Following the conclusion of another hectic, fast-finishing home and away season, it's time to prepare for finals football once again.
While eight teams' hopes of holding this year's premiership cup aloft remain alive, ten clubs' seasons are officially over after failing to qualify for September football.
Despite all the attention rightly being on the contenders, each bottom-ten side faces pertinent list management decisions that will shape its future.
Taking into account draft hands and off-contract commodities, we explore those impending decisions facing 2023's bottom ten.
Geelong
Indicative draft hand:ย 7, 81
Just the pair of selections for the Cats ahead of the National Draft, headlined by a top 10 selection they made sure to hold onto through last year's trade period.
After breaking their drought of high-end draft selections last year with the addition of local midfielder Jhye Clark, the Cats will be expected to hold onto their prized selection this year as well as they look toward the future.
Off-contract players:ย
Mitch Hardie,ย Tom Hawkins,ย Flynn Kroeger,ย Sam Menegola*, Oscar Murdoch,ย Esava Ratugolea,ย Osca Riccardi,ย Sam Simpson,ย Rhys Stanley,ย Zach Tuohy,ย Cooper Whyte
*Delisted
While no deal has been confirmed, Cats coach Chris Scott has revealed Tom Hawkins and Zach Tuohy will be at the club for 2024. Ruckman Rhys Stanley is also expected to go around for another year, while Geelong will delist Sam Menegola following his farewell game in Round 24.
The Cats have a number of inexperienced players facing uncertain futures, with uncapped quartet Mitch Hardie, Oscar Murdoch, Flynn Kroeger and Osca Riccardi all still unsigned, while Cooper Whyte has one game to his name across two seasons.
Defender Esava Ratugolea has a decision to make as to where he plans to play in 2024, with the Cats in a tug-of-war with Essendon, Port Adelaide and Hawthorn to land the high-flyer's signature.
Expect the Cats to re-sign Sam Simpson in a show of faith in the midfield-forward.
List decisions
The Cats have at least three list spots open following the retirements of Jonathon Ceglar and Isaac Smith, along with the departure of Sam Menegola. With more list calls to come and with just a pair of draft selections, the Kardinia Park club could be busy in looking to add to their list.
If Ratugolea is to seek a trade move, the Cats will be asking for a decent package in return for the man they rate so highly.
Essendon free agent Darcy Parish has been flagged as a player of interest for the Cats and wouldn't cost them any draft capital, while any move for contracted Bulldog Bailey Smith will come at a significant cost.
An experienced ruckman may also be on Geelong's wish list, with Chris Scott potentially keen on finding a player to bridge Stanley and recent debutant Toby Conway given the latter's need for further development.
