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 โ and everything else of the like โ 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 year, 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 next six teams and their off-contract assets.
5. Melbourne
Michael Hibberd
Hibberd is Melbourne's elder statesman following the club's 2021 premiership triumph; currently the Demons' oldest listed player. His continued uncontracted status raises questions about his playing future.
The 33-year-old has played his last pair of games with Casey, as Christian Salem, Trent Rivers, Jake Bowey, and Judd McVee currently represent Simon Goodwin's preferred mix of rebounding defenders across half-back.
At this late stage in the season, is there a route back to the AFL level for Hibberd in time for the finals? It would seem most likely only an untimely injury for one of the aforementioned backmen presents a way back into Goodwin's best side for the veteran.
James Jordon
The contract choice of the versatile and fleet-footed Jordon would have to be at the top of Melbourne's list of retention priorities.
The 22-year-old, despite not having served the requisite amount of AFL seasons with Melbourne to conventionally qualify for free agency, finds himself an unrestricted free agent due to the fact he was technically delisted at the end of the 2020 season before re-signing with the Demons as a rookie at the beginning of 2021 pre-season.
The calculated manoeuvre means the 2021 premiership player, who has been in and out of Goodwin's side this year, can freely sign with whichever club he chooses come this year's dedicated signing period.
Due to his youthful age, the non-resistant nature of his contract situation, and the limited opportunity he's currently receiving at Melbourne, Jordon presents as one of the most attractive free agents this year.
Luke Dunstan
One of the hardly-discussed, curious contract circumstances in the AFL is Dunstan's.
The ex-Saint departed Moorabbin with enhanced opportunity front-of-mind, however, breaking into a premiership-winning side hasn't proven a simple task.
Matter of fact, Dunstan has appeared in only five senior games as a Demon across two seasons, all of which came in 2022.
A product of Woodville-West Torrens, would the 28-year-old seek a move home to SA? More pertinently, would one of Adelaide or Port Adelaide even be interested in acquiring his services? It's doubtful that the Power would want to tamper with its currently-thriving mix of midfielders. Pertaining to any sort of Crows intrigue, what would Dunstan provide at West Lakes that, say, Matt Crouch, who is on the outside looking in himself, couldn't?
Irrespective of whether it's to South Australia or elsewhere, Dunstan could be up for exchange once again at the cessation of the season.
