The AFL free agency period will open on Friday morning, with several players lined up to move clubs on the first day.
Unrestricted and restricted free agents alike can move from Friday, with several already nominating their club of choice.
Unrestricted free agents can walk to their club of choice once the paperwork is lodged, however restricted free agents can only move if their current club doesn’t match a bit.
The free agency window closes on October 13.
See the deals most likely to get done on Friday below.
Matt Flynn
Unrestricted free agent – GWS to West Coast
Flynn has nominated West Coast in a trade request and as an unrestricted free agent, is free to join the Eagles once the paperwork is filed.
West Coast has confirmed the nomination but stopped short of declaring it would go through on Friday.
Nevertheless, Flynn’s agreement is of major importance to West Coast. Flynn, speaking to SEN WA’s Breakfast on Thursday, suggested he’d been pitched a dual role in the Eagles’ best 22 in sharing the duties with Bailey Williams.
Todd Goldstein
Unrestricted free agent – North Melbourne to Essendon
The Kangaroos veteran has played over 300 games for North Melbourne but is reportedly set to make a move at the age of 35.
The Age’s Michael Gleeson reported earlier this week that Goldstein had nominated Essendon in a trade request, while Jack Ziebell has confirmed the news on AFL Trade Radio.
Like Flynn, Goldstein doesn’t need North Melbourne’s permission and can move as soon as Essendon signs off on his new contract.
James Jordon
Unrestricted free agent – Melbourne to Sydney
Jordon is a rare case as a younger unrestricted free agent and holds his status because he was delisted by the Demons earlier in his career.
The 22-year-old made 17 AFL appearances in 2023, but six of them came as the starting substitute. A Victorian, he’s believed to move to the harbour city in search of greater opportunities.
The nomination was reported last week by AFL Media’s Cal Twomey but is yet to be confirmed by either the Swans or Melbourne.
Tom Doedee
Restricted free agent – Adelaide to Brisbane
It was widely reported on Wednesday afternoon that Doedee had chosen Brisbane over Collingwood and he could head to the Lions early in the player movement period.
Doedee is a restricted free agent and the Crows can match an offer for him. However, Adelaide is likely to receive a second round compensation pick if it does not match Brisbane’s offer.
The Crows changed their proposition to Doedee on the back of a second ACL injury earlier this year, while it’s understood Brisbane offered a longer contract.
Doedee likely won’t be fit to take the field until mid-2023.
Ben McKay
Restricted free agent – North Melbourne to Essendon
The Bombers won the race for McKay’s services two weeks ago, with AFL Media’s Cal Twomey the first to break the news.
North Melbourne did confirm in a club statement that McKay would explore his free agency options shortly after reports broke.
McKay’s movement is set to be guided by what deal Essendon offers the Roos defender and what compensation that then triggers.
If the deal offered to McKay is as lucrative as some reports suggest, it will hand North Melbourne tier one compensation and therefore Pick 3 in the 2023 National Draft.
If not, however, the Kangaroos may look to force a trade. It’s a player move that will have plenty of negotiations behind the scenes but if Essendon offers McKay the deal North Melbourne hopes, this will be one done early in the free agency period.
