As each passing trade period makes player movements more common, the domino effects become more apparent. Aside from creating almost an entire month of 'content' to discuss, the free agency period has begun to normalise trading.
With that comes the knock-on effect of excitement over new players, sadness over some who depart and the vacancy of certain numbers at each club that are highly prized. Each AFL club boasts a certain number or two that are renowned and coveted.
While this year's off-season saw plenty of movement, it also saw a host of modern-day greats retire from the game. As they depart the AFL world, they not only leave behind their legacies, but also some very famous jumper numbers.
We take a look at each club's most famous or iconic number that's available.
Jackson Hately's delisting has meant one of the club's most famous numbers is now up for grabs. The number 6, made iconic by high-flying legend Tony Modra, has also been worn by the likes of Jake Lever, Jack Gunston and Bryce Gibbs. One of the most exciting players of the '90s, 'Godra' kicked 440 goals from just 118 games at the Crows, seemingly taking Mark of the Year contenders every other week. Now vacant, the number is available for perhaps another special talent to excite the Adelaide faithful.
Unfortunately, almost all of the most famous and historic jumpers at Brisbane or from the Fitzroy era are taken, however the recent retirements of Daniel Rich and Nakia Cockatoo have left two famous jumpers from the Lions' early 2000s team available. The number 10 gets an honourable mention thanks to a sensational career from Marcus Ashcroft, as well as Rich's own great career. However, the nod goes to the number 12, made famous by one of the most gifted and polarising players of the past 25 years. Jason Akermanis thrilled crowds for years, winning three premierships and a Brownlow Medal wearing the 12, before it was worn with aplomb by Stefan Martin for 133 games.
The Blues have a line-ball call here, with two of the club's most famous numbers now available. The number 2, worn by legends Greg Williams and John Nicholls, is now available following Paddy Dow's trade to St Kilda, while Zac Fisher's trade to North Melbourne means the fabled number 25 at the Navy Blues is also up for grabs. Made famous by the great Alex Jasaulenko, the number was made even more iconic when worn by cult hero Brendan Fevola, one of the great forwards of the modern era. As two of the most iconic forwards the club has ever produced, both not only wore the 25 with distinction, but elevated it to near-mythical levels. As for the number 2, Nicholls is arguably Carlton's greatest ever, while not much more need be said of 'Diesel' Williams and his incredible contribution to the game.
As tempting as it is to opt for the number 42, in honour of the late great Darren Milane, the departure of Taylor Adams to Sydney has left the number 13 vacant, and with all the other iconic numbers taken, this presents as the most famous that is available, given the 42 is permanently retired. The 13 had been donned by Adams for almost a decade, following on from club legend Dale Thomas' heroics wearing it during the famous drawn Grand Final and Grand Final replay of 2010. Prior to that, notable club stalwarts Ray Gabelich and Alan Richardson both wore the number 13 for well over 100 games each.
There are few more famous Bombers than the great Tim Watson, and his number 32 hangs free for another to take up the mantle. Also worn by Barry Davis and Len Webster, the number was made iconic by Watson, the boy from Dimboola who made his debut at the age of just 15. What followed was a storied career, some 307 games, 335 goals, three premierships, a VFLPA MVP award, four best and fairests and induction into the AFL Hall of Fame. There are few more famous names at Tullamarine and whoever takes it up next will have big shoes to fill.
While the Dockers have only been in the AFL since the mid-90s, one of their greatest ever carved out such an impressive career that his number must surely now be sacred. David Mundy was brilliant over his 376-game career, endearing himself to fans all around the AFL with his incredible work rate, toughness, skill, fair play and humble nature. A cult hero for the purple haze, Mundy's legacy must now live on in the number 16 and be bestowed upon a special talent for a new chapter.
Geelong have a lot of their mythical numbers already taken so it simply must be the number 14, recently vacated by the incomparable Joel Selwood. As is often the case, after a legend finishes their career, particularly one as storied as Selwood's, the number is left vacant for a year or two until a worthy contender presents. In the case of Selwood, who won four premierships (one as captain), three best and fairest awards, and earned six All-Australian blazers, the shoes to fill are very large indeed.
It's obviously difficult to find one for the expansion clubs but perhaps the only one that stands out is the number 1, made most renowned while worn by Jaeger O'Meara, who exploded onto the scene as a teenager before his trade to Hawthorn. Prior to injury setbacks, O'Meara was explosively brilliant around stoppages, clean around the ground and dangerous around goal. Pearce Hanley briefly held the number until it was passed on to Mabior Chol. Chol's Hawthorn-bound departure leaves this jersey wide open for perhaps a high-end draft pick this year. Jed Walter or Ethan Read, anyone?
Phil Davis' retirement means the number 1 is available. As a dour defender and former captain who helped develop the culture at GWS into one of reverence, Davis will be remembered fondly at the Giants. Similarly to the Gold Coast, as an expansion club, there is not a lot of rich history to draw upon when searching for fabled numbers, however, as standard-setters go, Davis is up there and will no doubt go down as a club legend in the decades to come.
