested. However, it's understood the 27-year-old has recently moved to open talks with Fremantle about a new contract.
		CLANCEE PEARCE FREMANTLE	Unrestricted	The 25-year-old midfielder is being closely monitored by teams on the eastern seaboard, although any free agency offers are likely to be made late in the piece. Pearce's standing at Freo won't be clear until later in the season when the Dockers can properly assess both his form and where their list is at.
		AARON SANDILANDS FREMANTLE	Re-signed	The four-time All Australian signed a one-year contract extension in May, ensuring he will extend his stellar career at Fremantle into a 15th season. Turns 34 in December.
		JIMMY BARTEL GEELONG	Unrestricted	As a 2015 free agent, the 2007 Brownlow medallist delayed a decision on his future until the end of last season. We expect he'll do the same this year.
		COREY ENRIGHT GEELONG	Unrestricted	The five-time All Australian remains in such strong form, he could easily play on next year at 35 – with the Cats, of course. The star defender won't make any decision until the end of the season.
		TOM LONERGAN GEELONG	Unrestricted	Turns 32 in May and will either continue with the Cats in 2017 or retire.
		LUKE HODGE HAWTHORN	Unrestricted	Some commentators have questioned whether the Hawks captain will be ushered into retirement at the end of this season as Hawthorn tries to stagger the exits of its star veterans. Hodge has had his injury problems this season, but they have been caused by collisions and not age-related soft-tissue issues. The two-time Norm Smith medallist will still be 32 when the 2017 season opens and we're not prepared to write him off just yet.
		SAM MITCHELL HAWTHORN	Re-signed	The three-time All Australian began the season in outstanding form, and it was no surprise when he inked another one-year contract extension in July.
		BRENDAN WHITECROSS HAWTHORN	Unrestricted	Attracted interest from the Brisbane Lions in last year's NAB AFL Trade Period before re-signing with the Hawks for 2016, but has not played a senior game this year despite strong VFL form. The 25-year-old would almost certainly move if he attracts opposition offers at the end of this season.
		JACK GRIMES MELBOURNE	Restricted	After managing just 12 games last season, the former co-captain has been completely out of favour this year despite solid VFL form. The 27-year-old does not appear to be part of the Demons' future plans and probably needs to finish the season strongly for a rival club to offer him a second chance.
		NEVILLE JETTA MELBOURNE	Re-signed	The small defender re-signed with the Dees at the start of July, despite opposition interest. He is now committed to Melbourne until the end of the 2018 season.
		JAKE SPENCER MELBOURNE	Re-signed	Re-signed with the Demons in May for 2017. Although Max Gawn is well entrenched as Melbourne's No.1 ruckman, Spencer, 27, is a handy back-up whose his competitiveness is highly rated at the club.
		JACK WATTS MELBOURNE	Re-signed	The 25-year-old is enjoying a career-best season and signed a new three-year deal in July.
		MICHAEL FIRRITO NORTH MELBOURNE	Unrestricted	Turns 33 in November but remains a key part of North's back six. His ability to play on bigger and taller opponents has been valuable this season as the Roos have opted to play a smaller backline without Lachie Hansen. Firrito's form suggests he could play on in 2017, but North has informed him he is not required next season.
		BRENT HARVEY NORTH MELBOURNE	Unrestricted	has been informed by the club that he is to be delisted at the end of season along with 3 other veterans over 30
		DREW PETRIE NORTH MELBOURNE	Unrestricted	The veteran spearhead's scoreboard output has been down this year but he remains a pivotal part of North's forward line structure with his defensive pressure and ability to bring the ball to ground. Along with Harvey, Firrito and Dal Santo will be delisted at end of 2016 finals campaign.
		LINDSAY THOMAS NORTH MELBOURNE	Re-signed	The 28-year-old has been consistently near the top of North's goalkicking table in recent seasons, and agreed a new two-year deal in July.
