Biggest trade sagas set to ignite — and who your club must re-sign: AFL mega list state of play

Biggest free agency priorities: The Crows have a bunch of players that could hit the free agency market this year, with Taylor Walker and Matt Crouch the two biggest names on the list. The former looks all but certain to retire at season’s end, while Crouch has found a second wind at West Lakes after a strong 2024 season. Wayne Milera has played 39 across his last four seasons at Adelaide, but with a fully fit season this year, could attract rival interest. Reilly O’Brien is out of contract at year’s end, while Chris Burgess and Harry Schoenberg qualify as delisted free agents.

Biggest contract priorities: Should he stay fit, Wayne Milera is a player Adelaide will want to get full value out of given his absence in recent years. Both rucks in Reilly O’Brien and Kieran Strachan have uncertain futures beyond 2025, but one of, if not both look likely to stay around. He may not be a household name yet, but Hugh Bond is certainly a player Matthew Nicks and his coaching staff will be keen to lock away long-term before the back half of their season.

BRISBANE

State of play: Fresh off a flag, the Lions’ only notable loss during the off-season has been the retirement of Joe Daniher. It goes without saying that not much needs improving, otherwise, in terms of personnel, especially given the impending return of several players from injury after they missed out on a premiership in 2024.

Biggest free agency priorities: The Lions have six free agents on the table heading into the 2025 season, with Brandon Starcevich the most notable of the names. The medium-sized defender, who’s developed a reputation as one of the best lock-down backs in the league, is a restricted free agent, in a point of difference to his other five teammates. Darcy Gardiner, Ryan Lester and Dayne Zorko are all at the back-end of their careers and are a low risk of playing elsewhere beyond 2025, if they do go around again.

Biggest contract priorities: For Brisbane’s list managers this year, it’s all about preserving their forward line. Grand Final heroes Callum Ah Chee and Kai Lohmann are two of several goal kickers out-of-contract after the 2025 season, with Lincoln McCarthy and Logan Morris also uncertain on their future. There’s no indication as of yet that any of the quartet will leave Springfield, but their status is worth noting. Premiership ruckman Darcy Fort and Conor McKenna are also yet to put pen to paper.

CARLTON

State of play: The Blues have put together a strong list — which is the sixth-oldest and seventh-most experienced for 2025 — so their challenge will be making sure they have their best players fit and firing at the pointy end of the season. They targeted ex-Giant Nick Haynes to bolster their defensive stocks, while draftee Jagga Smith is ready to make an immediate impact. The Blues had 10 players move on over the off-season, so it’s time for some youngsters to step up.

Biggest free agency priorities: The contract status of ruck Tom De Koning is set to be one of the biggest storylines throughout the AFL season. ‘TDK’ has ascended to Carlton’s No.1 ruck role — and he has plenty of admirers around the league. De Koning rejected interest from Sydney, St Kilda and Geelong back in 2023 and he’s only improved since then, becoming one of the most effective big men going around. Fan favourites Sam Docherty and Jack Silvagni are both set to become free agents as well. It’ll be interesting to see whether a move to defence will help rejuvenate Silvagni’s career after missing all of 2024 with a knee injury.

Biggest contract priorities: Getting defender Mitch McGovern to sign on will be crucial for Carlton’s list management team, likewise Nic Newman, who will miss the 2025 season due to injury. Both are walk-up starts in the best 23 and are key moving forward. Small forward Jesse Motlop is another who is coming out of contract and might attract opposition attention. Jaxon Binns, Brodie Kemp and Cooper Lord will be other names hunting new deals.

COLLINGWOOD

State of play: The Pies late last season made it clear they believe their premiership window is still wide open. They first recommitted to all four of their then off-contract veterans for 2025 — Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom, Jeremy Howe and Will Hoskin-Elliott — before acquiring free agents Harry Perryman and Tim Membrey and parting with an early 2025 draft pick to help them secure dual All-Australian star Dan Houston via trade. Therefore, the Magpies are the definition of ‘all-in’, entering this season with the oldest and most experienced list in the competition. It means they’re well positioned to challenge for the flag this year, but with so many eyes and high expectations on them, they wouldn’t want to replicate their 2024 win-loss ratio.

Biggest free agency priorities: They must find a balance with exiting their veterans. Considering the aforementioned quartet were all offered contracts for 2025, ideally, they don’t all depart at the end of this year — otherwise it could throw their list balance out significantly. Of the players eligible for free agency at season’s end, gun defender Brayden Maynard would be their top priority. While it’s unlikely the All-Australian would leave, the Pies would love to secure the signature of Maynard, 28, early in the year. Key forward Brody Mihocek, too, remains unsigned beyond this season.

