2019 Free Agents

[bulldogtragic]

It seems clubs for the most part have managed free agency well. A large portion are around, at or over 30 years old. I doubt many of that senior brigade would leave their clubs either. There's not many players who would make an immediate impact, if we were to chase them. Namely: Congilio, Tomlinson, Sam Day, Alex Sexton. Not sure they're gettable.

Ours are Libba (again), Roberts, Dickson, Picken & Morris.

We might have a quite year incoming and outgoing.

[divvydan]

Cogs would be near impossible to get given GWS allowed Shiel to go last year and even if he wanted out, I'd imagine he'd want to go back to WA. Tomlinson is the most interesting to me. He's not a star by any means but he's an important part of their team and under the radar enough that he might be gettable.

[bornadog]

2019 Restricted Free Agents

Stephen Coniglio (GWS Giants)
Brandon Ellis (Richmond)
Jack Newnes (St Kilda)

2019 Unrestricted Free Agents

ADELAIDE
Sam Jacobs, Richard Douglas, David Mackay, Andy Otten, Cameron Ellis-Yolmen

BRISBANE LIONS
Ryan Lester

CARLTON
Matthew Kreuzer, Ed Curnow, Levi Casboult, Kade Simpson

COLLINGWOOD
Ben Reid, Jamie Elliott, Tyson Goldsack

ESSENDON
Mark Baguley, David Myers

FREMANTLE
Stephen Hill, David Mundy, Aaron Sandilands, Hayden Ballantyne

GEELONG CATS
Harry Taylor, Jed Bews

GOLD COAST SUNS
Sam Day, Tom Nicholls, Alex Sexton, Michael Rischitelli

GWS GIANTS
Adam Tomlinson, Matthew Buntine

HAWTHORN
Grant Birchall, Shaun Burgoyne, Paul Puopolo, Ryan Schoenmakers, Ben Stratton

MELBOURNE
Nathan Jones

NORTH MELBOURNE
Todd Goldstein, Majak Daw, Scott Thompson, Sam Wright

PORT ADELAIDE
Matthew Broadbent, Justin Westhoff

RICHMOND
Shane Edwards, David Astbury, Bachar Houli, Shaun Grigg

ST KILDA
David Armitage, Jarryn Geary

SYDNEY SWANS
Harry Cunningham, Heath Grundy, Jarrad McVeigh, Nick Smith

WEST COAST EAGLES
Nic Naitanui, Chris Masten, Will Schofield, Fraser McInnes

WESTERN BULLDOGS
Tory Dickson, Tom Liberatore, Dale Morris, Liam Picken, Fletcher Roberts

[Hotdog60]

Maybe Fletch needs to explore his options. If Liam doesn't get on the park this year may pull the pin.
Tory will need to get back his kicking skills or he may pull the pin or try elsewhere.
Tom should get an extension if round one is anything to go by.

[The Doctor]

Alex Sexton has some appeal to me

[ledge]

Is Tom Boyd’s wage dropping as his contract gets shorter ? If so it’s opening up a chance to pick a good one up next year.

[Happy Days]

Alex Sexton has some appeal to me

+1. He's an incredibly dangerous player around goal and would be all the more dangerous on any team that isn't the Gold Coast

[Doc26]

Coniglio obviously.

Tomlinson or Astbury would fill a need.

Agree with Sexton.

[bornadog]

We need to stitch up Libba about half way through the season if all is going well on and off the field.

[Mofra]

Alex Sexton has some appeal to me
Ditto, genuine goal sense, and Dicko's on his last legs.

[dadsgirl16]

Coniglio? Yes please

[ratsmac]

Cog's in a heartbeat. Astbury is a quality defender that would slip into Morris' vacancy nicely.

I'd be disappointed if we don't have a crack at Kelly (GWS) or Coniglio.

[The Doctor]

Here are the pre agents!

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/forget-free-agents-who-are-the-key-pre-agents-of-2019-20190326-p517m8.html

[Happy Days]

Here are the pre agents!

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/forget-free-agents-who-are-the-key-pre-agents-of-2019-20190326-p517m8.html

"Pre-agency - the term popularised by American sportswriter Bill Simmons"

Yeah it's a no from me.

[Axe Man]

Free agency list for 2019 to lengthen as AFL amends classification (https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/free-agency-list-for-2019-to-lengthen-as-afl-amends-classification-20190328-p518mu.html)

At least 46 players not on the official AFL free agency list released to the public on Monday are eligible to change clubs as free agents at the end of this season.

