The 2026 AFL free agency period is set to be an exciting one with several star players potentially on the move. In this video, we break down the top free agents and their potential destinations:
Zak Butters (Port Adelaide): The highly sought-after midfielder could be heading home to Victoria, but at what cost?
Zac Bailey (Brisbane): After a stellar season, Bailey’s value has skyrocketed. Will the Lions be able to retain him?
Sam Walsh (Carlton): A young leader, Walsh is already attracting interest from rival clubs.
Ben King (Gold Coast): Victorian clubs are eyeing the talented forward.
Here’s a comprehensive list of players eligible for free agency in 2026, organized by club:
Club Lists:
Adelaide: Jordon Butts, James Borlase, Mitch Hinge, Chayce Jones, Rory Laird, Lachie Sholl, Taylor Walker
Brisbane: Noah Answerth, Zac Bailey, Darcy Gardiner, Ryan Lester, Lachie Neale, Dayne Zorko
Carlton: Nick Haynes, Nic Newman, Sam Walsh, Zac Williams
Collingwood: Jack Crisp, Jeremy Howe, Tim Membrey, Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom
Essendon: Jade Gresham, Matt Guelfi, Liam McMahon, Jaxon Prior
Fremantle: Bailey Banfield, Oscar McDonald, Sam Sturt, Sam Switkowski, Patrick Voss, Corey Wagner
Geelong: Mark Blicavs, Patrick Dangerfield, Jake Kolodjashnij, Jack Martin, Mark O’Connor, Rhys Stanley
Gold Coast: Oscar Adams, Caleb Graham, Ben King, Lachie Weller, Jarrod Witts
GWS: Kieren Briggs, Stephen Coniglio, Toby Greene
Hawthorn: Jack Gunston, Jarman Impey, Mitch Lewis, Harry Morrison, Ned Reeves
Melbourne: Tom Campbell, Kade Chandler, Jai Culley, Bayley Fritsch, Steven May, Tom McDonald, Jake Melksham, Christian Salem, Tom Sparrow
North Melbourne: Aidan Corr, Luke McDonald, Toby Pink, Bailey Scott
Port Adelaide: Zak Butters, Darcy Byrne-Jones, Ollie Wines
Richmond: Nathan Broad, Tom Lynch, Ben Miller, Toby Nankervis, Dion Prestia, Jack Ross, Nick Vlastuin
St Kilda: Jack Carroll, Liam Stocker
Sydney: Joel Amartey, Harry Cunningham, Joel Hamling, Justin McInerney
West Coast: Tom Cole, Matt Flynn, Bailey Williams
Western Bulldogs: Lachie Bramble, Ryan Gardner, Buku Khamis, Tom Liberatore, Lachie McNeil, Rhylee West
Who do you think will be the biggest movers in the 2026 free agency period? Let us know in the comments!
Hold on to your hats, EFL fans. The 2026 free agency period is shaping up to be an absolute blockbuster, potentially triggering seismic shifts across the league. We are talking about a constellation of stars who could be on the move and the competition to secure their signatures is going to be fierce. The trade and free agency dust has settled for now and AFL clubs are solidifying their list, but whispers about 2026 are already getting loud. So, who are these coveted players set to become free agents next year? Get ready for some big names. At the forefront of this starudded lineup are Port Adelaide’s dynamic Zack Butters, Brisbane’s electrifying Zack Bailey, Carlton’s midfield maestro Sam Walsh, and Gold Coast key forward powerhouse Ben King. These guys aren’t just good, they’re game changers. Advertisement break. Watch every match of the 2025 NAB AFL Women’s Season live at break free during play. New to KO? Join now and get your first month for just $1. https/kosports.com.au/christianmarkp AU/Crushianpg equal sign AFL extra link- EDT- FSP-LNK- GRC- AFL-Qand channel equals sign FSA MS% campaign equals sign FSA contra% voucher equals gambling awareness message. What’s gambling really costing you? Set a deposit limit. For free and confidential support, call 18008-58858 or visit gamblinghelonline.org.auu. Let’s dive deeper into these potential free agency earthquakes. Sack Butters is arguably the most sought-after free agent of 2026, and this is the part most people miss. His future has been a hot topic all season long, fueled by strong links to a return to his home state of Victoria. The speculation has been intense and for good reason. He’s a game-changing midfielder who can single-handedly alter the course of a match. But here’s where it gets controversial. Considering Port Adelaide possesses the right to match any offer he receives and factoring in the hefty price paid for Charlie Kerno, what kind of package would it really take to pry Butters away from Albertton? We are talking multiple first round draft picks, potentially even player swaps. It’s a king’s ransom and the power know it. This might have already dissuaded clubs like Gilong, especially if they’ve already spent big on other players. Then there’s Zack Bailey. If any player has dramatically increased