The Hawks are another club that has a couple of their most famous numbers available and while it's extremely tempting to opt for the number 19 here, given Jason Dunstall elevated it to iconic status before Jack Gunston wore it with aplomb, there can be no denying that the 23 is the big number up for grabs at Hawthorn right now. Made famous by the likes of Don Scott and Dermott Brereton, the number is mythical in the world of sport and particularly at Hawthorn, where it was again worn with distinction by Lance Franklin. Arguably the greatest forward the game has ever seen, Franklin's rise from spindly teenager to box office superstar enthralled and delighted, and had many young Hawks fans donning the number 23.
Having worn the number 6 for just a year, Brodie Grundy's departure leaves it available again at the Demons. Worn by legends Fred Fanning and Glenn Lovett, it was also donned by Jordan Lewis during his time at Melbourne before being handed to Luke Jackson, who starred in it during Melbourne's electrifying Grand Final victory in 2021. Famed numbers at historic clubs don't come around often so whoever the Demons opt for next will no doubt be worthy of such an honour.
Though number 22 is now available after Todd Goldstein's move to the Bombers, it's the number 7 that will likely be the most coveted at Arden Street this off-season. Now vacated following the retirement of inspirational skipper Jack Ziebell, who wore the number with distinction after Adam Simpson's brilliant career at North, whoever takes up the mantle will have big shoes to fill. Also worn by Jock Spencer, who kicked 475 goals, the number 7 at the Kangaroos is one reserved for those deemed worthy.
It's tempting to go with the number 1 following the retirement of Tom Jonas, the number often worn by the club captain such as legends Matthew Primus and Domenic Cassisi. However, the nod goes to the number 7, made famous by legend Peter Burgoyne and champion clubman Brad Ebert. Two of South Australia's most famous names, the pair gave this number its aura and it now hangs available following Xavier Duursma's trade to Essendon. There is little doubt that there would already be multiple suitors looking to take up the mantle of number 7 at Alberton.
Richmond is another club with an impossible selection dilemma following the retirements of legendary duo Jack Riewoldt and Trent Cotchin. The numbers 8 and 9 are now free, both iconic in their own right. The 8 was made famous by high-flying superstar forward Michael Roach, which became a perfect fit for the similarly brilliant Riewoldt during his illustrious career. As for the 9, two of the club's greatest captains, Cotchin and Wayne Campbell, have worn it with distinction in the modern era. Outside of these four brilliant Tigers, there have been plenty of other club legends to wear either of these numbers as well. We're unable to separate them so we'll let you decide.
With so many departures from the Saints this year, a host of legendary numbers are available at the club, none more so than arguably the club's most famous number. Honourable mentions have to go to the number 1, now vacated by Nick Coffield and made famous by the late great Trevor Barker, the number 2 worn by icon Danny Frawley, and the number 23, worn by towers Stewart Loewe and Justin Koschitzke. However, following Jade Gresham leaving the club, the fabled number 4 is now available and gets the nod. Made famous by premiership legends Darrel Baldock and Barry Breen (who wore it late in his career), the number became even more iconic when donned by perhaps the most famous of them all, Tony Lockett. The legend kicked 898 goals wearing it before his move to Sydney and was inherited by Andrew Thompson, who performed admirably in it across 221 games.
The Swans present an impossible selection dilemma, as three numbers worn by greats of the game are now free after this season. With Buddy Franklin's retirement, the number 23, also worn by Matthew Nicks, stands available, as does the number 3 that was worn by Dylan Stephens prior to his trade to North Melbourne and made famous by club legend Jarrad McVeigh. Finally, the number 12, worn so admirably by former captain and club icon Josh Kennedy is still up for grabs. The youngsters drafted to the Swans this year have some big shoes to fill should they find themselves donning any of these numbers and we can't decide so will stay on the fence with this one.
With the retirements this year of some Eagles royalty, some of the club's most famous numbers are available. Honourable mentions have to go to the 25, made famous by games record-holder Shannon Hurn, and the number 13 worn with distinction by Luke Shuey, these are two numbers that cannot be split. The retirement of Nic Naitanui has seen the mythical number 9 become available. Having been worn by both Naitanui and Ben Cousins, there are few more revered digits at West Coast. The one that comes close, if not matches it, is the number 17, which has been worn by both Josh Kennedy and Guy McKenna, two of the greatest Eagles of all time. We can't split these two, we'll leave it to you to decide.
The most famous of numbers at the Western Bulldogs is the number 3, with the number 7 not far behind, but both are currently occupied, as are most of their other prestigious numbers. The best available at the moment is probably the number 17 following Josh Bruce's retirement. The number once worn by Nathan Brown as a young prodigy and inherited by Adam Cooney, who won a Brownlow Medal wearing it, is now available for this year's draft crop. With the Bulldogs expected to take a pick inside the top five, there's every chance this number won't stay free for long.