The trade and free agency period has come and gone as AFL lists begin to take shape for 2026.
So which players are eligible for free agency next year?
It’s another star-studded crop headlined by the likes of Port Adelaide’s Zak Butters, Brisbane’s Zac Bailey, Carlton’s Sam Walsh and Gold Coast’s Ben King.
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Butters would have to be the most in-demand 2026 free agent. The star midfielder’s future has already been a talking point throughout this season amid links to his home state of Victoria.
Given the Power have the ability to match any offer he receives and the huge price Charlie Curnow commanded in a trade, you wonder what sort of haul it’d require to get Butters.
It might’ve ruled out a club like Geelong had it gone chips-in on Curnow and surrendered future assets.
There’s perhaps no player that’s increased his value more in recent months than two-time premiership Lion and first-time All-Australian Bailey.
Sam Walsh, Zak Butters and Zac Bailey headline the 2026 free agency classSource: FOX SPORTS
One of Brisbane’s best players in the grand final win over Geelong to finish third in Norm Smith Medal voting, the South Australian is set to draw massive offers.
Bailey has previously signed contract extensions in the off-season, so Brisbane will hope to lock away the 26-year old over the summer.
Fellow Lion, Lachie Neale, will also be eligible for free agency for the first time in his career after being traded from Fremantle.
Walsh might be the Blues’ captain in 2026, but clubs are already eyeing the gun on-baller and former Geelong Falcon.
It comes after a busy trade period at Carlton including Curnow getting dealt to Sydney, with the new-look Blues shaping as one of the most fascinating teams in 2026.
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Gold Coast spearhead King is another intriguing name to watch as Victorian clubs will look to lure the goalkicker home.
King, who signed a two-year extension with the Suns early in 2024, has already been linked to Collingwood.
It comes during the most exciting period in Gold Coast’s history, coming off its first finals campaign and securing Christian Petracca during the trade period.
Other key forwards set to hit the market include Hawthorn’s Mitch Lewis, Fremantle’s Patrick Voss and Sydney’s Joel Amartey.
Giants skipper Toby Greene, Richmond captain Toby Nankervis and triple premiership Tiger Nick Vlastuin can also become free agents.
Melbourne is set to have the most free agents of any club with nine including Christian Salem, Steven May and Bayley Fritsch.
Check out every club’s current list of 2026 free agents below.
ADELAIDE
Jordon Butts
James Borlase
Mitch Hinge
Chayce Jones
Rory Laird
Lachie Sholl
Taylor Walker
BRISBANE
Noah Answerth
Zac Bailey
Darcy Gardiner
Ryan Lester
Lachie Neale
Dayne Zorko
CARLTON
Nick Haynes
Nic Newman
Sam Walsh
Zac Williams
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COLLINGWOOD
Jack Crisp
Jeremy Howe
Tim Membrey
Scott Pendlebury
Steele Sidebottom
ESSENDON
Jade Gresham
Matt Guelfi
Liam McMahon
Jaxon Prior
FREMANTLE
Bailey Banfield
Oscar McDonald
Sam Sturt
Sam Switkowski
Patrick Voss
Corey Wagner
GEELONG
Mark Blicavs
Patrick Dangerfield
Jake Kolodjashnij
Jack Martin
Mark O’Connor
Rhys Stanley
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GOLD COAST
Oscar Adams
Caleb Graham
Ben King
Lachie Weller
Jarrod Witts
GWS
Kieren Briggs
Stephen Coniglio
Toby Greene
HAWTHORN
Jack Gunston
Jarman Impey
Mitch Lewis
Harry Morrison
Ned Reeves
MELBOURNE
Tom Campbell
Kade Chandler
Jai Culley
Bayley Fritsch
Steven May
Tom McDonald
Jake Melksham
Christian Salem
Tom Sparrow
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NORTH MELBOURNE
Aidan Corr
Luke McDonald
Toby Pink
Bailey Scott
PORT ADELAIDE
Zak Butters
Darcy Byrne-Jones
Ollie Wines
RICHMOND
Nathan Broad
Tom Lynch
Ben Miller
Toby Nankervis
Dion Prestia
Jack Ross
Nick Vlastuin
ST KILDA
Jack Carroll
Liam Stocker
SYDNEY
Joel Amartey
Harry Cunningham
Joel Hamling
Justin McInerney
WEST COAST
Tom Cole
Matt Flynn
Bailey Williams
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Lachie Bramble
Ryan Gardner
Buku Khamis
Tom Liberatore
Lachie McNeil
Rhylee West