Former Essendon defender Conor McKenna is reportedly looking to return to Australia to play AFL in 2023 after stepping away from the game after the 2020 season to return to his family in Ireland.
The small defender struggled to break into Essendon's side in his final season, having only played six games after a 22-game season in 2019.
But the now 26-year-old has shown previously he can be a vital run-and-dash half back, having at one point in 2019 had a 35-disposal game along with plenty of mid-20 disposal performances.
With all this in mind, we examine five potential landing spots for Conor McKenna.
Having already been linked to McKenna, Geelong could be looking for some extra run and dash off the half-back flank for the future.
The Cats are also well-known for picking up experienced players - as we have seen with Luke Dahlhaus, Isaac Smith and more.
With Zach Tuohy reaching the back end of his career and no real standout small defender in the side, the now 26-year-old could find himself at the Cattery competing with the likes of Jed Bews and Mark O'Connor for a spot in their 22.
McKenna would also feel right at home at Geelong, with two Irishman in O'Connor and Tuohy already part of the defensive group at the club.
He possesses very similar traits to the 32-year-old Tuohy, with great pace and the ability to provide plenty of run-through defence and even occasionally hit the scoreboard.
The squad would not at all be an easy one for McKenna to break into, but could be a likely destination for a player looking to prove his worth at AFL level once again.
At the beginning of 2022, this wouldn't have even been a consideration with the Roos having plenty of running half-back options.
Now, it almost seems the most likely destination with North facing the possibility of not having a quality player in that position.
Jack Ziebell was moved out of defence early in the year by former coach John Noble and has not returned, whilst Aaron Hall was dropped for the last round of the season. The much-improved Bailey Scott has also been heavily linked with a move to Geelong.
Even Jaidyn Stephenson was trialled in defence before they figured out he does not have a defensive bone in his body.
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Bearing all that in mind, a player like Conor McKenna could be exactly what North Melbourne need.
He has plenty of experience, can accumulate touches and have an impact offensively. McKenna is also very clean with his disposal as well, having not gone under 75% disposal efficiency in his last full season in 2019.
The Roos would be a nice suitor for the Irishman in 2023.
Prior to McKenna's departure in 2020, the Lions had tried to lure him away from Essendon with a four year-deal in 2017, which was knocked back in favour of him staying at the Bombers.
Now, the Lions could be a potential suitor for him in 2023, with 32-year-old Daniel Rich starting to reach the back end of his career.
McKenna would provide healthy competition to youngsters James Madden and Noah Answerth, and could also be an ideal partner in the side to Keidean Coleman who has been a revelation this season.
Both Coleman and McKenna would bring brilliant pace and ball use to the Lions squad and could be a very dangerous duo in 2023.
The Lions could once again reaffirm their interest in the small defender and bring him to Brisbane next year.
Gold Coast could also be a possible destination for McKenna, who cannot seem to take a trick when it comes to small defenders.
The Suns have already declared they want to boost their defensive stocks next year, due to multiple serious injuries in the area.
Both Lachie Weller and Connor Budarick suffered ACL injuries midway through the year and will miss a fair chunk of the 2023 season, whilst Wil Powell also succumbed to a sickening broken ankle injury in June that ended his season.
Sean Lemmens is the only recognised small defender at the club that has had an injury-free season.
With this in mind, Conor McKenna almost seems like an ideal player for Stuart Dew to bring in, a player that provides plenty of run-and-dash off half-back which the club is crying out for.
The 26-year-old has plenty of experience as well which could be vital to a young Gold Coast backline.
McKenna could have a serious impact at a club like the Gold Coast suns in 2023.
The Saints could be on the search for another half-back in the off-season with rumours circling that Brad Hill could be on his way out of the club.
Hill and Jack Sinclair have been the two running half-backs for 2022, but have also had barely any competition for their positions throughout the year.
Ben Paton has struggled to get going after his first year back from a broken leg, whilst Hunter Clark has once again had an interrupted season due to injury.
The only other player the Saints could utilise at half-back next year is Ben Long, who had 27 touches and 17 marks off half-back in Round 23.
McKenna would bring a touch of experience to the Saints backline as well as some extra offensive threat from defence.
The Saints could be a potential destination for the Irishman in 2023.