Biggest contract priorities: The big one is Norm Smith Medallist Bobby Hill, despite being contracted until the end of 2026. Hill has reportedly parked contract talks after negotiations began last year, with the aim for him to hopefully complete a third consecutive full season before a new deal. Perhaps their biggest move could be targeting a player like Suns star Matt Rowell, who’s off-contract at season’s end and attracting significant offers from several clubs. The Pies have already been linked to Rowell, but so too have the Cats.

ESSENDON

State of play: The Bombers, who didn’t make any big trade splashes during the most recent trade period, are in a decent position with regards to players coming out of contract this year. Exciting draftee Isaac Kako arrives to commence the post-Jake Stringer era at Essendon, joining Nate Caddy to form an electric Bombers forward brigade for years to come. Elder statesmen Dyson Heppell, Jake Kelly and Nick Hind are no longer at the club while seven arrived via the drafts, shifting the age demographic at The Hangar from the seventh-youngest list last year to fourth-youngest this year.

Biggest free agency priorities: Bullocking ruckman Sam Draper, who was courted by St Kilda before he’d even played an AFL game, is the club’s obvious retention priority, with the South Adelaide product almost certain to attract interest from his home state. The improving Nick Bryan and veteran Todd Goldstein make up Essendon’s main ruck options and potential contingency plan if Draper was to leave. The 26-year-old has managed just 30 matches over the past two seasons as he has struggled with a range of injury troubles. A watch will also be on key defender Jayden Laverde, whose name was in trade rumours last October but will go around again at Essendon for ar least one more season. New recruit Jaxon Prior is also a free agent, having previously been delisted, with the Dons taking a punt on the fringe ex-Lions hybrid as an SSP addition.

Biggest contract priorities: A host of Bombers enter this season with non-free-agent status as out-of-contract players. Midfielder Ben Hobbs remains in a battle for a regular senior spot and could explore his options should that struggle continue, while speedy left-footer Dylan Shiel was linked with a return to GWS in the trade period and may contemplate a move his options at year’s end. Hot-and-cold forward Harrison Jones is at an interesting point in his career and might need to fight his way to a new deal after 18 goals from 21 games in 2024. Much-improved ruckman Nick Bryan will draw rival interest should he remain unsigned late into the season. A call on oft-injured defender Zach Reid also awaits, with the Bombers desperate to see the former No.10 pick consistently on the park.

FREMANTLE

State of play: The Dockers are expected to contend for finals — possibly the top four — in 2025 with a list in great shape. They’ll enter the season with the eighth-youngest and sixth-least experienced AFL list — and, importantly, there aren’t too many holes across the field. The acquisition of premiership Tiger Shai Bolton during last year’s trade period was shrewd, as he’ll provide an already talent-stacked team with a point of difference in the forward half and game-changing traits. David King told Fox Footy’s Trading Day after the trade period: “I think this is a premiership within three years. I really do. There’s no reason why this group can’t go top four next year.”

Biggest free agency priorities: All eyes remain on star midfielder Andrew Brayshaw. Despite reports late last year he was close to a new deal, Brayshaw remains unsigned beyond this season. And if he remains unsigned, he’ll be one of the highest-profile and most in-demand free agents in the league, with links already to Victorian clubs, most notably St Kilda. Brayshaw told 7News Perth in late October he was “very happy” at the club and hopeful a new deal “gets done soon” — but now it’s January. The industry sense, still, is that Brayshaw will stay at Fremantle, but the Dockers would clearly be determined to secure his signature as soon as possible. Elsewhere, club greats Michael Walters and Nat Fyfe are now season-by-season propositions, so their futures remain unclear beyond this year.

Biggest contract priorities: The main intrigue will be around top-10 pick Neil Erasmus, whose current deal expires at season’s end. The on-baller was named best on ground in Peel Thunder’s WAFL premiership last year but overall has struggled to cement his spot in the Fremantle AFL team, playing just 23 games in three seasons. Erasmus has opted to stay with the Dockers and fight for a best-23 spot and a new contract. But all eyes will be on whether the Dockers will be able to lure a big fish from ‘over east’ to the west, with strong links to Swans superstar Chad Warner and premiership Demon Kysaiah Pickett. Warner’s recent purchase of an Applecross property raised eyebrows, while Pickett has reportedly texted mates who play at Fremantle and told them he’ll join them next year. A huge ‘watch this space’.

