Despite a plethora of players re-committing to their clubs in recent weeks, there are still plenty of stars left without a contract heading into the pointy end of the 2024 season.
With a mixture of youth and mature-agers headlining the pack, Fox Footy has put together an update on a dozen high-profile players yet to re-sign beyond this year.
Between veterans negotiating their future in the twilight years of their career, to in-demand guns seeing their market price rise by the week, there’s a lot of business to be done in the coming weeks leading into finals.
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While there are also plenty of players contracted beyond this season who look set to be on the trade table, the following list covers those with an element of uncertainty past 2024.
So, as the market stands right now, it’s Fox Footy’s TradeState of Playfor 13 of the competition’s most high-profile players left without a contract for 2025!
Bailey Smith
The most high-profile of the out-of-contract Bulldogs heading into the end of 2024, it’s no secret that Bailey Smith has plans to leave the Kennel. Context on his future was provided by Channel 9’s Tom Morris earlier this month, who reported Luke Beveridge’s club have conceded he will have a new home in 2025.
“For now, they’re preparing for life without Bailey Smith who is back from Europe, and will soon decide between Geelong and Hawthorn,” Morris said to 9News.
Collingwood were initially thought to be in the race for the star 23-year-old, but seem to have gotten lost in the growing interest from Hawthorn and appeal of Geelong. At the time of writing, it’s a coin flip on where the midfielder will land out of the Cats and Hawks.
Dayne Zorko
The former Lions captain has been in scintillating form in 2024, and is widely considered a chance for his second-ever All-Australian blazer. Speaking exclusively to foxfooty.com.au’s Jack Jovanovski last month, Zorko expressed that he “wants to play on” beyond this year.
“I’m just happy to play whatever role I need to for the team. If that requires me to go forward at some stage, or in the midfield, I’m more than happy to do it.”
Zorko has signed multiple one-year deals to extend his stay at the Lions before, with that trend to continue should he reach a 14th year at the club.
Cameron Zurhaar
In a pleasant surprise for Kangaroos fans, midfield-forward bull Cam Zurhaar is now expected to stay at Arden Street, despite heavy speculation the 26-year-old may look at joining a second club at the end of his current contract. But according to Tom Morris on SEN’s Crunch Time, the script seems to have flipped.
“My information is that there’s increasing confidence that he’ll now stay,” Morris saidon Sunday morning.
“There’s no signature, there’s nothing formal, but I am now prepared to say that it would be a big surprise if he played anywhere but North Melbourne next year.”
The 115-gamer has been in particularly strong form the last five weeks, with the club’s recent incline in form looking to have helped his drift towards re-signing with the Roos.
Harry Perryman
One of the more intriguing trade stories to come out of 2024 so far is Harry Perryman, who has all of a sudden become hunted by multiple clubs. As reported earlier this month by AFL.com.au’s Callum Twomey, Perryman has been tabled a five-year contract by his current club the Giants, with both SA clubs and Hawthorn providing hot competition for the 25-year-old. The Hawks’ interest in Josh Battle and Bailey Smith may work in favour of the Giants, Crows and Power however, with Perryman the third priority for Hawthorn behind Bailey Smith and Josh Battle. And while there’s still no certainty on his whereabouts in 2025, he’s definitely a storyline worth following in the coming weeks. With genuine midfield time at Port Adelaide unlikely, he might be best staying at the Giants.
Isaac Cumming
The 25-year-old defender made his return to the top-level against Adelaide in Round 16, who as foxfooty.com.au understands, shapes as a player who could potentially be poached in the upcoming trade period. The Crows, along with Collingwood, see the out-of-contract Giant as someone they can acquire, with GWS still yet to make inroads – despite their interest in re-signing him dating back to the very start of 2024. And if the Dockers miss out on Liam Baker, would they all of a sudden flag their interest? Uncertainty no doubt looms over Cumming; albeit mainly due to his lack of football at senior level this year. Word on his whereabouts beyond this year have been kept very quiet, which is fair given his want to get back on the park and simply play his best footy.
Josh Battle
Undoubtedly the hottest Saint on the market right now, the battle for Battle has only ramped up in recent weeks as a red-hot Hawks close in on the defender. According to multiple sources, Hawthorn has reportedly offered the 25-year-old a six-year contract on good coin – an offer that might just be too good for St Kilda and Battle to refuse. With the Moorabbin-based club holding fire on a plethora of out-of-contract players, the suspense around him moving on from his club of eight years is only growing. Fox Footy’s Jon Ralph reported on Friday night that the Hawks may need to pay as much as $950K a year, in a move that could allow captain James Sicily to play as a swingman and not just a key defender.