The clubs were sent a list this week that included the 46 delisted free agents who are now eligible as free agents under new rules adopted for 2019 that see a player remain a free agent for life once their free agency status is activated.

Although the delisted players are not stars of the competition players such as the Brisbane Lions' Mitch Robinson, Hawthorn's Ricky Henderson and Greater Western Sydney's Lachie Keeffe are on the updated list of free agents sent to clubs.

They are free agents under new rules adopted for this season meaning a player previously delisted by any club (a delisted free agent) will be a delisted free agent at the end of each subsequent contract.

Fremantle's Joel Hamling would have been a free agent under the new rules but he recently extended his time at the Dockers by four years when he signed a new contract while Geelong's Sam Menegola is likely to be a free agent when he comes out of contract at the end of 2020.

The addition of delisted players to the list means there will now be more than 100 players who could change clubs as a free agent this season, adding another layer of activity to the player movement market.

Players delisted who are playing state league in 2019 such as former Magpie Jarryd Blair and former Crow Mitch Grigg will also be free agents at the end of the season.

The AFL is also understood to be working on sending another update to clubs that will reclassify some players initially listed as unrestricted free agents that may in fact be restricted free agents.

The clubs are aware of the delisted players who are eligible as free agents but there has been some concern about the incorrect classification of players in relation to restricted and unrestricted as they have been left to work their way through any confusion with their club and managers.

The new conditions affecting classification came into play after Adelaide's Rory Sloane's classification caused the AFL to make a ruling on when players were automatically listed as unrestricted.

Under new rules the condition that a player must have come out of contract after eight years to then qualify for unrestricted free agency at 10 years has been removed. All players coming out of contract after their eighth year are now unrestricted free agents.

There is also some confusion as to whether a player who has changed clubs as a free agent such as Carlton's Dale Thomas will be a free agent when they next come out of contract with varying views on whether such players will be a free agent at the end of each contract with their new club.

The AFL is expected to release an updated list to clubs with reclassification in coming days while they will also send a revised list to the public next week.

[Axe Man]

Alex Sexton has some appeal to me

Has reportedly re-signed with the Suns.

SUNS SECURE SEXTON

Gold Coast has locked away its main goal kicker in Round 1 — four-goal forward Alex Sexton.

The free agent was one of their best stories in 2018 as Steven May and Tom Lynch departed, kicking 28.19 after pushing forward into attack.

Sexton is only 25 and exactly the kind of player they have any to keep, having secured him on a multi-year contract.

The Suns believe they are making progress on extension talks with their trio of early picks in Ben King, Izak Raynor and Jack Lukosius.

[ledge]

Think that’s supposed to be Izak Rankine not Raynor.

[Axe Man]

Not a free agent but I hope we have some interest here:

Gold Coast Suns star Jack Martin to consider options after hot start to 2019 season (https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/gold-coast/gold-coast-suns-star-jack-martin-to-consider-options-after-hot-start-to-2019-season/news-story/92ad5a00e76d03c7c50aae12402acc26)

Jack Martin will put off contract talks until well into the season as Melbourne clubs prepare to launch raids to drag him out of the Gold Coast.

Martin’s hot early start to the season has an array of Victorian clubs frothing at the mouth about his intoxicating mix of outside speed, goal sense and improving contested work.

Gold Coast is far from out of the race to re-sign Martin after their 2-1 start to the season, as coach Stuart Dew runs an increasingly elite football program.

Ironically, Essendon, the only Victorian club he was prepared to go to before an aborted trade last year, would likely be out of consideration if he became available this year.

The Bombers don’t have a first-round draft pick after the Shiel trade and have salary cap commitments which would likely put them out of contention.

Martin is one of Dew’s early success stories after coasting along on his immense talent but rarely dominating games in his first five seasons.

He was challenged by Dew this year to become a dominant player, with the second-year coach using the example of Patrick Cripps playing elite football in a wooden spoon side.

Martin has averaged 22 possession as a mid-forward and increased his tackling and contested work, with his goal tally of 2.8 the only blemish on an elite season.

Last year with his partner’s family in Melbourne and Gold Coast struggling on field he was determined to get to Essendon.

They made it clear their priority was Dylan Shiel and when the GWS midfielder chose the Dons the trade fell over.

Other Victorian clubs expressed interest but he was happy to return to the Gold Coast, who welcomed him back with open arms and a mature attitude.

They had made clear they had no intention of trading him under any circumstances.

Some of his partner’s family has since moved to the Gold Coast, with

The Suns also will hope to re-sign key tall Peter Wright but have made an excellent start to their retention strategy this year.

