It’s on.
The AFL free agency period is open and 17 clubs start the official process of how they can improve the ladder position they finished 2020 in.
AFL premierships are not won on game day or at training, they are won now. Premierships are won in the next two months. Free agency, trade week and on draft night are where the foundations for any premiership team are laid.
Sure, coaching, fitness, club culture and luck all play a part, but players win premierships and now is the opportunity to capitalise on that.
Each club has vital questions that they must answer this off-season. What questions are confronting each team right now?
Adelaide
How do they improve on three wins?
With the departures of Brad Crouch, Kyle Hartigan and the uncertainty over David Mackay, the playing list is weaker than the side that could only manage three wins and the worst season in club history. Sure, a host of draft picks will help in three of four years, but a repeat of this year’s on field performance will be unacceptable.
Brisbane
Will Joe cost them Hugh and Cam?
At some point Brisbane is going to run out of money. Joe Daniher is coming in on $700,000, Lachie Neale earns $800,000, Dayne Zorko, Harris Andrews and Eric Hipwood are all on big money. Lots of clubs would be circling out-of-contract youngsters Cam Rayner and Hugh McCluggage.
Carlton
How will you support Cripps?
The biggest area that Carlton needs to bolster is its midfield. Nothing I’m reading gives me confidence that Carlton is going to address that in this off-season.
Collingwood
Are you embarrassed by the way you’re treating Adam Treloar?
The Magpies steadfastly stood by vice-captain Steele Sidebottom when he wrote himself off and embarrassed the club by breaking COVID protocols, yet they want to move on Adam Treloar because his partner is going to be living interstate for a short period? This gets messier by the day.
Essendon
Who kicks the goals?
Joe Daniher and Orazio Fantasia are proven goal kickers, both won’t be at the club next year. Who on the list can kick 40 plus goals next season?
Fremantle
Can you rely on Taberner and Lobb?
Fremantle has been trying to recruit a key forward for about 10 years and in 2018 they finally landed one in Jesse Hogan. After only two years and repeated off-field indiscretions and injuries the club is moving him out. Matt Taberner had a great year as a key forward, but can he and Rory Lobb be the long term options the Dockers rely on?
Geelong
How does the Jeremy Cameron deal get done?
GWS wants players, but Geelong doesn’t want to let anyone go? I can’t foresee how this deal gets done in a hurry.
Gold Coast
Can you keep the kids?
It has been good news so far with young guns Rowell, Anderson, Rankine, Lukosius, and Ben King all committing for a longer term than the mandatory two-year contract that all draftees are required to sign. However, if the club can’t push towards finals soon, the other clubs will start knocking, if they haven’t already.
GWS Giants
Does the pressure on Leon Cameron influence list decisions?
Every coach now has only a six-month pay-out clause in their contracts. GWS coach Leon Cameron needs early wins and to do that he needs players. It is no wonder the Giants have been linked to Fremantle forward Jesse Hogan.
Hawthorn
Where are they at?
Someone needs to inform Hawthorn supporters of where the club believes they are at. The addition of Kyle Hartigan, at 28 years of age, says to me that the Hawks think they are a shot at finals next year. I think that is a delusional belief.
Melbourne
What is a pass mark next year?
With the playing list set to be bolstered again this off-season the squad wants for nothing. Winning a final is the minimum expectation for the disappointing Demons.
North Melbourne
Who is the next coach and captain?
A new coach is coming, there has been a mass exodus of players and assistant coaches … is it time for a new captain? Matthew Lloyd thinks it is time for Jack Ziebell to hand over the baton. Problem remains, there isn’t an obvious candidate to take over.
Port Adelaide
Does Rozee play midfield?
Boak, Rockliff and Gray are well into their thirties and with Fantasia coming in, it should mean Rozee and Butters give the Power a much-needed midfield speed injection.
Richmond
How do they stay hungry?
Back-to-back premierships are extremely rare for a reason, let alone three in three years. How does the club keep a group that has achieved so much motivated for more?
St Kilda
Why Brad Crouch?
St Kilda has erred by jumping at the first midfielder that became available. Taranto, Oliver, Cripps, Bontempelli, McCluggage and Merrett are all out of contract next season and are better options had the Saints shown some patience.
Sydney
Does Buddy have 30 good games left in him?
If the answer is yes, the Swans could do some real damage in the next two seasons. Despite finishing 16th this year, I love where Sydney is at.
Western Bulldogs
What if Josh wants out?
When a player requests a trade from a club, rarely do they end up staying, regardless of whether they have a contract or not. The Western Bulldogs could feasibly upgrade Josh Dunkley for Adam Treloar without it compromising their draft position or salary cap. It is worth exploring.
West Coast
Did they miss their window?
Hurn, Shuey, Kennedy, Nic Nat, McGovern and Gaff are all nearing 30 or over and a lot of its key players are banged up and have missed big junks of football through injury. The Eagles sold the farm for Tim Kelly which means they don’t have great draft hand in the coming years. Has the premiership window passed them by?