The trade period is often a market where clubs can secure big fish or cheap bargains.
With a lot of noise centred around the futures of the bigger names in the league (Bontempelli, Rowell, Allen, De Koning, Wanganeen-Milera, Maynard, etc) we thought we'd take a look at some of the more under the radar out of contract players that may be sought after this offseason.
Here are nine underrated players who find themselves without contracts for 2026 that could fetch interest on the open market.
9. Josh Ward
Josh Ward is enjoying his best season to date, solidifying his spot in the Hawks' best 22 and becoming a permanent fixture in the elite brown and gold engine room.
The recent addition to the 50-game club is averaging 20.8 disposals, 3.1 marks, 3.1 tackles, 3.5 clearances and five score involvements so far in 2025, stepping up to fill the voids left by Will Day, Conor Nash and Cam Mackenzie at certain points throughout the season.
While his best footy has unquestionably come during this campaign, the 21-year-old has been a solid contributor ever since his initial introduction to the league, averaging 18.3 disposals, 4.2 marks, 2.4 tackles, two clearances and four score involvements across his first three seasons of AFL action (2022-2024).
The former Pick 7 selection is also a reliable user of the ball, going at 75% disposal efficiency this season and never once dipping below 70% in any season of his career.
