It is never easy coming up against your former side.
For a raft of reasons, players opt to exercise their exploration rights, seeking moves to rival clubs.
Following the reveal of the 2025 AFL Fixture, which has seen a significant increase in Thursday night games and a new primetime slot, we've taken a look at when your club's recruits come up against their old team.
SEE MORE: All the Ins and Outs for YOUR club
Through the trade and free agency periods, 30 players found new homes, and we jot down when they'll have a more-than-nervous night's sleep...
Adelaide
Isaac Cumming and James Peatling
The GWS pair moved from New South Wales to South Australia during the off-season to a club that is ripe for a finals appearance.
Cumming and Peatling will slot straight into Matthew Nicks' line-up, claiming spots across half-back and the midfield.
The Giants wanted to keep them, but the deal at Adelaide was too hard to ignore.
Will they receive an angry reception?
Round 6 vs GWS, Adelaide Oval
A South Australian who spent the last decade in Victoria at the Demons.
Neal-Bullen cited family reasons as the reason to move to the Crows, which was gracefully granted by Melbourne.
A club favourite at the Demons, the 2021 premiership player could receive some love from his former fans.
Round 17 vs Melbourne, Adelaide Oval
Carlton
An inaugural Giant who found himself starved of senior opportunities.
The decision to move was mutual, with GWS gladly allowing Haynes to walk to Carlton.
Round 11 vs GWS, Marvel Stadiumย
Collingwood
Dan Houston
Arguably, the biggest name in the trade period was involved in the biggest deal.
Houston crossed from Port Adelaide to the Pies with multiple years remaining on his contract.
The two-time All-Australian will experience hostility from the proud Power outfit and its fan base.
Round 1 vs Port Adelaide, MCG
Another Giant who found a new home, seeking a more permanent fixture in midfield.
The Pies offered Perryman a deal that GWS couldn't match but also blew rivals out of the water.
Opening Round vs GWS, Engie Stadium
The former Saint was delisted as the club heads in a youthful direction, with Collingwood swooping on yet another player over the age of 30.
A club stalwart at St Kilda and a much-loved talent will have to wait to face his former club though.
Round 15 vs St Kilda, Marvel Stadiumย
Fremantle
A Richmond premiership star who wanted to return to Western Australia to be closer to family.
The trade was a win-win, with the Tigers securing two first-round picks.
Bolton was still contracted at Punt Road but helped deliver flags in the club's golden era.
Gather Round vs Richmond, Barossa Park
Geelong
A contest that will no doubt have plenty of spice.
Smith left the Dogs for the Cats in a bid to play more midfield after being shafted to the wings and half-forward line.
The highly-popular player sat out the 2024 season with an ACL tear, but reports also indicated a desire to leave the Kennel before the knee injury.
One to watch.
Round 11 vs Western Bulldogs, GMHBA Stadium
The Blues saw no future for the clever forward, and given his injury history, it's a decision they can live with.
However, as Geelong do, they have a knack for turning around a struggling career to play a prominent role in its flag pursuit.
For Cats fans, let's hope Martin does hit his potential.
Round 7 vs Carlton, MCG
Gold Coast
A targeted player by Dimma and the Suns, Rioli was a contracted Tiger, but the lure north was enough to get a deal done.
He played in three premierships, so there's a level of understanding among Richmond fans, especially given where the club is heading.
Round 6 vs Richmond, Marvel Stadium
Round 21 vs Richmond, People First Stadiumย
Pies supporters can't be too displeased with Noble, especially after defeating the odds as a mid-season recruit.
He wanted to be closer to family in Queensland but felt a level of anxiety around his role, given he was dropped for the 2023 finals series.
Collingwood got their man in Houston, so they won't be too upset.
Round 18 vs Collingwood, People First Stadiumย
One of a handful of free agents to make the switch, Himmelberg clearly wanted a fresh start in the AFL after unsuccessfully making a move to GWS 12 months ago.
Fellow expansion side Gold Coast came calling, looking to bolster their key position stocks following the departure of veterans Levi Casboult and Sam Day.
The Crows didn't play Himmelberg that often, so no love was lost between the two parties.
Round 4 vs Adelaide, People First Stadium
Round 19 vs Adelaide, Adelaide Oval
GWS
A trade deal that went through in the final minutes.
Stringer would have a chip on his shoulder as the Bombers refused to extend him beyond 2025, albeit a contract that was hit by a trigger.
The 2016 premiership player departed a second AFL club - the first being the Western Bulldogs - with a sour taste in his mouth.
Round 19 vs Essendon, Marvel Stadium
Hawthorn
A premiership Eagle that went back on his word.
Barrass was a contracted defender at the WA club but sought a move for a range of reasons.
One would definitely be to a club in the premiership window, but that won't stop the West Coast fans raining down their anger on him.