Key leaders Jarrod Witts, David Swallow, Alex Sexton and Touk Miller have all signed long-term extensions.

Dew said this week it was a sign of the club’s direction and a show of faith for young players who might have once questioned the club’s long-term direction.

[westdog54]

Now would not be the ideal moment to abandon the Gold Coast IMO. They look like they've finally got a playing group, leadership group and coach who are all invested enough to work towards being a successful football club.

No doubt they've got some work to do to get their back of house in order but on field they look as though they're tracking well.

In saying that, if we're not making serious enquiries then we'd be kidding ourselves. Yesterday was the first time I'd seen him up close and he tore us to pieces.

[Happy Days]

Yeah I'm in for Martin. Toiling away in obscurity has actually made his form over the last couple of years undervalued (not unlike Sexton before him), which is astounding considering the hype around him coming into the competition. Would be a fantastic addition to our side and exactly what I think we need.

[Axe Man]

Top 10 out of contract under 25 year olds in the AFL (https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/more-news/jon-ralph-and-jay-clark-break-down-the-top-10-out-of-contract-under-25-year-olds-in-the-afl/news-story/cc0b6653e2ec57b12dc325c156e0631e)

They are the 10 names every club’s list managers are talking about.

But where are the top 10 out of contract under 25 year olds in the league at?

In a Moneyball column special, JON RALPH and JAY CLARK break down who could be staying and who could be going at the end of 2019.

TOP 10 OUT OF CONTRACT PLAYERS UNDER 25

JACK MARTIN (GOLD COAST)

Strong chance to leave the Suns given rampant Melbourne interest and his desire to leave last year. The Suns can only make every post a winner and hope their turnaround in form and his partner’s relatives moving north for support helps their case.

JADE GRESHAM (ST KILDA)

Will stay after strong start to the year that combines with St Kilda’s desperation to lock him away long-term. Believes the club’s changes have been significant and positive. A four-year deal would take him to free agency.

JACK BILLINGS (ST KILDA)

St Kilda was keen to sign a deal over summer but his management wisely held off while he built into the season. Essendon sniffed around him a few years back but he’s always been keen to stay. Now after three excellent games he has built his value as an elite wingman. A couple more months of excellent form wouldn’t hurt though.

PETER WRIGHT (GOLD COAST)

Reports that he was about to re-sign at the Suns a few weeks back were denied by those close to him. Took a series of huge contested marks last week to show his potential again.

If he could put together a season like 2017’s 31-goal effort he wins either way. Signs on big bucks at the Suns or tests the market back home in Victoria.

BRAYDEN SIER (COLLINGWOOD)

Nathan Buckley is annoyed by the interest in Sier, who hasn’t been able to break into the senior side after last year’s late-season heroics. But when Garry Lyon, a friend of his family, publicly says Essendon should chase him it is always going to raise eyebrows. No indication from him that he will do anything but work his backside off to get back into the senior side.

But everyone needs strong-bodied inside midfielders so rivals will sniff around until he re-signs.

AARON FRANCIS (ESSENDON)

Both Francis and the club were happy to wait until later in the year to work on a new contract after his brilliant finish to 2018. He took four contested marks in the clash against St Klida but otherwise hasn’t been particularly eye-catching and was dropped this week.

All still on track for a new deal but Dons fans will be thrilled when it is actually done.

DARCY PARISH (ESSENDON)

Back in the Essendon side and playing strong footy after being pushed out of the Round 1 side. Plenty of suitors but keen to remain at the club if he can carve out a niche as a hard-running midfielder. A Geelong boy so they are always interested in luring local boys home.

ED LANGDON (FREMANTLE)

Consistently linked to a move back to Melbourne. A consistent ball winner but doesn’t have the lethal disposal of many midfield stars. Clubs including St Kilda, Collingwood and North Melbourne were keen on him last year so interest in him is sure to bubble along.

TIM KELLY (GEELONG)

As reported by the Herald Sun, open to talks with all of Geelong, Fremantle and West Coast.

Fremantle have the season to prove to him they are a club on the rise and a 2-1 start to the season won’t hurt.

SAM WEIDEMAN (MELBOURNE)

Was keen to hold off talks to maximise his value as he replaces Jesse Hogan as Tom McDonald’s foil. So far hasn’t set the world on fire. Has five goals — including two against Essendon — but needs to crash more packs and be a more consistent performer if he is to get that fat contract.

