With finals about to kick off, there is another annual tradition that is starting to gain some traction.
The AFL’s yearly “silly season” is upon us, and already we’ve seen a couple of players dictate terms in regard to where they’ll be playing in 2025.
With that in mind, it is a good idea to sit back, have a look at the current landscape and see what players who are out of contract and looking for a new home might be considering. Or perhaps, what they should be considering.
It’s not an exhaustive list, but I chose these names because they have interest to me. So yes… highly subjective.
Key
OOC = Out of Contract (teams must trade for this player)
RFA = Restricted Free Agent (current team can match any contract made by an opposing club, and retain the services of the player… but they never do)
UFA = Unrestricted Free Agent (player can pick and choose where he wants to go)
CONTRACTED = Come on… you have to know what that means, right?
LACHIE MURPHY – UFA
A pressure forward who cannot secure a spot in the Crows’ tight forward half, Murphy should be looking elsewhere.
I look at a few teams that struggle for legitimate small forwards at the moment – he doesn’t have to look far to see Port don’t really have many that fit the bill. Carlton don’t have much on offer, either. It used to be a role every team seemed to have players who could slot in. Now, they’re a bit more uncommon.
At 26, he has good footy in him, and at 1.4 tackles inside 50 per game in 2025, he is in the top twenty in the league. Worth consideration.
BRANDON STARCEVICH – RFA
Reportedly looking at two options.
They are to stay at Brisbane, or to head to West Coast.
Starc has his flag. He may end up with two after this season, and at 26 years of age, this will likely be his last chance to land a big deal. He’ll be wanting security, as well, given his issues with concussion.
If I were West Coast, I would be very wary of this deal. Starcevich has already spent time on the sidelines with an elongated concussion recovery. Do you want to risk that happening at your club, and having a bloke on a long-term deal while he struggles to get on the park?
I know it’s callous – I’ll wear that. However, if I was a West Coast supporter, I would be against this move.
DEV ROBERTSON – OOC
Regretting his decision to re-sign with the Lions a couple of years back. In 2023, he felt there was unfinished business at the club, so he stayed, signing a two-year deal.
The Lions finished that business in 2024, but he wasn’t a part of it. He has barely been a part of it this year, either. He has played in just six games since then, and in five of them, he was used as a the sub.
He’ll head back to West Coast, where he will likely find ample game time in the middle, working with Harley Reid. As it stands, I reckon the Eagles get him for a third-round pick.
CALLUM AH CHEE – OOC
Might end up being a victim of the premiership squeeze at Brisbane, inasmuch as so many premiership heroes deserve to be paid as such, but the club cannot afford all of them.
He is 27, and a WA boy… would be a fantastic addition to either of he Eagles or Freo, given the intensity he brings to the contest.
JACK SILVAGNI – UFA
Out the door at Carlton, the Silvagni name is now no-longer exclusively associated with the navy blue. Kind of sad…
Silvagni has been linked with Collingwood, but the Western Bulldogs have also been floated as an option. I worry about his role at the Dogs, as I believe he’ll be forced to “play big” if he is part of their list. Their defence sucks, and I am not sure he is the answer to what ails them.
TOM DE KONING – RFA
Off to St Kilda, as the boys from Moorabbin throw some cash around.
All of a sudden, a two-headed ruck division featuring TDK and Rowan Marshall looks very formidable, doesn’t it?
Unless of course…
ROWAN MARSHALL – CONTRACTED
You know, if I was working somewhere and the organisation brought someone in to do the exact same job I was doing, but there was really only enough work for one… I’d be a bit nervous. I might start looking for somewhere else to work.
You think that thought may have crossed the mind of Rowan Marshall?
He is a former Geelong Falcon… they have a habit of luring people back to where it began.
That said, if I were Brad Scott, I would be on the phone immediately, seeing what it would take to get him to the Bombers.
Watch this space…
MITCH MCGOVERN – OOC
Not played in the final game of the 2025 season, which was needed by the lesser Gov to trigger an automatic contract extension.