their value recently, it’s Bailey. Fresh off his second premiership with the Lions and earning his first Australian selection. This South Australian star is poised to attract massive offers. He was also a standout performer in the grand final, finishing third in Nom Smith medal voting. Brisbane will be desperate to keep him. Bailey has a history of signing contract extensions during the off season, so the Lions faithful will be hoping they can lock away the talented 26-year-old over the summer. Fellow Lion Lock Neo will also be eligible for free agency, marking the first time in his illustrious career he’ll be able to explore his options after being traded from freemental several years ago. Will he stay loyal to Brisbane or will the lure of another club proof too strong? Cotton Sam Walsh is another name sending shivers down spines of opposition coaches. Walsh could be the Blues captain by 2026, but rival clubs are already circling, eager to snatch up this gun on baller and former Gilong Falcon. This comes on the heels of a busy trade period for Carlton, including the Colonel deal to Sinei, reshaping the Blues into one of the most intriguing teams to watch in 2026. Can Carlton keep hold of their prize midfielder amidst the brewing interest? Petroka heaps praise on new coach. 147 video link. Gold coast Ben King is another intriguing player to watch. Victorian clubs are undoubtedly plotting to lure the key forward back home. King, who signed a 2-year extension with the Suns early in 2024, has already been linked to Collingwood. This all unfolds during the most exciting chapter in Gold Coast history. They’re coming off their first ever finals appearance and secured Christian Petroa during the trade period. Are they finally building a dynasty or will the temptation of returning to Victoria prove too strong for King? Other notable key forwards set to hit the market include Hawthon’s Meech Lewis, Fremantle’s Patrick Voss, and Sineis Joel Matei. Their performances in the upcoming season will heavily influence their market value. Don’t forget about the season veterans. GWS Giants keeper Toby Green, Richmond captain Toby Nankavis, and triple Premiership Tiger Nate Vlashuin can also become free agents. Their experience and leadership will be invaluable assets to any club lucky enough to secure their services. Melbourne is projected to have the most free agents of any club with a staggering nine players potentially hitting the market including Christian Salem, Steven May, and Batty Fridge. This could force the Demons into some tough decisions about their list management strategy. Here’s a breakdown of every club’s current list of 2026 free agents. Adelaide asterisk Jordan Bats asterisk James Base asterisk Mitch Hinch asterisk Charles Jones asteris Rory Le asterisk Lucky Shaw asterisk Taylor Walker Brisben asteris Noah Ansuff asteris Zack Bailey asteris Darcy Gardner asteris Ryan Lester asterisk Lock Neil asterisk Dane Zo Carlton asterisk Nick Haynes asterisk Nick Newman asterisk Sam Walsh asterisk Zack Williams Colonel insist no that blood with Voss 133 video link calling wood asterisk Jack Crisp asteris Jeremy for me. How asterisk Tim Mey asterisk Scott Pendlebury asterisk steel sibotum essendon asterisk Jade Gresham asterisk Matt Gelfie asterisk Liam Mcmman asterisk Jackson Prior Freemantel asterisk Bailey Banfield asterisk Oscar Macdonald asterisk Sam Sto asterisk Samuikosski asterisk Patrick Voss asterisk Cory Wagner Jillong asterisk Mark Bleaf’s asterisk Patrick Dangerfield asteris Jake Collashnich asterisk Jack Martin asterisk Mark Okconor asteris Ree Stanley Ross Lion Koi on Alo backflip 306 video link Gold Coast asterisk Oscar Adams asterisk Caleb Graham asterisk Ben King asterisk Lucky Weller asterisk Jared Witz GWS asterisk Kieran Briggs asterisk Steven Kiglio asteris Toby Green Hawthorne asterisk Jack Gunston asterisk Jaman Impe asterisk Meech Lewis asterisk Harry Morrison asterisk Nate Reefs Melbourne asterisk Tom Kebell asterisk Kate Chandler asterisk Jaikali asterisk Bailey Fridge asterisk Steven May asteris Tom Macdonald Donald asterisk Jake Melksham asterisk Christian Salem asterisk Tom Sparrow merit speed to join Hawkfields 128 video link north Melbourne asterisk Aiden co r asterisk Luke Macdonald asterisk Toby Pink asterisk Batty Scott port Edelate asterisk Zack Butters asteris Darcy Burn Jones asterisk Olly Wines Richmond asterisk Nathan Broad asterisk Tom Lynch asterisk Ben Miller asterisk Toby Nankavvis asterisk Dion Preia asterisk Jack Ross asterisk Nick Vluin St. killed her.
