This year’s list of available free agents has “thinned” following the mini re-signing spree in recent days.
On Tuesday, in-demand Sydney forward Will Hayward recommitted to the Swans, following in the footsteps of the unwavering Sam Taylor and Hugh McCluggage, who each penned extensions at their current clubs to stave off rival overtures.
“It was good, we got the deal done (on Monday), so it was a good night’s sleep last night, and a great feeling walking into the club today,” Hayward told Fox Footy’s AFL 360 on Tuesday night of securing his new contract.
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Asked if his interest was piqued by rival clubs’ lucrative offers, Hayward maintained that his love was for the Harbour City.
“It’s a good question,” he responded. “I think everyone’s asked me that as well, but my manager kept me in touch with what was going on.
“Deep down I knew my heart was here in Sydney — it’s a great club, and at the end of the day, I think the good people and the team success is what kept me here.”
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“What Carlton and those South Australian teams would’ve given to lure him back,” host Gerard Whateley said.
Chief Herald Sun footy writer Mark Robinson added: “I think Port Adelaide was right in there like a shot.”
“It’s been the time for it, hasn’t it?” Whateley said.
“(Hayward) for five years, Sam Taylor last night for seven, and we learned as we were closing that Hugh McCluggage had taken the same route and has committed himself, turned his back on free agency and he’s going to remain with the Lions for the rest of it.
“They’re all important signatures, (but) that one felt significant because the Lions are riding the bumps of it this year … If he sniffed that it was over, he might’ve been tempted away, but he clearly doesn’t.
“The free agents are choosing to stay, at the moment, aren’t they? (It) sort of thins out that list.”
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So, at the halfway point of the 2024 season, and with the available talent pool growing shallower, here is the remaining list of 2024 free agents.
Asterisk denotes a previously delisted player.
ADELAIDE CROWS
Restricted
–
Unrestricted
James Borlase *
Will Hamill *
Elliott Himmelberg
Brodie Smith
Taylor Walker
Ben Keays, who was headed for unrestricted free agency, signed a three-year contract in early April, tying his commitment to the Crows until the end of 2027. Rory Sloane was in the same boat as Keays but announced his retirement in late April. James Borlase has been promising as he aims to secure another contract.
BRISBANE LIONS
Restricted
Jarrod Berry
Unrestricted
Darragh Joyce *
Ryan Lester *
Jarryd Lyons *
Dayne Zorko
McCluggage will remain a Lion until at least the end of 2031. The 35-year-old Zorko looks like he could easily play on next season, while Berry will attract rival interest as long as he remains unsigned.
CARLTON
Restricted
–
Unrestricted
Sam Durdin *
David Cuningham
Caleb Marchbank
The Blues haven’t re-signed anyone from this list since the start of the year. Among a crowded forward-line group, what does Cuningham’s future hold?
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COLLINGWOOD
Restricted
–
Unrestricted
Jack Bytel *
Josh Eyre *
Will Hoskin-Elliott
Jeremy Howe
Oleg Markov *
Scott Pendlebury
Steele Sidebottom
The Magpies haven’t re-signed anyone from this list since the start of the year. Fascinating decisions are coming on Pendlebury and Sidebottom late in the year, while pre-season pickup Jack Bytel will need to prove more than he has thus far to earn a new deal.
ESSENDON
Restricted
Unrestricted
Todd Goldstein
Dyson Heppell
Jake Kelly
Andy McGrath, who entered the year as a restricted free agent, penned a six-year extension at The Hangar to take his commitment to the end of 2030. At the moment, Goldstein and Heppell look as though they could play on next year.
FREMANTLE
Restricted
–
Unrestricted
Bailey Banfield *
Ethan Hughes
Matt Taberner
Patrick Voss *
Corey Wagner *
The Dockers haven’t re-signed anyone from this list since the start of the year.
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GEELONG CATS
Restricted
Patrick Dangerfield
Unrestricted
Jed Bews
Mitch Duncan
Tom Hawkins
Jack Henry
Emerson Jeka *
Jake Kolodjashnij
Brandan Parfitt
Rhys Stanley
Tyson Stengle *
Zach Tuohy
Mark O’Connor, who was eligible for unrestricted free agency this year, signed a new two-year deal in late April to take his Cats commitment to the end of 2026. Among a bevy of unsigned names, the versatile Irishman is the only one to have earned a new deal to this point in the year. Unrestricted free agent Tyson Stengle will be an intriguing watch as the year progresses, with the 2022 All-Australian drawing plenty of rival intrigue.
