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.
Geelong
Cameron Guthrie
Much like their Grand Final opponents in Richmond, the comings and goings of players this off season are unlikely to be anywhere near the forefront of Geelong's mind at the present.
Be that as it may, it is still our responsibility to produce some names for you.
Of the club's four pre agents, the name that has had us scratching our chin most is the Chuck Noland lookalike – Cameron Guthrie.
At 28 with 180 plus games of experience over a decade at Kardinia Park, the castaway Cat is set to become an unrestricted free agent next season.
Although he has never garnered any attention or adulation akin to the likes of Ablett, Selwood, Dangerfield and Hawkins, Guthrie has always been highly rated within the walls of Kardinia Park.
Having thus far enjoyed a career best year, the hairy cat was rewarded with his first All-Australian selection this season with a place on the wing.
With a chapter yet to write this season and the impending retirements of Gary Ablett and potentially Harry Taylor, Stephen Wells and his list management team will undoubtedly be drawing up a new contract for their quiet achiever once this unique season draws to a close.
Having just achieved access to his maiden Grand Final appearance, a dissection is unnecessary to understand that Guthrie's heart lies in Victoria's pivot city.
This is how much it means. #GeelongStrong pic.twitter.com/4vZWiVOuAs
— Geelong Cats (@GeelongCats) October 17, 2020
The Cat's other trio of pre agents include the names of skipper Joel Selwood (unrestricted), Jed Bews (unrestricted) and Jake Kolodjashni (restricted).
Like Guthrie, expect all three of these integral performers to remain in blue and white hoops into the foreseeable future.