GEELONG

State of play: Again, you can’t rule them out of a premiership tilt. The Cats acquired Bailey Smith in one of the most high-profile moves of the off-season, adding more speed to a pacy midfield group already containing Max Holmes and Tanner Bruhn, as well as hard nuts Tom Atkins and Cam Guthrie. Injury-hindered forward Jack Martin also prepares for his maiden season in Geelong, slotting into an attacking unit boasting Jeremy Cameron and Shannon Neale, who has been dubbed by many the club’s long-term replacement for retired stalwart Tom Hawkins.

Biggest free agency priorities: Invaluable utility Mark Blicavs headlines the list, alongside hard midfielder Tom Atkins. Blicavs is one of the most versatile players in the competition and is often coach Chris Scott’s go-to guy when he needs to patch a hole, no matter where on the ground that might be. Atkins has become an important member of Geelong’s on-ball unit and is a well-liked teammate at the club. Technically star forward Jeremy Cameron also qualifies given he arrived at the Cats as a free agent, too. While these three are eligible for free agency, it is near impossible to envision any actually departing.

Biggest contract priorities: Key-position pillar Sam De Koning will be the name to watch throughout the year, while fellow forwards ShannonNeale, Ollie Henry and Rising Star Ollie Dempsey are currently on expiring deals, with the Cats surely desperate to retain all. Geelong also has high hopes for developing big man Toby Conway, but the six-gamer — who’s been plagued by injuries in recent seasons — enters a prove-it year as he is without a deal for 2026 and beyond. Classy 33-year-old Mitch Duncan is also without a deal, and there is more of a question mark over him than the younger names currently without deals for next year.

GOLD COAST SUNS

State of play: It feels like we say the same thing every year, but surely this is the year the Suns push towards September action? Gold Coast targeted two dashing half-backs during the trade period in John Noble and Daniel Rioli who will have an immediate impact, while draftee Leo Lombard is the latest graduate of the Suns’ Academy. With the ninth-oldest and ninth-most experienced list, the time is now for the Suns, who have been loitering in footballing mediocrity for far too long.

Biggest free agency priorities: The Suns have six players set to become free agents at the end of the season, all of whom are veterans in the twilight of their careers. David Swallow has been a loyal servant of the club for a long time, while Brayden Fiorini, Sean Lemmens, Nick Holman and Alex Sexton have also been key figures but are gradually seeing less and less senior opportunities. There could be a watch on Fiorini, who was reportedly exploring his trade options last October. Defender Sam Collins technically qualifies as a free agent having been previously delisted, but he surely won’t be going anywhere.

Biggest contract priorities:Matt Rowell — then daylight. The hard-nosed on-baller is set to garner plenty of rival interest and has reportedly already met with multiple Victorian clubs over the off-season. Securing Rowell’s signature is of the upmost priority for the club, who have lost too much star talent back home to Victoria over the years. Having Rowell extend would not only benefit Damien Hardwick’s quest for finals on the field, but also signify to the rest of the playing group that one of, if not their best player, believes in Hardwick’s vision and the future of the club. Defender Connor Budarick and small forward duo Malcolm Rosas and Tom Berry are other key names the Suns would be looking to extend.

GWS GIANTS

State of play: Despite losing a quartet of established players last season to rival clubs, the Giants remain adamant that they have the list to continue to challenge for silverware. Mindful of not ruining their salary cap structure, the Giants lost Harry Perryman (Collingwood), Nick Haynes (Carlton), James Peatling (Adelaide) and Isaac Cumming (Adelaide) over the off-season, but that just creates new opportunities for some of their talented youngsters. The addition of Jake Stringer to the forward line is exciting, only making what was arguably the best forward group even more dangerous. They enter 2025 with the sixth-youngest and fifth-least experienced list in the league.

Biggest free agency priorities: Veteran Callan Ward signed a one-year deal late last year but reportedly considered retirement, as well as a move back home to Victoria. The ex-Dog will be 35 at the end of the 2025 season but has rediscovered his passion for the game since Adam Kingsley arrived. Jacob Wehr, Lachie Keeffe and Josh Fahey are also free agents after having been previously delisted.

Biggest contract priorities: The Giants remain confident of retaining young midfielder Finn Callaghan, who looks set to receive plenty of interest from clubs back in Victoria. Callaghan, who was taken at Pick 3 in the 2021 draft, is on a steady upwards trajectory and is the sort of player a club could build their midfield around. Elsewhere, tagging sensation Toby Bedford and utility Xavier O’Halloran – who had trade interest last year – remain without deals beyond the end of 2025.