GOLD COAST SUNS
Restricted
Ben Ainsworth
Unrestricted
Levi Casboult *
Sam Day *
Brandon Ellis
Nick Holman *
Sean Lemmens
Darcy MacPherson
Jack Mahony *
The Suns haven’t re-signed anyone from this list since the start of the year. Ainsworth is the clear retention priority from this list.
GWS GIANTS
Restricted
–
Unrestricted
Isaac Cumming
Nick Haynes
Adam Kennedy *
Harry Perryman
Callan Ward
Lachlan Keeffe *
The Giants haven’t re-signed anyone from this list since the start of the year. Perryman shapes as one of this year’s most in-demand names as long as he remains unsigned. Will Ward play on into what would be his 13th AFL season?
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HAWTHORN
Restricted
Blake Hardwick
Unrestricted
Luke Breust
Harry Morrison
Conor Nash
Jack Gunston
Cooper Stephens *
Chad Wingard *
The Hawks haven’t re-signed anyone from this list since the start of the year. Considering the year he’s had and the flexibility he provides, Blake Hardwick has to be the pick of the retention priorities, surely.
MELBOURNE
Restricted
–
Unrestricted
Jake Melksham *
Tom McDonald
Joel Smith
Adam Tomlinson
Marty Hore *
The Demons haven’t re-signed anyone from this list since the start of the year. Tomlinson and McDonald shape as interesting watches.
NORTH MELBOURNE
Restricted
Cam Zurhaar
Unrestricted
Bigoa Nyuon *
Toby Pink *
Hugh Greenwood *
Liam Shiels *
The Roos haven’t re-signed anyone from this list since the start of the year. Zurhaar is a name that will attract rival interest the longer he remains unsigned.
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PORT ADELAIDE
Restricted
–
Unrestricted
Travis Boak
Charlie Dixon
Francis Evans *
Trent McKenzie *
Quinton Narkle *
The Power haven’t re-signed anyone from this list since the start of the year. Does 358-gamer Travis Boak have enough in the tank to play on?
RICHMOND
Restricted
–
Unrestricted
Mate Colina *
Jack Graham
Dylan Grimes
Dustin Martin
Kamdyn McIntosh
Sam Naismith *
Dion Prestia
Skipper Toby Nankervis was eligible to exercise his free agency rights this year but turned his back on that prospect by signing a two-year deal last week. Meanwhile, Ben Miller entered the year as an unrestricted free agent but on Tuesday agreed to a two-year contract extension to remain at Punt Road until the end of 2026.
ST KILDA
Restricted
–
Unrestricted
Josh Battle
Riley Bonner *
Tom Campbell *
Tim Membrey *
Sebastian Ross
Liam Stocker *
Jimmy Webster
Mason Wood *
The Saints haven’t re-signed anyone from this list since the start of the year. Battle has drawn plenty of rival interest, with Hawthorn, North Melbourne, Collingwood and Melbourne all linked to the intercept defender this year, per Cal Twomey on the Gettable podcast. He can walk to any club this year without St Kilda resistance.
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SYDNEY SWANS
Restricted
–
Unrestricted
Harry Cunningham
Robbie Fox*
Sam Reid *
The free-agency-eligible Oliver Florent recommitted until 2029, while Hayward also cemented his five-year contract to keep him in Sydney until 2029. Meanwhile, Lewis Melican hit a trigger in his contract to extend his time at the Swans until at least the end of next season.
WEST COAST EAGLES
Restricted
–
Unrestricted
Liam Duggan
Andrew Gaff
Jamaine Jones *
Josh Rotham
Elliot Yeo
Zane Trew *
The Eagles haven’t re-signed anyone from this list since the start of the year. A big watch on Yeo this year, who reportedly has interest from the Adelaide Crows.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Restricted
Tim English
Unrestricted
Lachlan Bramble *
Taylor Duryea *
Jason Johannisen
Lachlan McNeil *
Unrestricted free agent Tom Liberatore inked a one-year extension in early April.