In the 2025 trade and free agency period, 34 players found new homes for a raft of reasons.
But by the time the ball is thrown up in 2026, they'll be in new colours, and with that comes an immediate dislike.
Throughout next season, there'll be many dates and matchups circled on the calendar, but some will revolve around a reunion.
SEE MORE: All the Ins and Outs for YOUR club
So with that in mind, we take you through every time your club will face a former player in 2026...
Adelaide
The high-flying forward was a surprise move from the Kangaroos, completing a deadline day trade, joining the Crows.
Maley played seven games for North Melbourne as a rookie, but will be looking to learn from the likes of Taylor Walker, Riley Thilthorpe and Darcy Fogarty to further his career.
Round 10 vs North Melbourne, Adelaide Oval
Brisbane
The entertaining ruckman was one of the biggest movers in the off-season, exercising his free agency rights to depart Essendon.
Draper has faced many injury battles during his time at the Bombers, and will follow in the footsteps of former teammate and premiership player Joe Daniher, in need of a fresh start.
The two clubs also have a tense relationship, given Jordan Ridley explored a move to Queensland, but was ultimately held to his contract.
Round 8 vs Essendon,
It is very rare when a captain seeks a move away from his club, but the relationship was beyond repair, with the Lions cashing in on Allen's departure.
The key forward exercised his free agency rights, but will face his firmer side in front of a hostile Optus Stadium later in the year.
Round 19 vs West Coast, Optus Stadium
Carlton
Will Hayward and Oliver Florent
The former Swans duo won't have to wait long to walk through the gates of the SCG, with Carlton scheduled to play Sydney in Opening Round.
Hayward was included in the monster trade that sent Charlie Curnow to New South Wales, while Florent, albeit separate from the deal, still found his way to Ikon Park.
Hayward and Florent were excellent contributors for Sydney since 2017, but were moved on in a bid to land the two-time Coleman medallist.
Opening Round vs Sydney, SCG
The former Pick 4 saw the writing on the wall and realised there were greener pastures at Carlton, who have been on the lookout for a small forward for years.
Ainsworth was a great servant for the Suns, and helped carry the club through all the tumultuous years.
Round 20 vs Gold Coast, Marvel Stadium
The ruckman struggled to get his AFL career going at the Dockers, given he was behind Luke Jackson and Sean Darcy.
But a vacancy at Carlton was swooped on by Reidy, who will work in tandem with Marc Pittonet after Tom De Koning departed.
However, Reidy and Fremantle will reunite in the last round of the 2026 season, so their date will have to wait.
Round 7 vs Fremantle, Marvel Stadium
The Victorian was sold on a dream at Ikon Park, and a move to his home state helped inspire a deal to Carlton.
Chesser played 36 games for the Eagles following his first-round selection in 2021, but will be looking to forge a career in the navy blue from next year onwards.
Round 16 vs West Coast, Marvel Stadium
Collingwood
Buller will reacquaint himself with his former side in Round 10 at the SCG.
The key forward was persuaded by Collingwood's list management team that his future was in Victoria, with opportunities to lead the front half into the future a big factor in his decision.
The pursuit and subsequent acquisition of Charlie Curnow also furthered the decision.
Round 10 vs Sydney, SCG
Essendon
The classy left footer wanted a more prominent role in a senior side, and Essendon came knocking.
The Suns currently have a squeeze on which caused multiple players to seek new homes, including Fiorini.
He will head to a very familiar stadium in Round 6 to tackle Gold Coast.
Round 6 vs Gold Coast, People First Stadium
Fremantle
McVee won't have to wait long to face his former side, with a Round 2 match-up against Melbourne scheduled at Optus Stadium.
McVee developed into a handy running defender after being drafted by a rookie, but was quickly seen as a valuable commodity by the Dockers.
Round 2 vs Melbourne, Optus Stadium
Geelong
The ex-Hawk opted to head down the highway and join the Cats, a team he supported as a kid.
Worpel grew up just outside of Geelong, and exercised his free agency rights to wear the hoops in 2026, despite a lucrative deal to remain in the brown and gold.
But he'll face a baptism of fire when he battles with Hawthorn on the traditional Easter Monday clash in Round 4, which has historically produced fiery contests and close clashes.
Round 4 vs Hawthorn, MCG
Gold Coast
The 2021 Norm Smith medallist has a date with his former side in Round 4 at the MCG.
Petracca helped deliver the club a drought-breaking premiership, but a new challenge and fresh scenery at the Gold Coast were reason enough for a move.
The reception will be interesting given he was contracted for many more years, but ultimately saw the club yield three first-round selections via a trade.
Round 4 vs Melbourne, MCG
The former Pick 1 sat out the entire 2025 season due to personal reasons, and was moved on by the Bulldogs.
The Suns are willing to take a gamble on Ugle-Hagan in a bid to retrieve his best football.
But the troubled forward will reunite against the Bulldogs late in the season, that is if he can prove himself to Damien Hardwick that he is worthy of selection.
Round 19 vs Western Bulldogs, People First Stadium
GWS
The explosive exit the midfielder endured left a sour taste in he and Melbourne's mouth, but it won't be reviewed in front of Demons fans at the MCG.
Instead, the Giants and Melbourne will head to Darwin to play each other, potentially avoiding an interesting reception for the former contracted onballer.
Round 12 vs Melbourne, TIO Traeger Park Oval
Hawthorn
N/A
Melbourne
The premiership forward's departure was a tough pill to swallow, but he found himself across the road at Melbourne.