Graham Wright not mucking around with this one.
It will be interesting to see whether he is dangled as trade bait, and if any fish that bites is able to make good on the promise he once displayed. Mitch will be 31 by the time the next season starts. Irrespective of where he plays, he will remain the Temu McGovern.
CHARLIE CURNOW – CONTRACTED
Made noise about moving earlier in the season, and then had it shut down by the Blues. Proceeded to shut it down, himself, but the story persists.
Sydney are rumoured to be the place with the biggest interest, and he’d solve a fair whack of their forward issues. If he left Carlton, though… may as well close up shop at Ikon Park.
MASON COX – UFA
Can’t get a game at the Pies, and at 34, this might be it for him.
That said, he is not going to get any smaller, and a team lacking a relief ruck (hello Essendon) might throw him a bone as their players work back to health.
Might be worth a punt for a year, but nothing more.
BRODY MIHOCEK – UFA
Wants a multi-year deal, but the Pies are apparently more interested in a short-term agreement.
Could Brody get some decent coin for a couple of years elsewhere? He is 32, but has failed to hit 20 games just once in the past five years. I am a fan, and love the way he applies himself on the field, therefore I feel a little biased. I want him to do well, but I am not sure many teams will gamble on him for a couple of seasons?
Could the Suns do with a bigger body to work alongside Ben King and the kids coming through? How about the Tigers as Tom Lynch comes to the end? Or maybe even Port to take some heat off their less than physical backups to Mitch Georgiades?
If I were him, I’d be having a chat with the Dees, personally.
BEN HOBBS – OOC
Out of contract at this stage of the season is not a great sign. Haven’t heard much around about his intentions, which is probably a good thing for the Bombers, but once the season is concluded, we may start to get a clearer picture of where things sit.
Has played 18 games this year, but has attended just nine percent of the centre bounces in games he’s played. That’s his preferred position, and he is not getting a look in at Essendon.
ELIJAH TSATAS – CONTRACTED
Bomber fans had been screaming for him to be included in a team that had the longest injury list since the inception of injuries, but then, Elijah went and injured his hamstring, too.
Has managed five games in a team that has won just six games. Could he be better utilised elsewhere?
Sure to attract some attention as trade period draws near.
DYLAN SHIEL – OOC
Racked up big numbers in his final games for the club, but his tenure at Essendon was probably best surmised in one play against the Blues, as he ran into an open goal and completely sprayed it.
Either that, or his bumbling attempt to trap the footy and handball it against the Suns.
Unlikely to be offered another deal, and will hold out hope a team picks him up cheaply somewhere along the line.
I can’t see it happening.
JAYDEN LAVERDE – UFA
If there is one thing Essendon can ill-afford, it is a big defender walking out of the club.
However, as an unrestricted free agent, the 29-year-old has the chance to do just that and land somewhere needing a big body in defence. Could the Dogs be a good landing spot for him? If not, I hear St Kilda are throwing money around.
Maybe the Bombers are second-guessing not extending him? Maybe not.
SAM DRAPER – UFA
The Bombers desperately need him to re-sign, but even as he comes off an Achilles injury, the big fella is in demand, elsewhere.
Reports are that Brisbane and Adelaide both have strong interest… and the rich get richer, huh?
Looking at Essendon, their ruck situation seems a couple of years off being able to afford losing Draper. Vigo Visentini showed a bit, whilst Nick Bryan was coming along nicely before his injury, as well. If Draper decides to leave, the Bombers are in quite a pickle.
Maybe Goldy can stick it out until Bryan/Visentini can shoulder the load in the back half of the year?
WILL SETTERFIELD – UFA
A very capable midfielder, who can lock down on an opposition gun, particularly those bigger and stronger mids.
He would be a loss for the Bombers, but not a huge one, as Jye Caldwell can play that role well, too. His absence may also free up time for players like the two mentioned above – Tsatas and Hobbs – to gain more midfield time.