Round 7 vs West Coast, Marvel Stadium
The Saints believe they were very close to keeping Battle, who ultimately decided that the Hawks were a better fit.
Compensation of Pick 8 has St Kilda laughing, but there's no doubt they would've liked to have kept the swingman.
Round 17 vs St Kilda, Marvel Stadium
Melbourne
A journeyman who has now entered his fourth set of new doors, holding previous stints at North Melbourne, the Western Bulldogs and St Kilda.
Likely to feature prominently in the VFL, but when called upon, Campbell can play a role.
Round 12 vs St Kilda, Traeger Park
Round 20 vs St Kilda, Marvel Stadiumย
Sharp struggled to crack into the stacked Brisbane side and saw an opportunity to extend his AFL career.
The Demons identified a need to bolster its outside run game, which the 21-year-old suits.
Round 10 vs Brisbane, Gabba
North Melbourne
He was a West Coast champion who did as much as he could for the club.
But with Jake Waterman and Oscar Allen taking the key positions up forward, Darling wasn't needed as much, despite featuring more often than not in 2024.
The Kangaroos lured him with a longer deal and the concept of helping steer the young group in the right direction.
Round 13 vs West Coast, Hands Oval
Luke Parker and Jacob Konstanty
A duo from Sydney made the trip south to North Melbourne.
Luke Parker obviously felt the time was right for a new challenge, albeit so close to securing another premiership.
Like Darling, Parker is seen as a leadership figure to help set standards at Arden Street but should receive a glowing reception from the Swans.
As for Konstanty, the small forward didn't debut, and the lure of more opportunities in a young squad was enough to push the deal through.
Round 4 vs Sydney, Marvel Stadium
Round 19 vs Sydney, SCG
You can't mistake Daniel for seeking a trade despite having multiple years on his contract remaining.
A premiership and All-Australian with the Bulldogs, the utility found himself playing as the sub often or worse, in the VFL.
Hitting his prime, Daniel wanted consistent senior opportunities and will find that at North Melbourne.
Round 17 vs Western Bulldogs, Marvel Stadium
Round 1 vs Western Bulldogs, Marvel Stadium
Port Adelaide
The Suns let two players walk to the Power that weren't seen as permanent fixtures in Damien Hardwick's line-up.
Atkins was seen three times for Gold Coast in 2024, whilst Lukosius was dropped to the VFL late in the year.
The pair clearly have talent, but Hardwick obviously saw others ahead of them, especially with the Academy haul set for the next two drafts.
Round 24 vs Gold Coast, Adelaide Oval
The crafty small forward had two clubs coming hard for him despite only playing nine AFL games.
Richards quickly showed off his football smarts and clean disposal that helped the Pies score.
But a big offer from the Power saw the 24-year-old's head turn.
At Collingwood, Richards was down toward the bottom of the small forward totem pole, but the script will flip when he walks into Alberton.
Round 1 vs Collingwood, MCG
St Kilda
Another premiership Bulldog who deserved AFL minutes.
Macrae joins St Kilda to help bolster their ball-winning abilities in the midfield as the club looks to find the next star.
Like Daniel, Macrae was much-loved by the Western Bulldogs fans, and it will be strange to see him in different colours.
Round 14 vs Western Bulldogs, Marvel Stadium
Carroll showed plenty in the back half of the 2024 season but wasn't seen as the future of Carlton.
The Western Australian fielded interest from West Coast but ultimately remained in Victoria.
A handy pick-up for the Saints.
Round 9 vs Carlton, MCG
West Coast
A Tigers premiership duo that wanted to get out of the Melbourne bubble or return closer to family.
No Richmond fan can bemuse Baker and Graham's decision, especially since they left a wooden spoon side to a struggling club.
The pair contributed plenty to Punt Road and will always be seen as legends in the yellow and black.
Round 9 vs Richmond, MCG
Round 19 vs Richmond, Optus Stadiumย
Matt Owies
Realistically, a maligned small forward at Carlton who deserved a contract extension that never came.
Owies was essentially told to explore his options as list spots at the Blues were tight.
Hitting the sweet age of 27, the small forward joins West Coast with a chip on his shoulder and a point to prove after leaving the premiership contender.
Gather Round vs Carlton, Adelaide Oval
Round 14 vs Carlton, Optus Stadium
Western Bulldogs
Matt Kennedy
Another Blue who was told to explore his options.
Kennedy believes he is a true midfielder, but given Carlton's stacked list of rovers, he found himself playing in multiple positions.
The Bulldogs came calling late in the trade period, and after losing Macrae (St Kilda), Smith (Geelong) and Daniel (North Melbourne), a vacancy had opened up.
Round 3 vs Carlton, Marvel Stadiumย
