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.

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GWS

Josh Kelly

Irrespective of his impending free agency status, Josh Kelly's name has long been linked with a shift from Sydney's west.

Should a new contract fail to be inked and Kelly moves from a heavily constricted pre agent to a still restricted free agent, strap yourselves in folks, as it is going to be a long season of speculation in 2021.

As mentioned, Kelly's services have been sought by other teams for multiple seasons now, with North Melbourne's lucrative, multi-year deal only a pair of years ago acting as testament to the midfielder's quality.

With the 25-year-old now in holiday mode after a season in which his Giants failed to reach the finals, Kelly's manager Paul Connors will no doubt be fielding calls spruiking offers similar to those of the recent past.

Any team with any folding stuff left in their cap should be throwing said hat in the ring to secure his services.

However, if a departure is in the tea leaves. Kelly will almost certainly be eyeing a move back to his home state of Victoria.

Kelly spoke about this desire in May of last year, stating:

“I've got my family in Melbourne, my friends down there and the aspect of playing football in Melbourne around that atmosphere is always an option.”

With the Giants descending this season and their future prospects appearing murky following Jeremy Cameron's impending departure, this option may be exercised sooner rather than later.

Nevertheless, the former first rounder does have the option to exercise a multi-million dollar trigger clause in his contract that could lead to a further eight seasons in orange.

GWS's three remaining pre agents include a pair of former captains (Callan Ward and Phil Davis) and a fringe performer (Matt Buntine).

With the former two almost solely responsible for constructing the Giant's culture, don't expect them to depart any time soon. On the other hand, Buntine's nine games this year suggest he may be entering the winter year of his career.

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