BRAYDEN FIORINI – UFA
Has stuck it out with the Suns through some damn tough times, and is now reaping the benefits. Given that, it would make a lot of sense to hang around, right?
Particularly if the rumours that Sam Flanders is being courted by other teams are true.
Has played 14 games this season, averaging over 21 touches, but it is the last part of his year that will draw attention. In the last five games, he has upped the ante to average 24.2 touches from the wing.
At 28, this is likely his final chance at getting some decent coin. Will the Suns offer him enough to keep him interested?
SAM FLANDERS – CONTRACTED
Another linked to the Saints… did they steal their sister’s piggy bank?
If he did choose to depart and head to Moorabbin, this would be close to the pick up of the year. He adds class with the footy, but it is what he allows Ross Lyon to do across half-back that intrigues me. Flanders can play that role, or switch to on-ball, and having both him and Jack Sinclair tagging as defenders who switch into the guts, it gives the Saints plenty of firepower from good ball users.
The Saints will have to pay – Flanders has two years to run after this season, so if he is looking at moving, St Kilda may have to pay slightly overs to get their mitts on him.
Stupid sexy Flanders…
LEEK ALEER – OOC
Another one off to the Saints, although they’ll have to fork over something in return.
I’ve long thought GWS keeps the ones they really want to keep. Possibly aside from Jezza Cameron, that is. That said, I think Aleer will go with their blessing. He is the third big defender in a team that requires two (Buckley and Taylor), with Himmelberg taking the third when needed.
The Saints are a good landing spot for him, as Dougal Howard has been unable to stay on the park, and Anthony Caminiti is fighting out of his weight division in defence. He’s still doing a good job, but he needs help.
JAMES WORPEL – RFA
Off to Geelong. I actually predicted this two years ago, and someone had a crack at me about it. Fair enough…
And yet, here we are. I went off a bit early… it happens to the best of us. Worpel has been a great servant for the Hawks, and will be a great get for the Cats, as they continually replenish their list. A great in-and-under addition to balance the midfield alongside Atkins, Smith, and Holmes.
CAM MACKENZIE – CONTRACTED
Sam Mitchell laughed off the chances of Mackenzie departing Hawthorn, but with the Saints showing plenty of interest, maybe a pivot is something the young fella would entertain, given he has not secured a permanent role in the Hawks’ midfield?
Very much a “watch this space” situation with him.
JUDD MCVEE – OOC
This one surprised me. I’d be very keen to lock this guy away as soon as possible if I were the Dees, as when he has been fully fit, he has looked like an elite defender in the making.
The only thing I can think of is boobs… errr, I mean that the Dees may believe they have too many young blokes to fit into their defence?
Rivers, Bowey, Howes, Windsor, Culley, Moniz-Wakefield… they’re a little spoilt for choice.
I’d snap this bloke up in a heartbeat, but given the lack of chatter about him, maybe the contract is just taking time to sort out at Melbourne.
CHRISTIAN PETRACCA – CONTRACTED
Have the wounds of 2024 healed completely, or is there still some resentment simmering away?
Trac wears his heart on his sleeve, and that tends to cause people to jump to conclusions. I will be very interested to see how he conducts himself, and importantly, how his management conduct themselves over the next month, or so.
CLAYTON OLIVER – CONTRACTED
The player Oliver was, could have landed the Dees two first round picks.
The player he is, would be lucky to land them a second-rounder. That’s the sad truth. He also comes with a massive salary that the Dees will have to continue paying a portion of to move him. They’d be better off keeping him.
BRYNN TEAKLE – UFA
Delisted by North, which was a little surprising, given their lack of back up to Tristan Xerri. Maybe North saw enough when Teakle was filling in for him this season, and Brodie Grundy had 62 hit outs and 11 clearances?
Anyway, big men tend to find their way into another home with relative ease compared to your average player. I would not be surprised if someone picks him up as an insurance policy. Maybe the Bombers?
JEREMY FINLAYSON – OOC
Delisted by Port, as part of Josh Carr’s cull.
