Having been only one of three Blues to play every game in 2024, midfielder Matthew Kennedy would've been shocked to hear Carlton wave him away to find a new home in 2025, ending his tenure at seven years in the navy Blue.
While Carlton are rife with midfield talent at their disposal, Kennedy adds a quality layer of midfield depth to any side seeking it, with a touch of forward craft to boot.
Taken with pick 13 back in the 2015 National Draft, Kennedy's breakout campaign didn't come until 2022, when he averaged nearly 25 disposals across 17 games as one of the primary options behind Patrick Cripps and Sam Walsh in the Blues' midfield brigade.
He has since fallen out in favour of Adam Cerra and George Hewett, but will likely find offers to play a similar role somewhere else.
We'll look at four clubs who could look to pounce on the out-of-favour Blue.
The Pies clearly need more young talent as their number one priority, but could absolutely benefit from a 27-year-old inside bull to take the load off Nick Daicos at stoppages.
Scott Pendlebury is on limited time, Tom Mitchell is well past his prime and Jordan De Goey cannot be relied on for a full season, leaving the Pies somewhat depleted through the middle.
They've got Daicos and Jack Crisp as their mainstays, Pat Lipinski primarily forward, while Fin Macrae, Lachie Sullivan, Jack Bytel and other youngsters remain unproven.
If the Pies wish to climb back into contention soon, they'll need more rock solid depth and stability in the centre, which Matt Kennedy could provide.
A fall from grace like never before saw Melbourne depleted through the midfield for much of 2024; losing James Jordon and James Harmes to other clubs, Angus Brayshaw to retirement and Christian Petracca to a horrifying injury.
In addition, Clayton Oliver looks like a shell of himself and rising on-baller Tom Sparrow unfortunately regressed in 2024.
Trent Rivers looks like a valuable midfield find, but the Demons need more bang for Max Gawn's elite tap-work.
Kennedy may thrive as an extra first-possession winner behind Jack Viney, feeding the likes of Rivers and Petracca on the outside, and providing enough depth for Petracca to roam forward and hit the scoreboard more often.
It seems St Kilda will be successful in their pursuit of Jack Macrae, with the 30-year-old opting for Moorabbin as his landing spot of choice.
But with veteran on ballers Seb Ross and potentially Brad Crouch being shown the door, there is room for more midfield depth at St Kilda.
The club would hope to field a starting three of Jack Steele, Jack Macrae and Mattaes Phillipou for Round one of 2025, while Marcus Windhager, Paddy Dow and Hugo Garcia wait on the wings.
Kennedy would provide a healthy competition for spots, and a mature body for Ross Lyon to deploy against the stronger midfield brigades of the competition.