ZAK JONES (SYDNEY)

Pushed into the midfield with exceptional results against Carlton, perfect timing for a player who stayed with Sydney when he signed his last contract despite strong interest from Melbourne and other Victorian clubs. Admitted back in August 2017 when he signed his last deal he had multiple Melbourne suitors but “I like being loyal to the team, they’re a loyal team to me. They drafted me and that’s something big for me.”

CALEB DANIEL (WESTERN BULLDOGS)

Can play half forward, midfield, wing, half back. Not good at one-on-ones with Jarryd Roughead …. But the kind of player who has such elite ball retention skills, setting up the Dogs from half back, that many clubs would want a player of his calibre. Discussions on a deal progressing, with a three-season contract getting him through to free agency.

[Mofra]

Aaron Francis is an interesting one - the knock on him early was his lack of tank and now he's been dropped.
Essendon offered him to the SA clubs a couple of years ago to little interest.

Hopefully we sign Daniel, he's clearly been trusted with an important role at the club and is a fan favourite so that should help convince him to stick around.

[bornadog]

Aaron Francis is an interesting one - the knock on him early was his lack of tank and now he's been dropped.
Essendon offered him to the SA clubs a couple of years ago to little interest.

Hopefully we sign Daniel, he's clearly been trusted with an important role at the club and is a fan favourite so that should help convince him to stick around.

Bevo mentioned in his presso the other day we are close to signing up a few of the guys out of contract this year. Daniel has earned himself one, that is for sure.

[bulldogtragic]

In the paper Hun talking about Naughton signing, they referenced English being done later this year. Now they reference perhaps Daniel signing on for 3 years. Both good extensions, great if we can get them soon.

[Axe Man]

Time for a trade? 10 out-of-favour players your club could target (https://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-04-18/time-for-a-trade-10-outoffavour-players-your-club-could-target)

THEY'RE the players in the AFL abyss.

Not able to force their way into their club's best line-ups a month into the season, these are the names rival club recruiters will begin to track closely for November's NAB AFL Trade Period.

Last year it was Jarryd Lyons, Anthony Miles and Jordan Roughead who spent large chunks of the season in state leagues before moving teams and becoming best 22 players.

Here's the 10 who will have clubs talking in 2019.

Hugh Greenwood – Adelaide
Games this year: Nil
Contract: 2019
Would suit: Hawthorn

Had an interrupted pre-season with an abdominal setback, but has now spent the past month in the SANFL side as the Crows have slumped to 1-3. Should he continue to be overlooked, rival clubs in need of a bid-bodied inside midfielder will circle. Played all 22 matches last season as a midfielder with time forward and at 27 still has plenty to offer. Tom Scully and Chad Wingard arrived at the Hawks this season, but could a clearance specialist such as Greenwood (191cm) appeal at Waverley Park?

Tom Cutler – Brisbane
Games this year: Nil
Contract: 2019
Would suit: Carlton

Played 18 matches last year as a tall wingman roaming between the arcs but has been overlooked for the opening month of 2019. Copped a knee knock that hampered parts of his JLT Community Series, however has been available for selection and simply left out. Now into his sixth year at the Lions, the 24-year-old has been given ample opportunity with 63 games. Could a move home and change of scenery at a club crying out for midfield depth take the 191cm Cutler to the next level?

Brayden Sier – Collingwood
Games this year: Nil
Contract: 2019
Would suit: Sydney

A major success story in the Pies' run to the Grand Final last year after cracking an AFL debut in round 15 and playing the final 12 matches. Went at 22 disposals and 5.3 clearances in the Pies' four finals but is yet to earn a senior game this season following the arrival of Dayne Beams. With Scott Pendlebury now 31, Sier would be the logical future replacement, but at 21 is he prepared to wait that long? Sydney's Josh Kennedy turns 31 this year. Could Sier do a Kennedy and head north as an inside bull?

Jayden Laverde – Essendon
Games this year: Nil
Contract: 2019
Would suit: Western Bulldogs

After his three-goal game to finish 2018, the former first-round draft pick would've had his sights set on a monster 2019. But after a quiet performance in the first JLT Community Series match, the 23-year-old found his way to the VFL where he injured his ankle on the weekend of AFL round two. Has teased Bombers fans but never played more than nine games in a season due to injury or form. The Dogs chased Chad Wingard last year to no avail, could Laverde provide a spark in attack despite a year to run on his Bombers' deal?

