The cessation of Round 6 opens the door for AFL clubs to put the finishing touches on any contract extensions for first-year players, with West Coast's Harley Reid among those likely to garner further attention regarding their future.
Under the AFL and AFLPA's new collective bargaining agreement draftees taken in the first 20 selections at last year's National Draft were secured to three-year deals, an increase from the previous two-term contracts from the last CBA.
The new agreement held off those first-year player contracts from being extended until after Round 6, meaning longer-term extensions can now be finalised between player and club.
While the Eagles have Reid locked away until the end of 2026, the teenage sensation could add a further few years to his deal should he be satisfied with staying in the royal blue and gold beyond his current agreement.
Reid has started 2024 in blistering form, with his past fortnight alone seeing his chances of claiming the Rising Star Award grow substantially.
While the Eagles can now table an extension to the No.1 selection, there may be no rush from Reid's end on signing off on a likely lucrative long-term deal. The anticipated interest from all ten Victorian clubs, as well as keen sides from other states, is only set to grow over the course of the next three years.
West Coast CEO Don Pyke has already flagged the club isn't delaying any chances to open discussions with Reid's management following the conclusion of Round 6.
"We're not sitting on our hands, let's put it that way," Pyke said on Triple M Footy over the weekend.
"We'll talk about that with his management. It really comes down to what he'd be comfortable with. We'd clearly like to get him for as long as we possibly could.
"We think he'd be an important part of what we're doing going forward."
A number of clubs have acted quickly to sign new draft additions in recent years, with Adelaide having both Josh Rachele and Jake Soligo add two years to their first contracts during their first pre-season at West Lakes.
North Melbourne re-signed Harry Sheezel through to 2026 following his starring debut performance in Round 1 last year, with the Roos going even further earlier this year to have the 19-year-old now secured until 2030.
With the limitations on draftees being unable to recommit now lifted, attention turns to the likes of Reid, Colby McKercher, Ryley Sanders and other top draft selections to see if their futures are extended beyond 2026.
The top 20 selections from last November's intake were all secured to three-year deals, with those taken at Pick 21 or later placed with two-year contracts.
Interest around the futures of McKercher and Sanders was high prior to the draft, with the Tasmanian natives a curious case given the league's planned expansion from the 2028 season. GWS used Pick 17 on Launceston product James Leake, while fellow Tasweigan made his way to St Kilda later into the draft.
Both McKercher and Sanders have played in every game to start the season, slotting into roles at senior level with ease after dominant draft campaigns.
First-round selections Caleb Windsor (Melbourne), Darcy Wilson (St Kilda) and Jed Walter (Gold Coast) could also be in line for new deals following promising performances early into their maiden seasons.
Later draft picks Harvey Thomas (GWS) and Hugo Garcia (St Kilda) have also impressed, while Rookie Draft addition Sam Clohesy would be fitting for a fresh contract after his stellar opening three matches for the Suns.
Clohesy, who might sit behind Reid as the best-performing first-year player, would only be able to see his rookie deal maxed out at three years, taking him to the end of 2026. A promotion to the primary list could allow both parties to extend their partnership further, however any call of the sort is unlikely.
The Suns have their four Academy selections, who all featured in Sunday's loss to Sydney, to also consider as they look to build their list under Damien Hardwick.
The quartet of local young guns could take a back seat for the time being as Gold Coast potentially look to secure new deals for Ben Ainsworth (off-contract 2024), Matt Rowell (2025), Mac Andrew (2025), Sam Collins (2025) and Charlie Ballard (2025).