Mihocek was a much beloved Collingwood player, and when he has the football in hand during the King's Birthday clash, a salute should be in order.
Round 13 vs Collingwood, MCG
Jack Steele and Max Heath
The pair of former Saints will open their season in new colours against their old club, wearing the red and blue.
Steele was ultimately pushed out of St Kilda, with Melbourne quickly becoming the beneficiary, while Heath was deemed a potential Max Gawn successor.
Round 1 vs St Kilda, MCG
The speedy defender consistently found himself on the outer at Hawthorn, but a new opportunity at the Demons should yield more prominent roles.
Jiath was a popular figure in the brown and gold, both for his on-field excitement and off-field charisma, which will be a positive addition to Steven King's side.
Round 10 vs Hawthorn, MCG
North Melbourne
Spargo's wretched injury run over the years amounted to plenty of frustration, and a new challenge was what the doctor ordered.
The small forward followed in his father's footsteps, joining North Melbourne.
However, as a premiership Demon, he was given the green light to further his personal career, and a change of colours was what was needed.
Round 19 vs Melbourne, Marvel Stadium
Port Adelaide
An understated free agency move that will help the Power move forward in 2026.
Wehr played 39 games for the Giants, including 14 in 2025, but a return to his home state was too appealing to pass up.
Round 21 vs GWS, Adelaide Oval
A last-day trade saw Durdin head home for the 2026 season, which proved to be a win-win for Carlton and Port Adelaide.
The 23-year-old showed glimpses of brilliance throughout his 64 games for the Blues, but ultimately struggled to cement his spot through lack of form and injury.
A new opportunity in Alberton could be the kickstarter he needs.
Round 11 vs Carlton, Adelaide Oval
A third club for the former top 10 pick, Brodie, will renew acquaintances with Power coach Josh Carr in Alberton.
Brodie's 2022 season will be remembered as one for the history books, but he has rarely been seen since, and forced to toil away in the WAFL.
Round 19 vs Fremantle, Adelaide Oval
Richmond
A shock trade of Retschko to the Tigers occurred on deadline day, despite his delisting weeks earlier.
The youngster was targeted by Richmond in his draft year, but due to their historic haul, led by Sam Lalor, they were unable to select him.
However, 12 months later, they got their man, and he'll have to wait until the end of 2026 to face his former side.
Round 24 vs Geelong, GMHBA Stadium
St Kilda
Tom De Koning and Jack Silvagni
The two Blues free agents took up lucrative deals at Moorabbin, ultimately jumping ship in a shock move.
Round 8 will be the first time De Koning and Silvagni, a third-generation Blue, will take on Carlton, which will be must-see TV on a Saturday night.
Round 8 vs Carlton, Marvel Stadium
The Saints recruit will take on the Suns in Round 9 in Queensland.
Flanders sought a move to Victoria in search of more prominent midfield time, and St Kilda won the race for his services.
Gold Coast wanted to keep the contracted midfielder, but found a way to secure Pick 7, which helped them land Christian Petracca.
Round 9 vs Gold Coast, People First Stadium
'Flyin' Ryan was one of four to join St Kilda in the off-season, leaving the Eagles despite being under contract.
A key player in West Coast's 2018 premiership, the club won't begrudge Ryan for searching for more success.
The pair will reunite under the roof in Round 7.
Round 7 vs West Coast, Marvel Stadium
Sydney
The spearhead will open the 2026 season against his former club, although it will be in front of his new home crowd.
Curnow sought a lifestyle change, away from Carlton, and landed in Sydney, joining the likes of former key forwards (Lance Franklin, Tony Lockett and Barry Hall) heading to New South Wales during their careers.
The Swans paid a hefty price to acquire the two-time Coleman medallist, so they'll hope he'll turn it on at the SCG against the Blues in Opening Round.
Opening Round vs Carlton, SCG
Serong's journey at Hawthorn saw him bide his time in the VFL despite dominating the state-level league.
The 22-year-old found plenty of suitors following the 2025 season, and joined the Swans in a bid to bolster their defensive line.
However, he will need to look into his toolkit bag earlier than expected to face the Hawks, with a matchup scheduled in Round 2 at the home of football.
Round 2 vs Hawthorn, MCG
The small forward sought more senior opportunities after falling by the wayside under Damien Hardwick at Gold Coast.
Rosas Jr found his way to Sydney via a trade, and could be an excellent bargain-based pick-up for Dean Cox and his forward line.
However, neither fan base will be able to throw their support behind the left footer, given the Swans and Suns face each other in Adelaide during Gather Round.
Gather Round vs Gold Coast, Norwood Oval
West Coast
Starcevich's move from Brisbane following back-to-back premierships was to be closer to home.
A leadership role plus more flexibility on the field was what the Eagles sold the former Lion, ultimately paving the way for a trade to be organised.
However, Starcevich won't see his former teammates until Round 19, which will be in Western Australia, his new home.
Round 19 vs Brisbane, Optus Stadium
Young will welcome his former club in Round 8, with Richmond scheduled to travel to Optus Stadium to take on West Coast.
Round 8 vs Richmond, Optus Stadium
Western Bulldogs
The utility joined the Bulldogs on a needs-basis: locking down a defensive position.
Budarick will enjoy taking on his former Suns small forwards such as Bailey Humphrey, Ben Long and Leo Lombard in Round 19.
Round 19 vs Gold Coast, People First Stadium
