Over 200 AFL players are still without deals for 2025, with all 18 clubs having at least one big name still unsigned beyond the current season and facing some level of uncertainty around their future.
From captains to premiership stalwarts, emerging young guns to stars in demand, there is a plethora of big names who have decisions to make over the coming months.
Some clubs have a heap of work to do in the list management space to retain key figures for the coming years, while others have been busy throughout the year so far to decrease their list of off-contract names.
Here we've named each club's biggest looming contract call ahead of the off-season.
The former Crows captain has played down suggestions he'd ever leave West Lakes for another club, with talks between Adelaide and their all-time leading goalkicker to ramp up over the coming weeks.
An extension for Walker, who has kicked the fourth most goals in Matthew Nicks' side this year, would see the veteran sharpshooter step into a 17th season with the Crows.
While maybe not bringing the same impact as recent seasons, which includes a 76-goal campaign in 2023, Walker remains an integral piece with his leadership and forward nous.
The Crows will also need to hold talks over the future of veteran defender Brodie Smith, while the likes of recent debutant Hugh Bond and midfielder Sam Berry should earn new deals.
The five-time best and fairest winner is a great chance to be running around the Lions' backline in 2026, let alone next year.
That could mean Zorko, who joined the league as a mature-aged recruit, could stunningly reach the 300-game mark in the next few seasons.
It'll be hard to see the in-form rebounding backman not on Brisbane's list next year given the role he'd moulded over the past couple of seasons.
Brisbane also has the likes of Lincoln McCarthy, Jarryd Lyons and Ryan Lester unsigned for 2025.
Matt Owies
One of the better-rated players across the competition who doesn't have a contract for 2025, with Owies sitting third at Princes Park this year for goals - behind Coleman Medal pairing Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay.
The small-medium forward market has shifted in recent months after Tyson Stengle and Will Hayward recommitted to their respective clubs, with any side keen for ground-level attacking assets likely to have Owies in their sights.
The Blues will do what they can to fend off any external interest given the club's inconsistent small forward options outside of Owies this season.
All eyes will be on the former Collingwood captain to see how far beyond a likely 400-game milestone he extends to.
Set to become the sixth player to reach the feat in a matter of weeks, Pendlebury could come close to Brent Harvey's all-time games record but would need to extend into the 2026 season to become No.1 overall.
But Pendlebury will hold a more short-term lens on his future, likely to pen a one-year extension and weigh up his future again in 12 months.
The Norm Smith Medal winner is showing no sign of slowing down and could be joined by Jeremy Howe and Steele Sidebottom in going around again next year.
Essendon's excitement machine is yet to re-sign at Tullamarine this late into the season, with a decision likely to come at the end of his 2024 campaign.
It's unknown if there's much external interest in Stringer, but a club that could stump up a long-term deal, should they see him worth one, might edge out the Bombers.
Essendon have a handful of other key pieces to re-sign, with the likes of Harry Jones and Nik Cox currently without deals also.
Midfielder Jye Caldwell is another obvious one but is nearing an agreed deal.
The Dockers have done well over the past 12 or so months to lock away most of their senior pieces for the future, with ruckman Sean Darcy re-signing along with Jordan Clark and Brandon Walker.
Banfield is an intriguing one given his status as a free agent, having been delisted, and thenre-listed, by the Dockers in the past, making him eligible to test the open market.
The 26-year-old is having his best season yet in purple, already booting a career-best 20 goals from his 17 games this year.
Fellow forward Matt Taberner is another interesting watch at Cockburn given he is currently out of favour and potentially in the sights of clubs looking to add height to their front thirds.
Geelong have a mountain of work on their hands in the coming months, with nine members of their 2022 premiership side off-contract and eligible for free agency in 2024.
There are perhaps none bigger than their skipper, who will weigh up whether to extend or call time on his career, with the former the more likely option.
Similar situations will take place with the likes of Tom Hawkins, Rhys Stanley, Zach Tuohy and Mitch Duncan, with Duncan the most likely to earn a new deal.
The Cats have the likes of Jack Henry, Jake Kolodjashnij, Brandan Parfitt and Jed Bews in need of new deals also.
The Suns gun might have played his last game for the Queensland club already, with a season-ending shoulder injury placing Ainsworth on the sidelines for the remainder of the season.
The half-forward is one of the few remaining restricted free agents, with Essendon and Port Adelaide among the clubs said to be circling his services.
A move back to Victoria might be the biggest lure for the Morwell native, while Port Adelaide could have the bigger offer and equal claim to a premiership window.
The Suns will want to show their former Pick 4 selection that they're heading in the right direction under Damien Hardwick to convince Ainsworth to stay.