Will Brodie – Gold Coast
Games this year: Nil
Contract: 2020
Would suit: Essendon

One of four Suns drafted in the first-round of the 2016 NAB AFL Draft to receive deals to 2020, Brodie has 11 games to his name into his third season. But even with Jarryd Lyons and Aaron Hall departing, the 20-year-old has found himself in the NEAFL this year stuck behind George Horlin-Smith and Anthony Miles. After 30 disposals on the weekend, the Murray Bushranger has to be asking himself if it's time to look elsewhere. The Bombers missed on Will Setterfield last year, could they make a play for the 189cm Brodie as their future inside midfielder?

Brennan Cox – Fremantle
Games this year: Nil
Contract: 2020
Would suit: Collingwood

You only have to look at his match-winning four-goal performance in round 12 last season to realise that the South Australian has enormous upside. After playing mostly as a defender in his first season, the 20-year-old was swung into attack last year with immediate effect. However, the arrival of Jesse Hogan and Rory Lobb has changed things and after playing his WAFL return from injury as a forward on April 6, Cox was back in defence last week. With Lynden Dunn's career in doubt and the Pies' tall stocks thin behind Mason Cox and Brody Mihocek, could the Pies ask the question?

allum Moore – Richmond
Games this year: Nil
Contract: 2019
Would suit: North Melbourne

Always bound for a season in the VFL after signing a one-year contract following the arrival of Tom Lynch to partner Jack Riewoldt. But since Riewoldt has gone down through injury, Moore has been overlooked again – not even among the AFL emergencies for the first four games. The 193cm forward played six AFL games last year and has booted four goals from two VFL matches in 2019. North Melbourne is crying out for a goalkicker alongside Ben Brown and Mason Wood, could Moore be their man?

James Rose – Sydney
Games this year: Nil
Contract: 2019
Would suit: Port Adelaide

Now into his fifth season at Sydney, Rose has featured in at least one match every year since he was drafted. But with just nine senior games overall, he enters 2019 on a one-year deal. Continues to rack up possessions at ease in the NEAFL, headlined by his four-goal, 39 disposal game against a GWS reserves team featuring 16-AFL listed players a fortnight ago. Could he be a left-field option back home in SA with several Port Adelaide's goalkicking options now over 30?

Jake Waterman – West Coast
Games this year: Nil
Contract: 2020
Would suit: Brisbane

Bags of five goals at state league level turn recruiters' heads. Doing it in back-to-back weeks like Waterman (191cm) has over the past fortnight makes them stand up and take notice. The only problem is that he finds himself in a logjam behind a dual Coleman Medallist in Josh Kennedy, premiership spearhead Jack Darling and emerging star Oscar Allen. Dropped after round one, Waterman, 20, is well and truly in the Eagles' future plans after 16 home and away games last season. But with Kennedy signed on until at least the end of 2020, at what stage do you ponder other forward lines?

Bailey Williams – Western Bulldogs
Games this year: 1
Contract: 2019
Would suit: St Kilda

Took big strides last year as a dashing half-back for 13 games to round 15 before a foot injury set him back. Possessing a booming boot, the 21-year-old trained as a midfielder at times during this pre-season, earning just one senior game before he was curiously 'rested' for round two. After signing a two-year deal in 2017, the South Australian finds himself out of contract at the Whitten Oval. Would he appeal to the Saints to assist their ball use out of the back half or add more depth to the midfield?

[bulldogtragic]

It'd be interesting if Essendon still wanted Bailey Dale and offered up Laverde. I don't know enough to comment, other than both have had injuries and not kicked on as hoped.

[Bulldog4life]

I have always liked Tom Cutler of Brisbane. A booming kick of the ball too.

[bulldogtragic]

Conigilo appears to have done his ACL. That's going to make any free agency offer very interesting. When Patton did his when there were rumours of us and other clubs bring interested, the interest died. Or he stays, or he goes cheaper with risk. If he stays, then clubs that had parked money for him might put pressure on the contract value of others like Tomlinson.

[boydogs]

Conigilo appears to have done his ACL. That's going to make any free agency offer very interesting. When Patton did his when there were rumours of us and other clubs bring interested, the interest died. Or he stays, or he goes cheaper with risk. If he stays, then clubs that had parked money for him might put pressure on the contract value of others like Tomlinson.

Could be a 5 million dollar injury, if the contract goes from 1.6m x 5 to 1m x 3

[bulldogtragic]

Could be a 5 million dollar injury, if the contract goes from 1.6m x 5 to 1m x 3

Ouch. Worse than the actual pain.

[Twodogs]

Ouch. Worse than the actual pain.

Oh well. He will have more houses than he could poke a stick in, but no have premiership medals to put in them.

[Ghost Dog]

Jayden Laverde. No idea who he is.

Played 7 games and gets 1.1 a game so I read.
About the same as Tory Dickson.