HAWTHORN

State of play: The Hawks last year quickly went from a club in the doldrums in full rebuild mode, to genuine premiership contenders. ‘Hokball’ has captured the attention of footy fans across the country and after the acquisitions of two gun key defenders in Tom Barrass and Josh Battle, the sky is the limit for Sam Mitchell’s list, which is the ninth-youngest in the league. After missing out on a preliminary final by less than a kick in 2024, the expectations are higher on the Hawks this year, but their brave and brash style means they shouldn’t have too many problems living up to those expectations.

Biggest free agency priorities: Hawthorn’s biggest priority is re-signing star midfielder James Worpel, who has become an integral part of the engine room. Worpel is a tough inside midfielder who has now featured 127 times in the brown and gold. At 26 years of age, Worpel is entering his prime and is a crucial piece of Sam Mitchell’s on-ball brigade. Veteran duo Luke Breust and Jack Gunston also come out of contract at the end of the season, while dashing defender Seamus Mitchell also qualifies for free agency.

Biggest contract priorities: Breakout ruck Lloyd Meek is probably the biggest priority for the Hawks throughout this year. Meek last year usurped Ned Reeves to become the No.1 ruck at the club and has quickly become one of the competition’s best big men. Veteran Sam Frost is another whose contract is set to expire at the end of 2025 and as an ageing player in a stacked backline, his future remains up in the air. Midfielder Josh Ward will be hoping for a big 2025 season, too.

MELBOURNE

State of play: An intriguing season awaits the Demons, who had a year to forget for many reasons in 2024 but will be eyeing a quick bounce in 2025. A pair of exciting first-round draftees in Harvey Langford and Xavier Lindsay enter the fray, with both tipped to put their hands up for Round 1 debuts; likely as high-half-forwards before staking their claims as inside ball-winners. The Dees also took a chance on out-of-favour ex-Lion Harry Sharp and invested in some Max Gawn insurance in journeyman Tom Campbell. Melbourne will also be hoping for more out of 2023 recruits Tom Fullarton and Shane McAdam, who fought injury in his first year at the club.

Biggest free agency priorities: Half-forward Charlie Spargo is eligible for free agency entering an important season, having managed just one game last season as an Achilles issue cost him dearly. His teammates this pre-season have touted him a very good chance of resolidifying his senior position in 2025. He could prove an interesting contract call for the club, but if he does regain his form of 2021 and 2022 when he played 25 and 24 games respectively, Melbourne would be wise to try and retain him. Veterans Jake Melksham and Tom Campbell are also free agents.

Biggest contract priorities: At 33 years of age, shutdown defender Steven May is getting towards the back-end of his career, but he remains an integral part of the Demons’ backline and should be a high re-signing priority. Judd McVee, meanwhile, is one of Melbourne’s biggest up-and-comers. An accountable backman and crisp, composed with ball in hand, the 21-year-old should arguably be just as big a retention priority for the club. Half-forward Jack Billings also enters the season uncontracted after arriving at Melbourne before the 2024 campaign.

NORTH MELBOURNE

State of play: North Melbourne fans have endured some pretty tough times of late, but things are starting to look up. Not only is Alastair Clarkson’s young list stacked with talented youth, but they also targeted some established players at rival clubs during the trade period. Former Swans captain Luke Parker has already had a strong impact on the club’s young brigade, while former Eagles forward Jack Darling is driving the standards on the training track. Ex-Bulldog Caleb Daniel has fitted in seamlessly at half-back and still has plenty of good footy left ahead of him. The Kangaroos’ movements over the off-season signal that they’re keen on turning their on-field fortunes around sooner rather than later and believe that they have all the tools at their disposal to do so.

Biggest free agency priorities: Arguably the biggest free agency name this year is Roos midfielder Luke Davies-Uniacke. ‘LDU’ has become one of the premier midfielders in the competition and the Roos will be hoping he puts pen to paper on a new deal sooner rather than later. Whether or not he commits to the vision the Roos have sold him or looks elsewhere to chase success remains to be seen. The Roos have reportedly tabled a seven-year offer worth up to $9 million which would be the biggest deal in the club’s history. Fringe players Aidan Corr, Brynn Teakle and Toby Pink are North Melbourne’s other free agents.