The GWS utility isn't short of reported suitors, with both SA clubs, Essendon and Hawthorn said to be keen on luring him out of Sydney's west.
But the Giants themselves remain a likely landing spot for Perryman, who can walk to the club of his choosing given his status as an unrestricted free agent.
Perryman can slot into several roles given his growth as a versatile asset, able to play in defence, through midfield or at half-forward.
The Giants also have defender Isaac Cumming to sign a new deal, with the unsigned flanker also eligible for free agency in 2024.
There's been little mention of Jiath's uncertain future this year, with the Hawks defender placing a focus on his football after an injury-plagued past few seasons.
It's likely all parties will come to an eventual agreement by the end of the season, with Jiath remaining a key sling-shot piece in Sam Mitchell's ball movement plans across half-back and midfield.
The Hawks will also need to settle on deals for the likes of Denver Grainger-Barras and Conor Nash, while veterans Luke Breust, Jack Gunston and Chad Wingard are also still unsigned.
Much like the aforementioned Jiath, Langdon is yet to re-sign beyond 2024 despite being in the final few months of the season.
Langdon is an integral piece at Melbourne, holding down one wing as youngster Caleb Windsor grows on the other in the absence of veteran Lachie Hunter.
The outside ball-winner is seen as little chance to depart the Demons, but it wouldn't stop clubs from asking the question.
Melbourne also have some intriguing list calls to make before the end of the year, with Adam Tomlinson, Tom McDonald and Ben Brown also off-contract.
The Roos livewire is a fascinating watch, with North Melbourne's recent rise in form potentially swaying Zurhaar to commit to the club.
A restricted free agent, should Zurhaar depart on a worthy deal then the Roos would pocket a nice pick in return, likely after their second-round selection.
But Zurhaar's value at Arden Street is sure to surpass that, with his match-winning traits and experience almost unmatched at the Kangaroos.
It will be interesting to see how Zurhaar's future pans out, and which clubs come calling for the medium-sized forward.
The Power has several veteran players still unsigned for next season, with Boak joined by forwards Charlie Dixon and Jeremy Finlayson in needing to weigh up if they'll play on in 2024.
Finlayson can be expected to re-sign, but the same can't be said for Dixon.
Boak is less of a certainty, with his value as a mentor and leader unparalleled at Port Adelaide, while he is still offering a great service on-field.
A club like North Melbourne may seek out the champion midfielder's services, which would lead to an interesting call to be made by Boak at season's end.
One of the most discussed unsigned players across the competition but potentially not even the most talked about at Punt Road.
Dustin Martin's future is equally as intriguing, with the champion midfielder yet to decide whether to remain at Punt Road or depart after a decorated stint in the yellow and black.
Baker's future is just as clouded as he looks toward the second half of his career, with both West Coast and Fremantle looking to pry the hard-nosed utility back to his home state.
Richmond is equally as keen to have Baker on their list next year, with the gun Tiger's decision adding to those to come from Martin, Dion Prestia, Jack Graham and others.
The Saints stopper has quickly emerged as one of the most talked about potential off-season movers of 2024, with Hawthorn making an aggressive play for the unrestricted free agent.
Battle has developed into a reliable interceptor for the Saints, with his defensive traits reaching new heights under the tutelage of Ross Lyon.
But with a potentially more sizeable offer from Hawthorn - a club closer to a premiership than St Kilda - it may be hard for Battle, who was a Hawks fan, to turn down the opportunity to play under club great Sam Mitchell.
The Swans have enjoyed a year of re-signings like no other, having all of Errol Gulden, Logan McDonald, Will Hayward, James Rowbottom and Oliver Florent recommit to the club for the future.
The signing spree has left them with few players in need of new deals soon, with talks likely to be held after the season for those still unsigned.
Among that crop is former top 20 selection Jacob Konstanty, who is yet to get a look at AFL level since moving from Victoria at the end of 2022.
That may come as no surprise given the Swans' current best 23 and senior depth, but clubs could seek out Konstanty's services should he remain unsigned for long.
The story has often been that Duggan is nearing a new deal, and that tale seems to have started many months ago.
That's not to say they're not true, but there does seem to be some issue and delay in having the West Coast co-captain re-sign.
It will be interesting to see how much longer this decision takes, and if it comes after the club finally appoints its new coach.
Maybe 12 months ago it was seen as a sure thing that clubs will come and come hard for English if he were to be unsigned by near-August, but it seems any external suitors have cooled their interest.
West Coast is likely to place its list strategy elsewhere and wouldn't be looking to give up any draft capital to attain the All-Australian ruckman, while Fremantle are settled in the ruck department for the next decade.
No other club has emerged as a potential buyer, leaving the Bulldogs and their big man to be patient in extending their partnership.