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.
Richmond
Kamdyn McIntosh
Although Kamdyn McIntosh is undoubtedly the most inconspicuous of Richmond's cluster of pre agents, he remains the most interesting.
Of a group that includes David Astbury, Dylan Grimes, Jack Riewoldt, Shane Edwards (all unrestricted) and Nick Vlastuin (restricted), McIntosh's future is undeniably the one that remains the greyest.
With Edwards and Riewoldt unlikely to seek another contract and the remaining trio making up the pillars of the team's back six, it is highly unlikely that any of the five will flee Tigerland.
Sadly, it is unlikely that the same level of certainty can be afforded to McIntosh.
The Pinjarra product's ability to play well in multiple positions across the park has won him many admirers in his time in yellow and black. However, following no appearances in last year's finals, murmurs arose about the potential for the utility to seek a trade.
Kamdyn McIntosh turns on the jets!
Enter @Telstra #5GFastestFootballer at https://t.co/xS8ACsakad pic.twitter.com/mdObOU8wyx
— AFL (@AFL) September 2, 2020
Although this eventually came to nothing, expect rival clubs to see the 2017 premiership winning Tiger as an inexpensive option to fill numerous voids in their lineup.
Whether the club will be willing to let the 26-year-old depart as a restricted free agent is another story altogether and has almost certainly not crossed their collective minds this week at all.
