The 2023 AFL season has well and truly ticked into the business end of proceedings, and with that, the on-field activity becomes increasingly captivating.
Discussion and debate about the state of umpiring, dangerous tackles and the MRO, 'wildcard' finals formats – and everything else of the like – has dominated the league's agenda to this point in the year.
However, as we edge excitedly closer to the flag-deciding matchups of this season, we also creep closer to the off-season; signalling free agency and trades!
As is the case every season, an array of appealing talent is potentially up for grabs.
In this three-part series, we're not necessarily analysing each club's biggest or most popular off-contract names. Rather, we've examined every squad's most intriguing crop of players whose contract situations provoke curiosity.
So, without further ado, let's explore the first six teams and their off-contract assets.
6. Fremantle
Liam Henry
Henry still finds himself without a contract for next season, as it is understood the electric wingman has put off contract negotiations until the end of the year.
The 21-year-old has battled inconsistency throughout the early years of his career since being selected by Fremantle with the No. 9 draft choice in 2019, with this season representing something of a 'prove it' campaign as he aims to earn a lucrative deal beyond 2023.
Competing with the likes of veteran James Aish and youngster Nathan O'Driscoll for a solidified spot on a wing, Henry has been forced to put his best foot forward, and he has done so during recent Fremantle outings against Essendon in Round 15 and the Western Bulldogs in Round 16.
Henry notched 32 disposals and eight marks in the Dockers' triumph over the Bombers and substantiated that with 33 possessions and six marks in the defeat to the Bulldogs.
The growing suspicion is that Henry will earn a respectable contract; it'll just be a matter of whether that's with Fremantle or elsewhere in 2024 and beyond.
Henry, while a product of Claremont, could seek more attractive playing opportunities this year, even if those aren't in Western Australia.
Nathan Wilson
Wilson's first season in Fremantle, 2018, represented the most games he's played for the Dockers in a season, with each successive campaign drumming up fewer appearances, including a mere six combined games over the last two years. Wilson played Fremantle's first four games of this season before suffering relegation to the WAFL's Peel Thunder side.
Wilson also stands as Fremantle's fourth-oldest listed player, younger only than veterans Nat Fyfe, Travis Colyer and Michael Walters.
There's little doubt that Hayden Young and Jordan Clark represent Fremantle's half-backline of the foreseeable future, while Heath Chapman and Brandon Walker, additionally, are established youngsters among coach Justin Longmuir's nimble back six who continue to keep Wilson at bay.
Fremantle's list management committee may view the 30-year-old as an afterthought, and potentially expendable come the year's end.
