The AFL trade period is heating up, with clubs circling stars, veterans weighing up their futures, and young guns yet to commit beyond 2026. With the season's halfway mark approaching, there's a profusion of players still out of contract, and a small sector of players not listed that will be fighting to sign on, or in some cases, may retire.
This article provides an in-depth look at the trade and contract situation for all 18 AFL clubs, with a focus on key players and their potential movements.
Adelaide Crows
The Crows have been very active in their pursuit of rival superstars, but ultimately weren't successful in acquiring either Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera or Christian Petracca. They're now turning their attention to Zac Bailey, a restricted free agent, and Darcy Wilson, a young gun. The Crows are considered the early frontrunner for Bailey's services, but any acquisition will cost them a fortune.
Jordon Butts has made the most of his opportunities in the senior side, and has reportedly been offered a four-year deal. Luke Pedlar and Mitch Hinge are also key players for the Crows, with Hinge still having a lot of good footy ahead of him.
Brisbane Lions
The Lions' list is filled with talent, and they're chasing Zac Bailey, a restricted free agent. The 26-year-old spent his latter years at school in Adelaide, which is where links to the Crows and Power have emerged.
The Lions are also interested in Jordan Ridley, who had interest in joining Brisbane last off-season. Ryan Lester and Darragh Joyce have given no reason why they shouldn't continue their string of one-year contracts, while Dayne Zorko is still playing very handy football at 37 years old.
Carlton
The Blues have a monster number of players out of contract, and you can expect that to remain the case for at least a little while longer. Sam Walsh and Jagga Smith are new recruits, but no name seems to be off the table in the eyes of some media figures and pundits.
George Hewett is out of favour under Voss, and it will be fascinating to see whether things change for him in the last 15 rounds of this season.
Collingwood
The Magpies are in the race for Zak Butters, but not to the level of the Western Bulldogs or Geelong. They have also expressed interest in Ben King, a restricted free agent, but have recently withdrawn their pursuit.
Internally, the focus shifts towards which of their veterans play on for another year. Scott Pendlebury looks likely to, with more doubt hanging over Steele Sidebottom and Jeremy Howe.
Essendon
The Bombers have a decent number of players locked away until the end of 2027, but there are still 14 out-of-contract names worth keeping an eye on this season.
Jordan Ridley had interest in joining Brisbane last off-season, and the club is also interested in out-of-favour Crow Reilly O'Brien as a potential recruiting option.
Fremantle
The Dockers entered the 2026 trade period with their premiership-contending core firmly locked away for years to come, but still face decisions on more than a dozen out-of-contract players.
The biggest external story to monitor is the potential homecoming of three-time Richmond triple-premiership defender Nathan Broad, who has made it clear 2026 will be his last season at Punt Road.
Geelong Cats
The Cats have been linked to star names including Zak Butters, Ben King, and Toby Greene. They have a number of veteran stars and role players out of contract who will either hang up the boots or go around again in 2027.
Captain Patrick Dangerfield headlines that list as an unrestricted free agent, alongside Mark Blicavs, Jake Kolodjashnij, Jack Martin, and Rhys Stanley.
Gold Coast Suns
The Suns have a number of players out of contract, including Ben King, who is the free agent name on the lips of all Suns supporters right now.
The club is also interested in Ed Allan, while uncapped fourth-year Kangaroo Brayden George would also fit the Suns' mould if he can continue to stay fit.
GWS Giants
The Giants' list is one of the most settled in the competition when it comes to players out of contract this season.
Captain Toby Greene will attract interest from a number of clubs, including Geelong, with Clark reporting he currently has a three-year offer on the table from his club of 15 years.
Hawthorn
The Hawks have moved on from interest in Zak Butters, and are now targeting other players, including Bailey Humphrey and Ben King.
The club is also interested in Zach Merrett, who could have a second crack at luring the 30-year-old out of Essendon.
Melbourne
The Demons aren't a huge focus right now in May, but they will be desperate to retain out-of-contract South Australian duo Tommy Sparrow and Kade Chandler.
2021 premiership player Bayley Fritsch is a more high-profile name who is now expected to stay put in the red and blue.
North Melbourne
The Kangaroos are doing every bit of due diligence on young Saint Darcy Wilson, who will have absolutely zero shortage of interest from clubs across the country.
Back home, intrigue surrounding Zane Duursma will continue to bubble away, and the club is also interested in Essendon's push to trade for the forward in an attempt to unite him with brother Xavier.
Port Adelaide
The Power fans are hoping for positive updates in the Zak Butters space, but the pecking order for the superstar's services next year is: the Western Bulldogs, then Geelong, then daylight, and then Port.
The club will be desperate to re-sign star pre-agent Mitch Georgiades before the start of 2027.
Richmond
The Tigers have been vocal in their desire to stay in the race for Port Adelaide superstar Zak Butters, but right now they still remain a long shot for the midfielder's services.
They will, however, chase young GWS ruck Nick Madden intently.
St Kilda
The contract hysteria at Moorabbin is nowhere near what it has been in recent years, in a sign the Saints' list is relatively settled.
Young gun Darcy Wilson is a player rival clubs have been blowing up the phone over, with easily more than half the league interested in acquiring his services.
Sydney Swans
Things are very quiet at Sydney right now on the trade front, with arguably the least noise to report across the competition.
Internally, the club's sole focus for the next little while will continue to revolve around unrestricted free agent Joel Amartey.
West Coast Eagles
In a pleasant surprise, Andrew McQualter's side could attract genuine talent to the club this off-season.
The Eagles could also be a perfect fit for dual Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale, as he navigates parts of his personal life that may see him choose Perth as his preferred city.
Western Bulldogs
The Bulldogs are the outright leaders for Zak Butters' services, and would be a monster recruit for Luke Beveridge's midfield.
The club has a sneaky number of best-23 names out of contract, with Buku Khamis probably creating the most intrigue.
