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.
St. Kilda
Jack Billings
After being selected in the top five of his draft class and having played upwards of 120 senior games, some may feel that Jack Billings is an established AFL footballer. However, if you scratch the surface, you'll find that everything may not be quite as rosy as it appears for the future restricted free agent.
Billings played in each of the Saints 19 games this season, but was unable to crack a top ten place in the club's best and fairest voting.
His shift to spending most of the season on a wing not only failed to raise his disposal and inside fifty numbers, it naturally yielded fewer goals – down slightly from 13 to 11.
Should clubs come knocking this off-season or next, it may mean that the baby faced Saint's trade value is slightly more dented than St. Kilda fans may wish to acknowledge.
Still, with the re-introduction of Jade Gresham next season, numerous possible additions and with Hunter Clark being injected into the guts, it should mean that the former Oakleigh Charger may spend more time closer to goal.
Jack Billings sealed the deal for the Saints! #AFLSaintsEagles pic.twitter.com/wkbSmocMBn
— AFL (@AFL) August 6, 2017
Unless a club is willing to pay well over the odds for Billings, expect James Gallagher and his list management team to check rather than fold on their investment.
This time next season, 2019 best and fairest Sebastian Ross will also be a restricted free agent.
Even though the experienced midfielder has gone from chocolate to boiled lollies this season, even if his name is to attract attention, it does seem a tad too early for the Saints to ship noted names from their fledgling centre line.
Still, if Brad Crouch is bought, sold and unveiled at Moorabbin, an alternative narrative may be sought by Ross and his management.
The future of the remaining pre agents Luke Dunstan and Dylan Roberton (both restricted) remain clouded after only appearing once a piece this season. Should a trade arise for either name, the purchasing club won't be expected to part with anything close to a king's ransom.