		DANIEL WELLS NORTH MELBOURNE	Unrestricted	North generally offers players over 30 one-year contracts, but Wells is understood to want a two-year deal. The 31-year-old has helped his cause with an outstanding start to 2016 that has underlined how valuable he remains to North at his best. Save for a minor hiccup with his troublesome Achilles tendon, his body has remained sound too. If his good health continues in the second half of the season, he could get his extra year.
		PAUL STEWART PORT ADELAIDE	Unrestricted	The journeyman utility has been a great servant for Port but his AFL career will likely wind up at the end of this year.
		TY VICKERY RICHMOND	Restricted	Vickery's ability to rotate between attack and the ruck makes him attractive to opposition clubs, especially after his solid first half of the season. The 26-year-old's preference is to stay at Punt Road but his discussions with Richmond have been progressing slowly.
		SEAN DEMPSTER ST KILDA	Unrestricted	Remains a key player for St Kilda in defence at 32, so a good chance to continue at Seaford in 2017.
		SAM FISHER ST KILDA	Unrestricted	The 33-year-old seemed likely to retire at the end of the season, given the Saints' defence will be bolstered by Jake Carlisle's return from a WADA suspension in 2017. But Hugh Goddard's serious Achilles tendon injury could mean the Saints ask him to go round again next season.
		LEIGH MONTAGNA ST KILDA	Re-signed	Dual All Australian Montagna was delighted to have earned a one-year contract extension. The deal ties the 32-year-old to the Saints until the end of 2017.
		NICK RIEWOLDT ST KILDA	Re-signed	The club legend has averaged more than 20 possessions playing higher up the ground this season. In June he signed a new one-year deal to extend his career into a 17th season in 2017.
		KIEREN JACK SYDNEY SWANS	Re-signed	The Swans co-captain inked a new three-year deal in April, joining fellow mids Luke Parker, Dan Hannebery and Harry Cunningham in choosing to extend their careers in Sydney.
		TED RICHARDS SYDNEY SWANS	Unrestricted	The 33-year-old key defender seems likely to retire at the end of this season, with the severe concussion he suffered against Hawthorn in round nine set to be a factor in his decision.
		MITCH BROWN WEST COAST	Unrestricted	The injury-prone defender resumed in the WAFL in round 11 after being sidelined by a finger injury suffered in West Coast's round one win over the Brisbane Lions. Faces a challenge to re-establish himself in the Eagles' backline given their tall options include Jeremy McGovern, Will Schofield and Eric Mackenzie. The 27-year-old Victorian will be in the sights of opposition clubs looking to add height in defence.
		SAM BUTLER WEST COAST	Unrestricted	The sole survivor of the 2006 premiership team remains an integral part of West Coast's defence with his composure and solid ball use. As in recent years, his future will be decided late in the season.
		PATRICK MCGINNITY WEST COAST	Unrestricted	As a 2015 free agent, he re-signed for one year after last year's NAB AFL Trade Period. His future is again likely to be decided late in the year.
		WILL SCHOFIELD WEST COAST	Re-signed	Signed a new three-year deal with the Eagles in March.
		MATTHEW BOYD WESTERN BULLDOGS	Unrestricted	The 33-year-old has played on a year-by-year basis for several seasons now. Whether he plays on with the Bulldogs or retires will be decided near the end of the season.
		WILL MINSON WESTERN BULLDOGS	Unrestricted	Not part of the Bulldogs' future plans, but clubs lacking ruck depth could offer the 31-year-old a fresh start as a support ruckman.
		DALE MORRIS WESTERN BULLDOGS	Re-signed	The 33-year-old inked a one-year deal in August.
		ROBERT MURPHY WESTERN BULLDOGS	Re-signed	The Bulldogs captain considered retirement after rupturing his left anterior cruciate ligament in round three. But the 34-year-old re-signed for 2017 in early June, saying he was excited by what the Bulldogs could achieve next season.