The 2026 AFL free agency period is set to be an exciting one with several star players up for grabs. In this video, we’ll dive into the list of players who will be out of contract and explore the potential moves that could shake up the league.
Headliners:
– Zak Butters (Port Adelaide): A highly sought-after midfielder with strong ties to Victoria.
– Zac Bailey (Brisbane): Fresh off a grand final appearance, Bailey’s value is skyrocketing.
– Sam Walsh (Carlton): The on-baller is already attracting interest from rival clubs.
– Ben King (Gold Coast): Victorian clubs are eyeing this talented spearhead.
Other Notable Free Agents:
– Mitch Lewis (Hawthorn)
– Patrick Voss (Fremantle)
– Joel Amartey (Sydney)
– Toby Greene (GWS)
– Toby Nankervis (Richmond)
– Christian Salem (Melbourne)
Club-by-Club Breakdown:
– Adelaide: Jordon Butts, Chayce Jones, Rory Laird, and more.
– Brisbane: Noah Answerth, Darcy Gardiner, Dayne Zorko, and the highly anticipated Zac Bailey.
– Carlton: Nick Haynes, Nic Newman, and the in-demand Sam Walsh.
– Collingwood: Jack Crisp, Jeremy Howe, and the veteran Scott Pendlebury.
– Essendon: Jade Gresham and Matt Guelfi.
– Fremantle: Bailey Banfield, Oscar McDonald, and Patrick Voss.
– Geelong: Mark Blicavs, Patrick Dangerfield, and Jack Martin.
– Gold Coast: Oscar Adams, Caleb Graham, and the highly sought-after Ben King.
– GWS: Kieren Briggs, Stephen Coniglio, and Toby Greene.
– Hawthorn: Jack Gunston, Mitch Lewis, and Harry Morrison.
– Melbourne: Tom Campbell, Bayley Fritsch, Steven May, and Christian Salem.
– North Melbourne: Aidan Corr and Luke McDonald.
– Port Adelaide: Zak Butters and Ollie Wines.
– Richmond: Nathan Broad, Tom Lynch, Toby Nankervis, and Nick Vlastuin.
– St Kilda: Jack Carroll and Liam Stocker.
– Sydney: Joel Amartey and Justin McInerney.
– West Coast: Tom Cole and Matt Flynn.
– Western Bulldogs: Lachie Bramble, Ryan Gardner, and Tom Liberatore.
Stay tuned as we keep you updated on the latest AFL news and rumors leading up to the 2026 free agency period. Who do you think will be the biggest movers? Let us know in the comments below!
Get ready for an exciting ride as we dive into the world of AFL free agency. The 2026 season is shaping up to be a star-studded affair with some of the league’s biggest names up for grabs. From talented midfielders to lethal forwards, every club is eyeing these free agents to bolster their rosters. But here’s where it gets controversial. With so much talent available, which players will command the highest prices and which teams will be willing to pay? And this is the part most people miss. The impact of free agency can completely reshape the league’s competitive landscape. So, let’s explore the most sought-after free agents and the potential implications for the upcoming season. First up, we have Zack Butters of Port Adelaide. This star midfielder has been a hot topic of discussion this season with his future hanging in the balance. Given his home state connection to Victoria, many clubs are eager to secure his services. However, with Port Adelaide holding the power to match any offer, the price tag for Butters could be astronomical. It’s a tricky situation and one that might rule out certain clubs from making a play for him. Next, we turn our attention to Zack Bailey of Brisbane. This two-time Premiership player in recent All Australian selection has seen his value skyrocket in recent months. His performance in the grand final win over Gilong, finishing third in the Norm Smith medal voting has put him firmly in the spotlight. Baileyy’s talent is undeniable, and he’s sure to attract massive offers from multiple clubs. Will Brisbane be able to retain him, or will he become the next bigname free agent to switch teams? Lucky Neil, another Brisbane Lion, is also eligible for free agency for the first time in his career. Traded from Fremantle, Neil’s experience and leadership could be a valuable asset for any club. Similarly, Sam Walsh of Carlton might be the club’s potential captain in 2026, but his skills as a gun-onballer have not gone unnoticed by other teams. With a busy trade period at Carlton, including the high-profile move of Charlie Kerno to Sydney, the New Look Blues are sure to be a force to be reckoned with in 2026. Moving down the coast, we find Ben King of Gold Coast. Victorian clubs are rumored to be interested in luring this goal kicker back home. King, who signed a two-year extension with the Suns in 2024, has already been linked to Collingwood. With Gold Coast coming off their first finals campaign and securing Christian Petra, the future looks bright for the Suns. However, the potential departure of King could be a significant loss. Other key forwards set to hit the market include Mitch Lewis of Hawthorne, Patrick Foss of Fremantle, and Jolola Marte of Sydney. These players will undoubtedly attract attention from clubs looking to strengthen their forward lines. Additionally, captains Toby Green of the Giants and Toby Nankervvis of Richmond along with triple Premiership Tiger Nick Vastuin will also become free agents providing an opportunity for teams to bolster their leadership groups. Melbourne is set to have the most free agents of any club with nine players eligible, including Christian Salem, Steven May, and Bailey Frri. This presents an interesting challenge for the club as they navigate the free agency period. Check out the full list of 2026 free agents for each club below. Get ready for an exciting off season as these players futures are decided. And remember, free agency can be a gamecher. So stay tuned to see how these moves impact the league’s dynamics. Free agents by club. Adelaide, Jordan Buts, James Borlace, Mitch Hinge, Chos Jones, Rory Leair, Les Shaw, Taylor Walker, Brisbane, Noah Aner, Zack Bailey, Darcy Garder, Ryan Leester, Li Neil, Dan Zoro, Karuten, Nick Haynes, Nits, Newman, Sam, Zach Williams, Collingwood, Jack Crisp, Jeremy How, Tim Mey, Scott Pendleberry, Steel, Side, Bottom, Essenden, Jade Gresham, Matt Gelfely, Liam McMahon, Jackson Prior, Freemental, Bailey Benfield, Oscar Macdonald, Samstitski, Patrick Vas, Cory Vagner, Gilong, Mark Bleavs, Patrick Dangerfield, Jake Ka, Ashnage, Jack Martin, Mark Oconor, Ree Stanley, Gold Coast, Oscar Adams, Caleb Graham, Ben King, Lucky Weller, Jared Witz, GWS, Kieran Briggs, Steven Kiglio, Toby Green, Hawthorne, Jack Gunston, German, Mitch Lewis, Harry Morrison, Ned Reeves. Melbourne, Tom Campbell, Cade Chandler, Jai Cully, Bailey Frri, Steven May, Tom Macdonald, Jake Melcham, Christian Salem, Tom Sparrow. North Melbourne, Aiden Sior, Luke Macdonald, Toby Pink, Bailey Scott, Port Adelaide, Zack Butters, Darcy Burn Jones, Olly Wines, Richmond, Nathan Broad, Tom Lynch, Ben Miller, Toby Nankervvis, Dion Preia, Jack Ross, Nick Flashuan, St. Kilda, Jack Carroll, Liam Stalker, Sydney, Joel Marte, Harry Cunningham, Joel Hamling, Justin McCannernney, West Coast, Tom Cole, Matt Flynn, Bailey Williams, Western Bulldogs, Lhee Bramble, Ryan Gardner, Buku Thomas, Tom Lee Beratori, Lhee McNeel, Riley West. So, what do you think? Which free agents will make the biggest impact in 2026? Will any clubs make bold moves to reshape their rosters? The future of these players is up for grabs, and the decisions made during this free agency period could define the success of many teams. Feel free to share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below.