Liam Baker
There’s been a lot of talk about Baker’s future at Punt Road, with his supposed whereabouts of late moving like the wind. The race looks almost certainly down to three clubs: Richmond, Fremantle and West Coast – and the Tigers right now probably don’t love their chances. The Dockers clearly have the more superior draft hand of the two rival clubs, and could well force the hand of Adam Yze’s list management with an offer too good to refuse. In saying that, it looks like his preference might lay at the Eagles over the Dockers in an interesting twist as per the Herald Sun’s Jon Ralph. With a management team that has kept their cards very close to their chest, it’s hard to know for sure what Baker will do; but a fresh start back in his home state of Western Australia feels more likely than not. The Eagles seem the likeliest of the trio to gain his services, but there’s still a lot to play out.
Lloyd Meek
The former Docker has been in career-best form so far this year, and looks set to receive a worthy extension from Hawthorn after seemingly taking the number one ruck spot over teammate Ned Reeves. An every-so-slight tweak in a ruck rule change on the eve of this season has worked greatly in favour of Meek, as he averages a touch under 35 hitouts a game in 2024 – nearly double his average from last year. After playing 29 games in his year and a half at the club, foxfooty.com.au understands that there’s no need for Hawks fans to fret due to a lack of signature – there’s no indication the 203cm tall will leave Waverley Park.
Matt Guelfi
Having set the Bombers alight for parts of 2024, a lively Guelfi is surprisingly still out of contract beyond this year. As foxfooty.com.au reported back in May, both parties were willing to wait until after their Round 14 bye before taking discussions further. A loyal player who has traditionally been selfless in his on-field role at the club, it would be a surprise to see Guelfi leaves Tullamarine for a second AFL club. Cards are being held particularly close to the chest when it comes to word on a contract extension, but Essendon fans will certainly hope Guelfi stays put under Brad Scott in 2025. Expect him to sign on in the not-too distant future.
Patrick Dangerfield
In a shock to no one, Patrick Dangerfield won’t be anywhere else but Geelong in 2025 – despite remaining out of contract heading into Round 17. Despite puzzling reports of an Adelaide Crows ‘Hail Mary’ to bring back the eight-time All-Australian to his maiden club, there will be no shock switch from Dangerfield. It truly is just a matter of when, and not if – and when he does re-sign, how long for? The club would obviously extend the eight-time All-Australian for one season in a heartbeat, but when asked about re-signing until the end of 2026, the Cat was very transparent. “That is the conversation to be frank,” Dangerfield told SEN. “I haven’t had any in depth conversations around that just yet but I am comfortable with where things are at and the club are,” he added. As a club captain who – when fit – is more than good enough to play another two seasons, it feels more likely than unlikely he’ll get his desired two-year extension.
Scott Pendlebury
After speculation on his future, Pendlebury hinted to ABC Sport last Friday night that he would play on for another year, saying that was ‘in talks’ for a contract extension. Only in 2020 during COVID has the 36-year-old played less than 16 games in a season since his debut season all the way back in 2006; evidence that the on-baller is still clearly in Collingwood’s best side. His future beyond this year is far less up in the air than what it was a couple of months ago, but how the Magpies close out 2024 could also be a deciding factor in his decision.
Taylor Walker
Not for the first time, the whereabouts of star Crow Taylor Walker has been reportedly up in the air during the season of an expiring contract. Reports surfaced last month that the 34-year-old could be open to a move outside of South Australia. However, foxfooty.com.au understands that something would have to change drastically for the 2023 All-Australian to leave his club of 16 years, despite speculation he could land elsewhere if the Crows sit on the fence long enough. Expect the Crows to give him a one-year extension towards the end of the season or retire, with his output more than serviceable beyond 2024. With Thilthorpe making a successful return from injury against St Kilda, hopefully the heavy load can finally be eased off Walker for at least one more year of football.
Tim English
The 208cm giant is viewed by some as the most ‘gettable’ All-Australian on the market, but which rival besides West Coast has made their want for him public? The tall would also slot in well at Adelaide, Geelong and Port Adelaide, but are they willing to offer the contract he desires? Foxfooty.com.au understands that West Coast’s interest in the All-Australian ruck has cooled down in recent times, with his hopes for a long-term contract a slight deterrent despite his damaging output. There is a world where he’s playing for his trade value at the moment, but with a sizeable offer from the Bulldogs in front of him, it would be a surprise if he turned down the security of their five-year deal.
Other big names still out of contract beyond 2024: Dustin Martin, Jake Stringer, Mason Wood, Steele Sidebottom, Dyson Heppell, Ben Ainsworth, Changkuoth Jiath, Jack Martin, Ollie Henry, Riley Garcia