Biggest contract priorities: Davies-Uniacke will be the major focus for North Melbourne’s list management because their other contract priorities are more or less role players. Midfielder Will Phillips has shown promise, while forward Eddie Ford is handy. Miller Bergman, Josh Goater and Callum Coleman-Jones have all been plagued by injuries in recent times but will be hoping to secure new deals.

PORT ADELAIDE

State of play: The ultimate success has eluded the Power for several years now, despite a list that seemingly continues to strengthen. Connor Rozee, Zak Butters and Jason Horne-Francis look set to lock down the club’s midfield for so many years to come, but as veterans like Travis Boak and Ollie Wines near the end of their career, pressure on the playing group and Ken Hinkley will only grow for every year that goes without a flag.

Biggest free agency priorities: Damaging defender Kane Farrell has become a key member of Ken Hinkley’s best side and becomes even more important now that Dan Houston has departed. After 13 years in the AFL system, All-Australian Darcy Byrne-Jones is an unrestricted free agent; perhaps with added value given his versatility between the arcs at both ends. New recruit Rory Atkins and former captain Travis Boak are a duo of veterans whose future beyond 2025 is uncertain.

Biggest contract priorities: The Power have a plethora of players out of contract heading into 2025, with who and how many players they retain to be a fascinating watch this season. Versatile defender Miles Bergman will perhaps be the biggest fish rival clubs will look to poach, with Foxfooty.com.au understanding that interest in the 23-year-old is strong early days in Victoria. Promising playmakers Jase Burgoyne, Josh Sinn and Dylan Williams will all be hoping to be re-signed, while Jed McEntee and Ryan Burton are also out-of-contract.

RICHMOND

State of play: The Tigers, who enter the season with the least expectation of any club after finishing the 2024 campaign dead-last, welcomed eight tantalising draftees into the fold to kickstart a youthful new era at Punt Road under Adem Yze. Outgoing, in turn, were a plethora of premiership players: Liam Baker, Shai Bolton, Jack Graham, Dylan Grimes, Dustin Martin, Marlion Pickett and Daniel Rioli.

Biggest free agency priorities: Just the two names on this list for the Tigers — midfielder Dion Prestia and key forward Tom Lynch. Spearhead Lynch will be the biggest retention priority for Richmond. The dual premiership goalkicker had his name floated in trade rumours last year and will again be mentioned in movement speculation this year, particularly for sides in the flag window. Hard-nosed ball-winner Prestia, depending on how his body fares, should be in the frame for another go-around.

Biggest contract priorities: With fewer higher-profile players remaining on the list, 2025 will be key in determining the futures of the club’s middling youngsters. Medium forward Jacob Bauer has flashed his athleticism and forward craft but will be hoping to consistently stay on the park. Emerging half-backers Tom Brown and Sam Banks aren’t likely going anywhere, while pressure forward Steely Green has shown enough glimpses to inspire confidence he will earn another contract. Half-forward Judson Clarke is coming off an ACL tear and should earn a reprieve, while a promising season for key backman Jacob Blight would ensure the 2024 mid-season draftee will remain beyond 2025. Important campaigns await Thomson Dow, Tyler Sonsie and Tylar Young, while this might be two-time flag-winner Kamdyn McIntosh’s final year.

ST KILDA

State of play: The Saints are well and truly focused on their youth movement at the moment to drive them up the ladder. Tobie Travaglia headlines a batch of youngsters taken in the most recent draft, while ex-Blue Jack Carroll was also added as a delisted free agent. Former Bulldogs veteran Jack Macrae will provide some more leadership after the departure of over half a dozen senior players, but Ross Lyon’s focus is on giving young guns plenty of opportunities. While every team is looking to win as many games as possible every year, it seems as though St Kilda are gearing up for a premiership push a few years down the track, rather than straight away.

Biggest free agency priorities: Hunter Clark is perhaps the biggest priority here. Clark has had an injury plagued AFL career so far, but when fit, has shown he can be a handy midfielder or defender. Defender Jimmy Webster will also become a free agent at the end of the year and will be key for the Saints this year after the departure of Josh Battle (Hawthorn) and injury to Dougal Howard (shoulder). Zaine Cordy and Liam Stocker are other names who qualify as free agents.

Biggest contract priorities: The Saints will be looking to re-sign a trio of exciting youngsters in Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Mitchito Owens and Marcus Windhager. These three are widely regarded as key drivers for the Saints as they look to return to finals action. The likes of Zak Jones, Dougal Howard and Ryan Byrnes are also coming out of contract, as are some fresher faces like Arie Schoenmaker, Hugo Garcia and Angus Hastie.

