A decade ago, the AFL followed the lead of the American sporting codes by introducing a free agency program.
The policy has led to the biggest shift in the employee/employer relations since the induction of the eight-hour working day and the biggest in the code since the short-lived ten-year rule of the Seventies.
The past shackles of clearances, poor salaries and a powerless playing class were cast off, with million dollar deals over multiple years becoming the new norm.
No sooner had this new age been established did the term ‘pre-agency' become a side-effect and a part of the footballing vernacular.
The tag of pre-agent relates to those that are still on contract with their current clubs, but come the agreements conclusion, they will have served a tenure long enough to be granted either restricted or unrestricted free agency status.
Recently, clubs have begun shopping these players prior to their contracts completion in an effort to avoid leaving future negotiations empty handed. Players have also been known to openly flirt with other teams as a means of securing an extension from their current cheque cutters.
With the conclusion of the 2020 season imminent and the trade period around the following corner, we've compiled a list of the players that will enter free agency this time next year.
Below are all 18 club's most interesting 'pre-agent', with some added speculation about what their futures may hold.
North Melbourne
Robbie Tarrant
Having already conducted their first fire sale of the off-season, North Melbourne's playing stocks currently resemble Mother Hubbard's cupboard.
With eleven magnets already removed from the coach-less club's whiteboard and Ben Brown told to seek greener pastures, other names may also up and leave Arden Street.
In regard to the Kangaroo's crop of pre agents, none will garner more attention than future unrestricted free agent Robbie Tarrant.
With nothing looking certain at North, the perpetually unquestionable stopper may also seek to flee the ambiguity despite being contracted for next season.
At 31, Tarrant may wish to seek success elsewhere and avoid the inevitably painful rebuild at North. However, the 2016 Syd Barker medalist may instead wish to see his career out in blue and white by helping the next brigade of Roos bound forward earlier than expected.
Journalist Damian Barrett has also found himself sitting on the fence, stating earlier this month that both of the mutually exclusive narratives are still possibilities.
Robbie Tarrant is 'considering a future' at another club, per @AFLcomau/@barrettdamian pic.twitter.com/uVxDe0iUo0
— 7AFL (@7AFL) October 8, 2020
“Robbie Tarrant, while contracted for 2021, is another North Melbourne player considering a future that may not involve North Melbourne,” Barrett said on AFL Media's Footy Feed.
“The default position is the contract for 2021, that's going to be something the club can hold him to, and deep down I think that's how it plays out, that he does stay a Roo.
“But I can tell you for a fact that he is considering his footy future right now.”
Luke McDonald (restricted) and Jack Ziebell (unrestricted) will also enter free agency next year, but with strong ties to the club through either blood and captaincy, expect the duo to stay on willingly.
Trent Dumont (restricted) and Shaun Atley (unrestricted) round out the Roos' pre agency class of 2020, however, what lies ahead for this pair remains far muddier than the previous pair.
