The AFL’s silly season is upon us, and it officially kicks off on Friday when free agency opens.
asserted
agency → kick → Friday
Heavyweight deals involving restricted free agents Zak Butters and Ben King have been a key point of discussion, while several stars, including dual Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale and Greater Western Sydney captain Toby Greene, are unrestricted free agents, meaning they have an easier path to a new home.
Let’s look at where things sit at your club.
Restricted free agents
GOLD COAST
Ben King
asserted
things → involve → club
The gun full-forward has told the Suns he is leaving and intends to join Hawthorn on a mammoth deal, which industry insiders say could stretch over seven years and be worth more than $9 million.
uncertain
insiders → tell → years
Just how this deal is reached, in terms of whether the Suns opt to match the Hawks’ offer and force a trade, remains one of the more fascinating aspects of the trade period, particularly as it could impact the draft selections the Hawks will need to secure Essendon’s Zach Merrett.
uncertain
Hawks → reach → Merrett
The AFL is keeping a close eye on this deal.
asserted
AFL → keep → deal
Told the Power he would leave and later nominated the Western Bulldogs as his club of choice on what industry insiders say is a monster nine-year deal worth $18 million.
asserted
insiders → tell → choice
“Zak Butters has informed the Western Bulldogs of his desire to join the club,” the Bulldogs said in a statement in September.
asserted
Bulldogs → inform → September
“The club will work with Port Adelaide to facilitate a suitable outcome during the upcoming player movement period.”
asserted
club → work → period
Just how this deal is structured also remains a point of debate, for if the Power let Butters walk, they would only receive pick five as an AFL free agency compensation pick, which they consider insufficient.
asserted
they → structure → pick
Therefore, a trade could be their best option, potentially seeking up to three first-round selections.
uncertain
trade → seek → selections
Butts is headed to the Western Bulldogs on what insiders say will be a five-year contract after 94 games with the Crows.
asserted
insiders → head → Crows
It could hasten Rory Lobb’s departure from the Whitten Oval, potentially to St Kilda, despite Lobb having a year remaining on his contract.
uncertain
Lobb → hasten → contract
Lachie Neale: Confirmed in the minutes after Saturday’s third-straight Lions premiership that he was leaving the club and then on Wednesday that he would join Collingwood.
asserted
he → confirm → Collingwood
Zac Williams: Has been cut by the Blues and is open to a new club.
asserted
Williams → cut → club
The co-JJ Liston Trophy winner is a delisted free agent.
asserted
winner → delist → ?
The big ruckman is expected to sign a four-year deal with Richmond.
asserted
ruckman → expect → Richmond
Stephen Coniglio: Has been offered a one-year contract extension.
asserted
Coniglio → offer → extension
The Giants captain is set to join the Cats on Friday on a three-year deal, where he hopes to claim an elusive premiership.
uncertain
he → set → premiership
Greene was a foundation player at the Giants, spending 15 seasons at the club, having debuted in 2012 and kicked 450 goals across 282 senior matches.
asserted
Greene → spend → matches
He won the club’s best and fairest award twice and is a three-time All-Australian.
asserted
He → win → award
The explosive forward dubbed “the Package” is looking for a fourth club.
asserted
forward → dub → club
RICHMOND
Nathan Broad: Has technically retired, but now says he is keen to play on elsewhere, particularly in his home state of Western Australia.
asserted
he → retire → Australia
While the Tigers said the midfielder retired, the triple-premiership star has left the door open to playing elsewhere next season.
asserted
star → say → door
SYDNEY
Joel Amartey: Will join Carlton on a five-year contract industry insiders say is worth up to $750,000 a season.
asserted
insiders → join → contract
The Blues hope he can be an ideal replacement for Charlie Curnow, the three-time Coleman medallist who has just finished his first year with the Swans.
asserted
who → hope → Swans
The Aporia
