Star mids from Fremantle and Carlton top 2014's potential free agents
This story has been reproduced from afl.com.au. It does not necessarily represent the position of the Sydney Swans Football Club.
CARLTON and the Western Bulldogs are the clubs most vulnerable to free agency raids next year, each having seven prospective free agents on their lists.
After releasing a list of 2014's highest-profile free agents in June, AFL.com.au has compiled a more extensive list of next year's free agency pool.
The Blues set to become free agents at the end of next season include skipper Marc Murphy, 2006 No.1 draft pick Bryce Gibbs, 2013 best and fairest winner Kade Simpson and key defender Michael Jamison.
The Bulldogs' prospective free agents include 2013 All Australian ruckman Will Minson and injury-prone pair Shaun Higgins and Tom Williams.
Other big-name players able to explore free agency next year include Magpies Dane Swan and Ben Reid, Fremantle midfielder David Mundy, Melbourne key defender James Frawley, North Melbourne ruckman Todd Goldstein, Port Adelaide key forward Justin Westhoff and West Coast playmaker Shannon Hurn.
Hawthorn, Adelaide, Brisbane Lions and Melbourne look set to have the fewest free agents next year, with just two players from each club eligible.
But a number of the players on AFL.com.au's free agency list will be re-signed by the time the AFL releases its official list before the start of next season, with clubs already working feverishly to re-sign their star free agents.
2014 FREE AGENTS
The following is a preliminary list compiled by AFL.com.au of the players set to become free agents next year:
Select your club
ADELAIDE
Jason Porplyzia, Ben Rutten
AFL.com.au says: No major worries for the Crows. Porplyzia and Rutten were free agents this year and re-signed for 2014. Again, at the end of next season, both are likely to either re-sign or retire.
AFL.com.au says: A stress-free year ahead for the Lions. Brown will almost certainly call time on his stellar career at the end of next season, while McGrath could follow him into retirement, but if he plays on in 2015 should do so at the Lions.
Bryce Gibbs, Michael Jamison, Marc Murphy, Heath Scotland, Kade Simpson, Jarrad Waite, Andrew Walker
AFL.com.au says: Opposition teams will already be eyeing the Blues' smorgasbord of free agents, with Gibbs and Walker, in particular, likely to be heavily targeted. Skipper Murphy is going nowhere, while veterans Scotland, Simpson and Waite are extremely unlikely to leave at this late stage of their careers.
Bryce Gibbs is set to be hotly pursued by opposition clubs throughout next year. Picture: AFL Media
Tyson Goldsack, Nick Maxwell, Heritier Lumumba (formerly known as Harry O'Brien), Ben Reid, Dane Swan
AFL.com.au says: Swan and Reid are obvious opposition targets but the Pies have reportedly begun contract talks with both. Skipper Maxwell bleeds black and white, but Goldsack might appeal to clubs looking for a tall utility and Lumumba could decided he needs a fresh start after his reported issues with coach Nathan Buckley in 2013.
Dustin Fletcher, Heath Hocking, Leroy Jetta, Jason Winderlich
AFL.com.au says: Given his importance to the Bombers' midfield, Hocking, 26 next month, looms as a priority re-signing for Essendon. Jetta fell out of favour in 2013 playing just eight senior games and if he continues to struggle for senior opportunities next year could look to move on. Fletcher will probably retire, while Winderlich resisted free agency in 2013 and is unlikely to be tempted in 2014.
Paul Duffield, Garrick Ibbotson, David Mundy, Luke McPharlin, Matthew Pavlich, Aaron Sandilands
AFL.com.au says: The Dockers re-signed Ryan Crowley on Tuesday and will be aware Victorian clubs are likely to make aggressive plays for Mundy after his key role in Fremantle's stellar 2013 season. But the Dockers will take heart that the former Murray Bushranger has resisted the temptation to return home in the past. Ibbotson, 25, is a classy player and also likely to attract interest, but elder statesmen Pavlich, Sandilands and McPharlin will only leave Fremantle if they retire.
David Mundy has resisted the lure of a return to Victoria in the past. Will he do so again? Picture: AFL Media
AFL.com.au says: Geelong signalled a changing of the guard with the delistings of veterans Paul Chapman, Josh Hunt and James Podsiadly at the end of this season, but Johnson and Kelly remain important players and should play on at the Cattery beyond 2014. Enright will turn 33 at the end of next season, but is such a class act he could easily continue in 2015.
AFL.com.au says: After battling in vain to hang on to Lance Franklin throughout 2013, the Hawks look set for a far less stressful year with free agency in 2014. Former skipper Mitchell's body and form will dictate whether he plays on in 2015. The Hawks reportedly put Sewell up for trade in October, but the midfielder, who turns 30 in February, will earn a contract extension for 2015 if he satisfies a trigger clause next season.
