While the 2023 season is approaching, there's always talk looking toward the end of the season and viewing what off-season moves could arise.
This year's free agency pool includes over 100 names, with several big names eligible to weigh up their futures, while other aren't seen likely to consider moves elsewhere for next season.
Players like Scott Pendlebury, Sam Docherty, Jack Silvagni and Tom Liberatore all meet the criteria for this list, but are very likely to remain at their respective clubs at season's end.
Without further ado, here are the AFL's most intriguing free agents of 2023...
Reports indicate that Sam Menegola is likely to leave the Cattery at the end of 2023 after an injury-hampered year saw him struggle to maintain a spot in Geelong's best 22 and ultimately miss out on the side's premiership glory.
At his best, Menegola has proven to be a near All-Australian talent, arguably being snubbed from the 2020 team. That year he averaged 21 disposals, six marks and kicked 16 goals in 21 shortened matches.
He has averaged more than 23 disposals on four occasions but will enter the 2023 season at 31 years old and unlikely to be replacing any names in a stacked Geelong team.
Teams likely to jump on him would be contenders seeking more midfield depth, or teams on the rise without much experience in their midfield.
Schultz enters the 2023 season as a 25-year-old tenacious pressure forward, a goalkicking threat and a valuable asset on Fremantle's list.
The Docker's have stocked up on small forwards in recent years and with rumours of Kysaiah Pickett seeking a move west, there is potential for other clubs to attempt to lure Schultz after a quality 2022 season where he averaged 13.5 disposals and three tackles while kicking 30 goals.
One potential suitor could be Melbourne with a move involving Pickett. Hawthorn may also look at him after showing interest previously in 2021.
Carlton, Gold Coast, North Melbourne or West Coast may also be seeking a quality small forward to add to their lists.
After being snubbed for Adelaide's captaincy, Tom Doedee could be destined for a change of scenery come 2024.
The 25-year-old has played 71 games with the club and has been acting captain on multiple occasions, replacing an injured Rory Sloane.
Doedee's best season to date was his 2018 debut year where he averaged 18 disposals, 5.5 marks and three tackles; all career highs. In recent years, however, he has displayed sufficient intercept ability and leadership qualities that would have many clubs eyeing him off at the end of 2023.
Some clubs who could benefit from a medium intercept defender for the future include Collingwood, North Melbourne, Port Adelaide, Richmond, West Coast, or the Bulldogs.
2022 was the year of the running half-back flanker and thus, Mason Redman's breakout season. He racked up 21 disposals and six marks a game out of defence for the Bombers, earning him a 4th-place running for Essendon's best & fairest award.
While Bomber fans will be optimistic about the future of their 25-year-old, with Redman giving no indication of leaving, it is a year of uncertainty with a new coach and unpredictable expectations. It is difficult to see whether Essendon will climb back into the eight or disappoint once again.
Redman's decision may rest on the apparent future of the club which could be foreshadowed this season.
If a move were to happen, the likely candidates could be a move back to his home state with Adelaide, or land at rising clubs Gold Coast or North Melbourne.
Surprisingly, 'Tex's last two seasons have seen him play some of his best footy at ages 31 & 32. He's kicked 95 goals in these last two years and hasn't yet displayed a downward trend.
As a side, it doesn't appear that Adelaide will be competing for premierships within the next few years, leaving Walker with the prospect of potentially wanting to chase a flag elsewhere.
Teams that are looking to compete for a premiership but lack the required key forward edge and reliable set shot kicking could benefit dramatically from adding Walker.
Collingwood in particular sticks out as a hand-in-glove fit given their lack of an elite key forward. Sydney and Richmond could also reap benefits from an ageing Tex with their presence in the premiership window.
Ben McKay has steadily developed into a quality full-back at North Melbourne, and while there is good reason to settle into an Alastair Clarkson-led rebuild at the Kangaroos, his current contract status remains up for grabs at the end of the year.
As a key defender for the Kangaroos, McKay has had no shortage of opportunity and has unfortunately suffered on a losing team since his debut in 2017. We'll see what impact the 'Clarko effect' has on Ben and his side but rumours are already swirling about who could benefit from adding McKay to their lineup.
St Kilda are among the club needing more key defensive talent, while Adelaide, Essendon, Hawthorn and Richmond may look to make a move for McKay.
Himmelberg has been GWS' number one key forward since the departure of Jeremy Cameron and while he has never been a household name during his time at the Giants, he has been a quality role-player capable of impacting games forward or back.
A late-season switch to a defensive role in 2022 saw Himmelberg put up some insane numbers as an intercept defender.
Three times he racked up at least 30 disposals and 10 marks in a match, including a 37-possession, 16-mark performance in a 49-point win over North Melbourne, proving himself as a genuine utility.
A majority of AFL teams would welcome a player like Himmelberg in their lineup but some notable fits include Adelaide, Collingwood, Essendon, Melbourne, North Melbourne, Richmond or St Kilda.
Gresham has developed into St Kilda's most explosive midfielder in recent years, adding some flare to the otherwise one-paced midfield led by Jack Steele and Brad Crouch.
At 25 years old, he will enter 2023 well in his prime and will be looking to perform in his contract year.
He is the classic 20-disposal, goal-a-game type player who is dangerous forward of centre but doesn't quite have the size of a Petracca or Bontempelli or the craft and speed of a Shai Bolton that could make him one of the scariest players in the league.
Still, he has the ability to impact games with his burst outside the contest and may have some sides throwing some relatively handsome contracts his wat at season's end. Some potential suitors include Gold Coast, Hawthorn, North Melbourne or Essendon.
After only playing 11 games in a rebuilding Adelaide side, some fans are quick to forget just how good Matt Crouch was from 2016-2020 and the fact that he is only 27 years old.
At his best, Crouch is one of the highest-accumulating midfielders in the competition. He had a three-year stretch of averaging more than 32 disposals per game where he earned an All-Australian blazer and a club best & fairest.
He was essentially kicked out of Adelaide's starting rotation while they rebuilt under Matthew Nicks and gave younger players some experience. He now seems destined for a move over the off-season if he remains on the fringes of their best side.
A number of clubs would give him a call but some sides that would particularly benefit from a Crouch acquisition include Collingwood, St Kilda, Essendon or Hawthorn.
Darcy Parish has grown into one of the best midfielders in the competition over the past two seasons, averaging 30.5 and 31.3 disposals respectively.
Questions have been asked about his ability to inflict scoreboard damage and 2023 could be the year he showcases this ability under new coach Brad Scott.
He has not yet put pen to paper for beyond 2023, leaving the door open for any club to jump on him if he wishes to leave. He would undoubtedly be the most sought-after free agent in the off-season and depending on his output this season, could earn a hefty contract.
Adelaide, Collingwood, Hawthorn, North Melbourne and St Kilda in particular would all be throwing whatever they can to lure Parish away from the Bombers.