Look, I think Finlayson has a heap of upside, but his attitude on-field has always been horrible. He is like Steven May at the other end of the ground, only with less credibility. He is forever glaring at the teammate who missed him with a pass, or yelling at someone to do better.
And then, when he was played off half-back, he managed to do worse than them!
Anyway, he is a swingman, and if picked up, I would not mind seeing him played as a defender where he started his career – good reach, decent speed, reads the footy well. Worth a shot as a delisted free agent.
JACOB BLIGHT – OOC
An interesting one. Tiger fans are big on him, but I watched him get left out of their last game of the season and thought it might be the writing on the wall for him.
Originally from WA, I’d look for the Tigers to attempt to broker a deal with either West Coast or Freo. I like Blight – he has shown a bit, but if he isn’t in Richmond’s best 23 at this stage, I reckon he is better off elsewhere.
KAMDYN MCINTOSH – UFA
Look, I was a bit surprised he got the nod to go around again at Richmond in 2025, but I guess they needed a bigger body to take some of the heat, so he was retained.
Not so lucky after this season, and whilst it has been stated he has played his last game for the Tigers, nobody has said he has played his last game overall.
I guess it boils down to whether anyone has any interest in a cheap 31-year-old premiership wingman. A WA boy, maybe he has a couple of old teammates at West Coast who could put in a good word?
MARCUS WINDHAGER – OOC
With all the incoming talent apparently at St Kilda, Windhager’s loss would be a big one. North Melbourne has already tabled an offer for him, so it will be interesting to see what happens next.
People forget – it wasn’t only the brilliance of Wanganeen-Milera that carried the Saints home against the Dees in that epic comeback. If you get the chance, have a look at Windhager in that last quarter. I reckon it was right about then that he, and plenty of others, realised his value.
OSCAR ALLEN – RFA
Already nominated the Lions as his new home, and it will likely reward the Eagles greatly…
… which is exactly what they wanted. With the first pick locked away, the likely compensation for West Coast is pick two, meaning they will be fast-tracked in their rebuild.
If Allen can get himself fit, he is the replacement for Joe Daniher. Win-win for the Lions and Eagles.
LIAM RYAN – CONTRACTED
Guess where Liam is rumoured to end up?
Not bloody St Kilda, is it?
Oh yes… it’s the Saints.
As he is under contract, the Saints will have to deal for him, but if they manage to get this one through, he and Jack Higgins could be quite potent at the feet of a returning Max King.
LIAM JONES – UFA
I was more than a little amazed that in a defence suffering from a distinct lack of size and power, that the Dogs opted not to persist with Jones into the final weeks of the season.
Maybe the fact he is 34 factored in, but in a win-now situation, playing Jed Busslinger over him was not the right call. He’ll finish his Bulldogs career in the seconds.
Looking around the league, the Dogs still seem to be the team in most need of a player with his skill set, however, he did have time off over the Covid period, so his body may not be as banged u as others his age.
At 34, I can’t see too many teams being tempted, unless they genuinely believe a strengthened defence for 12 months will put them over the top. Back to Carlton??? Maybe join Dad’s Army at Collingwood?
I think he might be done.
JAMARRA UGLE-HAGAN – CONTRACTED
Can’t see him staying at the Dogs, and only a team with the utmost confidence in their system will take him on.
Bloody Geelong…
Maybe the Swans?
The Dogs will get bugger all out of it, which is kind of funny, as they paid bugger all to get him at pick one.
And that’ll do me.
Really seems like the Saints have their fingers in more pies than they’ve actually got fingers!
TDK, Flanders, Aleer, Liam Ryan, Mackenzie, a question mark over Jack Silvagni, as well as decisions from Marshall and Windhager to be made… okay, that’s only eight fingers. Still, a lot of fingers to have in pies.
I wish I had some pie…
As always, massive thanks to those who support this work. You can see the amount of care that goes into it. I love footy, I love writing about it, and I hope you enjoy reading it. Without you, this whole thing falls over. Sincerely… thank you – HB
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