The AFL has released a full list of 140 free agents for 2021, which currently includes 10 club captains.
The list includes stars from all clubs, with teams having a lot of work to do to re-sign their key players.
Notable names either restricted or unrestricted include:
Rory Laird, Matt Crouch, Tom Lynch (Adelaide), Taylor Walker, Daniel Rich, Mitch Robinson, Dayne Zorko, Patrick Cripps, Marc Murphy, Scott Pendlebury, Zach Merrett, Cale Hooker, Stephen Hill, Matt Taberner, Joel Selwood, Cam Guthrie, Jarrod Harbrow, Sam Day, Phil Davis, Josh Kelly, Luke Breust, Ben McEvoy, Max Gawn, Christian Salem, Robbie Tarrant, Jack Ziebell, Luke McDonald, Robbie Gray, Tom Rockliff, David Astbury, Shane Edwards, Dylan Grimes, Bachar Houli, Kamdyn McIntosh, Jack Riewoldt, Nick Vlastuin, Jack Billings, Tim Membrey, Jarryn Geary, Luke Parker, Josh Kennedy, Shannon Hurn, Dom Sheed, Marcus Bontempelli, Tom Liberatore and Mitch Wallis.
Kane Cornes has narrowed down the list to the 10 most in-demand free agents of 2021.
He left off the likes of Scott Pendlebury, Joel Selwood and Shannon Hurn as he can’t see them leaving given where they are in their respective careers.
10 – Luke Breust (Hawthorn)
“I’m a big Luke Breust fan. I’ve sat back and admired his work for a long time,” Cornes told SEN’s The Captain’s Run.
“Is he underrated? I think he might be a little bit underrated and I’ve got him at number 10.
“He’s getting up there in age I understand that, but he’s probably still got four or five years of good footy left in him and we know that the small forward position is one of the most in-demand positions in the game.
“Every club is trying to find a dangerous small forward who can apply pressure and Breust can do that.”
9 – Luke Parker (Sydney)
“I’m not sure he’s underrated anymore, I think he was at once, but the Sydney midfielder, he is a free agent this year.”
8 – Rory Laird (Adelaide)
“I’m a big Rory Laird fan at the Crows. He dominated across half-back, he’s an All-Australian and a best and fairest winner, he moved into the midfield in 2020 and did it exceptionally well.
“He’s 27 at the end of this year and will be in high demand, particularly if the Crows struggle and if he’s looking for some success that has eluded him through his career and is it likely that Adelaide will win a premiership in his time? Probably not.”
7 – Jack Billings (St Kilda)
“I was surprised that Billings is a free agent, but I’ve got him at number seven.”
6 – Zach Merrett (Essendon)
“Some would have Zach Merrett higher, but I’ve got him at number six.
“I did laugh at his re-inclusion into the leadership group at the Bombers after being dumped from the vice-captaincy last year.
“Well he’s back, surprise surprise, maybe to coincide with the fact that he’s out of contract and the Bombers are trying to keep him.”
5 – Max Gawn (Melbourne)
“Big Maxy Gawn can walk to any club he wants to at the end of the year.
“I’m not saying he will. Seems like he loves the Demons, but once again hasn’t had the success that he probably thought he would have by this point.
“He’s a terrific player and a terrific leader of that footy club, he’s at number five.”
4 – Josh Kelly (GWS)
“His form has been patchy, it must be said in the last few years, but I still rate him highly.
“Everyone’s looking for an inside-outside midfielder who has penetration with their leg and speed, so I’ve got him at four.”
3 – Dylan Grimes (Richmond)
“Dylan Grimes is the best defender in the game in my opinion. I have him at number three and he’s a free agent and the third most in-demand free agent for mine.”
2 – Patrick Cripps (Carlton)
“I think he’ll sign reasonably soon with Carlton, but at this stage he’s a free agent.”
1 – Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs)
“Similar age, similar abilities, but Marcus Bontempelli is the number one in demand free agent on the list at the moment and there’s some good players.”