AFL.com.au says: Melbourne's track record of hanging on to its free agents is not good, with Brent Moloney (Brisbane Lions), Jared Rivers (Geelong) and Colin Sylvia (Fremantle) leaving in the past two years. Key defender Frawley will be heavily courted by opposition teams and his decision at the end of next year could come down to whether the Dees' on-field fortunes improve under new coach Paul Roos.
The Demons will be desperate to retain James Frawley after a torrid couple of years. Picture: AFL Media
Leigh Adams, Michael Firrito, Todd Goldstein, Lachie Hansen, Brent Harvey
AFL.com.au says: North's priority re-signings will be Goldstein and Hansen. The Roos are already in talks with Goldstein, who told AFL.com.au recently he was confident of re-signing soon. Hansen's ability to play as a key defender or key forward will appeal to rival clubs, but he established himself as a key player in the Roos' backline in 2013.
Travis Boak, Dominic Cassisi, Kane Cornes, Tom Logan, Paul Stewart, Justin Westhoff
AFL.com.au says: With skipper Travis Boak close to re-signing, key forward Justin Westhoff will attract the most free agency interest. But the Power will back themselves to hang onto Westhoff, who has become one of their most valuable players.
AFL.com.au says: The Tigers are sitting pretty. Veterans Newman and King resisted free agency this year, both happy to re-sign for 2014. Edwards, 25, also seems unlikely to leave when the club appears on the verge of sustained success for the first time in decades.
Sam Fisher, Jarryn Geary, James Gwilt, Lenny Hayes, Clint Jones
AFL.com.au says: The Saints took skipper Nick Riewoldt and star midfielder Leigh Montagna out of next year's free agency pool, re-signing them last week. Fisher, 32 next July, was linked with Greater Western Sydney in October's trade period but his appeal could be limited by his age.
Sam Fisher's future is likely to remain a source of speculation throughout 2014. Picture: AFL Media
Adam Goodes, Nick Malceski, Ryan O'Keefe, Ted Richards, Lewis Roberts-Thomson, Nick Smith
AFL.com.au says: The Swans look well placed to continue their record of not losing a player to free agency. Four of the Swans' five free agents are premiership stalwarts who bleed red and white. Victorian Nick Smith will appeal to rival clubs in the market for a hard-nosed small defender.
Sam Butler, Dean Cox, Darren Glass, Shannon Hurn, Matt Rosa
AFL.com.au says: Hurn, 25, looms as the prime target for opposition clubs, with Adelaide and Port Adelaide almost certain to try and tempt him back to his home state. However, the defensive playmaker has been a member of the club's leadership group since late 2009 and will be hard to shift from Perth. Victorian Rosa, 27, could also appeal to clubs looking for a running midfielder. The Eagles re-signed prospective 2014 free agent Matt Priddis for an undisclosed term last week.
Matthew Boyd, Daniel Giansiracusa, Shaun Higgins, Will Minson, Dale Morris, Robert Murphy, Tom Williams
AFL.com.au says: The Bulldogs faced a big decision with Adam Cooney this year and must make an equally tough call on Higgins next year. Cooney overcame a debilitating knee injury to earn a two-year contract extension this year after an outstanding 2013 season. You suspect Higgins, 25, will also have to put his injury problems behind him to play on at the Bulldogs beyond next season. Last year's All Australian ruckman Will Minson will be a priority re-signing for the Bulldogs.
Will Minson could be among the most in-demand players with another good year. Picture: AFL Media
Go behind the scenes before, during, and after our incredible comeback win over Collingwood in Round 22.
01:27
"It's a dream come true" - Reid
Hear from Swans AFLW recruit Caitlin Reid as she speaks to us about her first few days at the club after being taken with pick #59.
10:28
The brutal final training session of 2024 | Inside Sydney
Go behind the scenes for our final training day of 2024, as the boys undergo a tough session in the Sydney heat followed by a surprise conditioning session at 98 gym.
01:36
New faces for our AFLW team
Hear from some of our newest AFLW recruits as we look forward to a strong 2025 season.
We extend our condolences to the family of Raymond Jones, who played a leading role in the club's longstanding partnership with QBE.
2024 Financial Result
Record crowds, record membership and strong on-field performance have combined to put the club in a positive financial position.
By the numbers: Players under John Longmire
Peter Blucher takes a look back at the standout players of John Longmire’s coaching tenure, after the club’s longest serving coach passed the baton to Dean Cox.
Hall of Fame Bio: Bernie Evans
As we reflect on the club's 150 year history, which began in South Melbourne in 1874 and then to the Harbour City in 1982, we are highlighting the greats in the Swans Hall of Fame.