The AFL this week released its full list of official 2025 free agents.
While many are expected to ignore big offers, some stars are seriously considering moves to rival clubs.
In the latest episode of the Midweek Tackle digital-only show ‘Tackle The Headline’, Herald Sun reporters Lauren Wood, Glenn McFarlane and Josh Barnes assess the biggest storylines surrounding this year’s free agency crop.
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BRANDON STARCEVICH (Brisbane Lions – Restricted Free Agent)
Glenn McFarlane says: “I reckon he’s the question mark, he’s the one we can’t really lock in just yet. We know he’s back running … but there’s still some tests they’re doing. There’s a two-year contract that had been on the table, there’d been some interest from WA clubs as well. Everything now had been parked until the back-end of the year, so I think that’s very much a ‘watch this space’.”
Clark reveals fresh TDK contract call | 00:52
TOM DE KONING (Carlton – Restricted Free Agent)
Josh Barnes says: “It’s never good news when he’s putting off contract talks … traditionally that means they’re gone. I don’t think it’s completely the case in the Tom De Koning situation here. A couple of years ago even Carlton people thought he was out the door and going to Sydney or St Kilda then, but he decided to stay. I think we’re going to find out at the end of the year on this one. I think he’s going to flip back and forth, see the money. If Carlton improves and makes the top eight, maybe he stays. I don’t think we’re going to get a decision until September or October.”
Glenn McFarlane says: “I was really confident he would stay, but I’m starting to go the other way now. I’m really concerned … And the irony of this is he’s one of the most loyal blokes you’ll ever meet, so it really must be wrestling with him at the moment.”
JAMES WORPEL (Hawthorn – Restricted Free Agent)
Glenn McFarlane says: “You would’ve thought he would’ve been signed up. There’s a few other clubs that are really quite interested – Melbourne and St Kilda are both interested in getting that hard-working midfielder – but I reckon he’ll end up staying. If I’m a Hawthorn player, I don’t want to be leaving Hawthorn. He’s young enough to carry on for a number of years to come and when he’s not there – all those midfielders at Hawthorn bring a different dynamic – I reckon they would miss him terribly. I spoke to Hawthorn a week or so ago and they did say that all this talk that he’s gone, forget that. They’re really still keen to keep him.”
Josh Barnes says: “And two years ago, he was a late signee and did it quite late in the season. So it’s not unusual for him.”
Why Allen doesn’t ‘owe’ Eagles | 03:22
OSCAR ALLEN (West Coast Eagles – Restricted Free Agent)
Josh Barnes says: “It just feels that way (that he’s going). Even after the noise and the wave last week, we still haven’t heard anything about progress on any contract talks. Even after sitting down with the club and discussing his future as captain potentially and all that stuff, we haven’t had any steps forward on actually signing a new deal. He said in that infamous press conference that he sees his future at West Coast, but I wasn’t convinced by that either. It’s hard to feel like he’s been supported by the Eagles … It’s a massive loss for West Coast if he goes. Potentially Harley Reid might be on the block as well to get out of there at the end of this season. If they lose those two – they’re rubbish at the moment – and they’re going to nosedive without their captain and best young player potentially. It’s real edge of the precipice stuff.”
Glenn McFarlane says: “I think he goes – and it might not necessarily be Hawthorn. I think Brisbane Lions are right in this up to their ears and I reckon that’s a big opportunity for him to go up there and play that Joe Daniher role.”
ED RICHARDS (Western Bulldogs – Restricted Free Agent)
Glenn McFarlane says: “He stays. I’m convinced he stays. He’s such an important player there. They’ve got a couple of ones done, the Dogs, but this is a real priority to get it done now. I reckon he’ll be looking at a five or a six-year deal. He’s a really good player and such an important player going forward. Don’t worry, there’s plenty of interest, but I’m pretty certain he’ll end up staying.”
Lions remain unbeaten with epic comeback | 02:02
MATT CROUCH (Adelaide Crows – Unrestricted Free Agent)
Josh Barnes says: “Eighteen months ago, he was basically out the door. He wasn’t playing seniors and he was pretty much shunted and forgotten about. Now he plays every single game, he’s in every centre bounce for Adelaide. I think he stays. He spoke a couple of weeks ago of how much he loves the club, so I think he stick around. I think his playing type isn’t that enticing to rival clubs as much these days – an accumulator who isn’t a great runner on the outside. I can’t see any reason why he’d move on. Adelaide refreshed their midfield in the last couple of years, I don’t think they’re hunting huge midfield talent at the moment. It makes sense for him to stay.”
JACK SILVAGNI (Carlton – Unrestricted Free Agent)
Glenn McFarlane says: “I’m assuming he would stay, I’d be surprised if he left. There’d be interest because he’s an unusual player in that he can play various roles – and I think that’s really important, the fact you’ve got that flexibility to play forward and back. He’s looked really good when he’s played back surprisingly because I thought he was a forward, but he can do both. He’s invested in this group, he wants to keep going. I’d be surprised if he left.”
Josh Barnes says: “Six weeks ago, he hadn’t played in 12 months and people were wondering where he plays. He’s super valuable to Michael Voss right now, so it’s hard to see them letting him go.”
Kangaroos drop Monster Maynard offer! | 02:47
BRAYDEN MAYNARD (Collingwood – Unrestricted Free Agent)
Josh Barnes says: “It’s a business decision for Brayden Maynard now. I think he’d be leaning towards going. He wants Collingwood to come to the table, I think he’s sort of publicly urging them to give him more money to stay. But when you’re getting offered what he is at North, I’d probably be going.”
TOM LYNCH (Richmond – Unrestricted Free Agent)
Glenn McFarlane says: “Stay. At this stage of your career, you’ve won two flags – just stay. It’s important for him to stay.”
MARCUS BONTEMPELLI (Western Bulldogs – Unrestricted Free Agent)
Lauren Wood says: “He still has not re-signed! He said at the start of the season – and I asked him 18 different ways – ‘When? How? How much? How long?’– he was adamant it wasn’t part of his psyche, ‘we want to get off to a good start to the season’. Surely he is staying …”
Josh Barnes says: “What’s he doing on the list?! It would be the biggest ripple in many, many years if he decided to pack up and walk out of the Bulldogs. He just has to stay. He’s an ornament of the club, he’s the best player they’ve ever had potentially. It’s just impossible to imagine him in another jumper isn’t it?”