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.ย
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.ย
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.ย
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.ย
So, without further ado, let's explore the final six teams and their interesting off-contract assets.ย
3. St Kilda
Jade Gresham
Gresham's restricted free agent status has been a hot topic as he continues to ponder his footballing future post-2023. The longer the 25-year-old livewire remains unsigned, the more his ties to Carlton may be more than just smoke and mirrors.ย
Gresham's 17.3 disposals per game rate as elite among forwards, according to AFL.com.au, while his 3.7 marks and 3.2 tackles are above average in comparison to AFL forwards.ย
Forward
Disposals
Marks
Goals
Outside of the speculation surrounding Gresham, though, there's a triplet of fringe Saints whose Moorabbin futures are somewhat cloudy, to say the least.ย
Jack Bytel
Bytel is one of numerous fringe Saints who have shown glimpses of serious promise across their short careers. However, the 23-year-old hasn't proven an ability to solidify a spot in St Kilda's best 23.ย
While injuries have played a part in derailing the early portion of his career, form has also represented an obstacle for the midfielder, who has played just 21 AFL games across five seasons since being drafted in 2018.ย
Bytel has played just six senior games for Ross Lyon's Saints this season โ four of which came as the tactical substitute โ managing a measly average of 7.8 disposals and 1.8 tackles. Through two full games, the onballer crafted a mean of 13.5 possessions and 3.5 tackles.ย
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
Simply put, is he good enough at senior level to warrant another contract, or โ a non-free-agent this year โ is he destined to be a part of this year's delisted free agent crop?
Nick Coffield
After he was selected among the top ten picks at the 2017 National Draft, Coffield immediately showed promise in his rookie season at half-back, notching ten games in 2018.ย
However, injuries have played a significant role in hindering his career progress, appearing in just eight games the following year in 2019.ย
Coffield bounced back during 2020's COVID-impacted campaign, playing in almost all of St Kilda's outings as the Saints mounted a finals push, and followed up that encouraging progress with another 16 senior games in 2021. However, Round 23, 2021 represents the most recent AFL game Coffield has partaken in after suffering an ACL rupture last pre-season, causing the dashing defender to miss the entirety of the 2022 season.ย
While the devastation of his knee reconstruction has been put in the rearview, Coffield is now plagued by a calf issue that has remained since the pre-season period.ย
When on the field for the Saints, though, Coffield's talent is undeniable. However, not having played competitive football since 2021, combined with the fact his contract is set to expire at the end of this year, the 23-year-old's St Kilda future is murky.ย
Tom Highmore
Highmore was mature-aged when he was drafted by St Kilda in 2020, turning a seasoned 23 at the beginning of his rookie campaign in 2021.ย
A player of a similar mould to Coffield, Highmore can play tall or small and rebound dangerously from defensive 50, however, he hasn't been afforded much senior opportunity at Moorabbin.ย
Highmore managed to play 13 games in that aforementioned rookie season, however, followed that up with just three senior outings last year, and none to date in 2023.ย
Out of contract and 26 years old at the start of next season, the defending Highmore's inability to break into Lyon's side could spell peril for the South Adelaide product.ย
If not offered a new deal by list boss Stephen Silvagni and Co, would the Crows, for example, consider acquiring Highmore as a delisted free agent for the purpose of defensive depth?
Adelaide boasts emerging youngsters Max Michalanney and Josh Worrell as its preferred combination of mid-sized stoppers, with taller interceptors Nick Murray and Mitchell Hinge firmly entrenched in Matthew Nicks' back six, so would they look to Highmore as a mature presence in case of injury or form slumps? The Crows' tall defence has suffered from injuries during the latter portion of this season.ย
Time will tell, but Highmore's stagnant Moorabbin tenure may result in limited interest from rival clubs.ย