SYDNEY

State of play: So close, yet so far from the ultimate success are Sydney. Undoubtedly the best team all year in 2024, the Swans fell short on the final Saturday in September to leave them heartbroken for the second time in three years after a Grand Final. Dean Cox now steers the ship for the red and the white, but after a very quiet trade period this off-season, it looks as if they are set to back in their current list once again to go all the way.

Biggest free agency priorities: On a free agency front, things look to be relatively quiet in 2025. Retaining their experienced defenders and hopefully have them play on into 2026 looks to be the focus, with quartet Jake Lloyd, Dane Rampe, Robbie Fox and Lewis Melican unsigned beyond this year.

Biggest contract priorities: It will surprise no one that Chad Warner is by far the Swans’ biggest contract priority this winter, as speculation grows over a potential move back to his home state of Western Australia. Speculation that the star midfielder could move to one of Fremantle or West Coast began midway through 2024, well before Sydney’s heartbreaking Grand Final loss to Brisbane. Beyond Warner, where the likes of Sam Wicks and Angus Sheldrick land under Dean Cox beyond 2025 could be dictated on their senior output this season. Caleb Mitchell is highly touted internally at Swanland and is at this stage deserving of another contract extension.

WEST COAST EAGLES

State of play: New coach Andrew McQualter inherits a team who have struggled in recent years, but things are starting to look up for the Eagles. They managed to lure former Richmond duo Liam Baker and Jack Graham to the club, while also adding ex-Blue Matthew Owies via trade. However, it was at the draft where the Eagles were big winners, securing plenty of talented youngsters including Bo Allan and Jobe Shanahan. With the likes of Harley Reid, Reuben Ginbey and Brady Hough only going to get better, keep an eye on the Eagles in 2025.

Biggest free agency priorities: It’s a big year for West Coast’s list management team. Key forward Oscar Allen is one of the best talls in the competition when fit and firing and is attracting interest from around the league, including reigning premiers Brisbane. The Eagles co-captain could help to fill the void left by Joe Daniher and the lure of playing at a successful cub competing for a premiership will surely pique his interest to some degree. Veteran defender Jeremy McGovern is also set to become a free agent, as are a quartet of role players in Jack Petruccelle, Dom Sheed, Tom Cole and Jamie Cripps. Allen and McGovern are undoubtedly the two biggest priorities here for the Eagles.

Biggest contract priorities: What McQualter does with this list moving forward is intriguing. Midfielder Tim Kelly is one name set to come out of contract, while former Hawk Tyler Brockman also doesn’t have a deal beyond this year. At his best, Kelly is a slick mover through the midfield, while Brockman has the ability to light up games with his aerial ability and craftiness around goal. Campbell Chesser and Jack Hutchinson are others also seeking new deals for next year.

WESTERN BULLDOGS

State of play: 2025 looms as a gigantic year for the Western Bulldogs. They’ve got a list with plenty of firepower at the top end, but they haven’t been able to play good enough footy for long enough to push deep into September. The Bulldogs haven’t had an ideal off-season, with star duo Adam Treloar and Liam Jones suffering injuries at the wrong time and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan’s continued absence due to personal reasons creating uncertainty as well. Coach Luke Beveridge is entering the final year of his contract which adds another point of intrigue to their season. With so many key players set to miss early on, can some of the Bulldogs younger players step up to the plate? Draftee Sam Davidson is pushing hard for a round one debut, youngster Ryley Sanders looks set to take his game to another level and new recruit Matthew Kennedy will be important through the midfield.

Biggest free agency priorities: Captain Marcus Bontempelli’s contract runs out at the end of this season, and he is most definitely priority number one. Bontempelli is arguably the greatest Bulldog of all-time and while nothing says he would want to leave, the sooner they secure his signature the better. Veteran midfielder Tom Liberatore is also set to become a free agent and remains an integral part of the on-ball brigade, while emerging gun Ed Richards has proved to be a revelation as a midfielder and is also a must-sign for the Bulldogs.

Biggest contract priorities: Outside of the above trio who are three of the best players in the league, veteran midfielder Adam Treloar is another name the list management team need to extend. Treloar will miss the start of the season due to a calf injury but had arguably his best year ever in 2024, earning a maiden All-Australian blazer. Veteran defender Taylor Duryea, ex-Saint Nick Coffield and small forward Laitham Vandermeer are others who are set to come out of contract.