With over 100 players able to opt for free agency this year, list managers across the league are set to begin their off-season preparations.
While many household names are sure to sign their futures to the club's they currently call home, there will still be those that attract attention from other sides you will be looking to take their chance.
We take on the hypothetical task of pairing this year's big free agents with a rival suitor.
FULL LIST OF 2022 AFL FREE AGENTS
Adelaide Crows
The young Crows, who are in need of experienced contributors, could potentially look to acquire the silky smooth Caleb Daniel.
In doing so, defender/midfielder Rory Laird could remain in the middle of the ground for extended periods after making his case in the engine room last year.
In addition, Daniel's home state is South Australia and thus he may consider a homecoming in 2023.
Brisbane
Gunston, a veteran forward who can still produce at a high level, could act as a fourth target forward for the Lions, alongside Joe Daniher, Eric Hipwood and Daniel McStay.
Gunston also possesses the ability to swing back and on the wing.
Adding the veteran Hawks sharpshooter would certainly assist in widening Brisbane's premiership window.
Carlton
After re-signing Sam Walsh, nabbing former Docker Adam Cerra and ex-Swan George Hewett during last year's trade period and tying all of that together with skipper Patrick Cripps, the Blues' midfield of the future is set.
Therefore, an experienced and serviceable ruckman is required to help lead that Carlton midfield.
Is Marc Pittonet the right man to fill that role?
Ruck
Hitouts
Marks
Disposals
This season will tell that story, because if not, Eagles veteran Nic Naitanui might be available to snatch up at the conclusion of this year.
Naitanui is an elite tap ruckman and could make life extremely simple for the aforementioned Blues midfield quartet.
Collingwood
The Magpies are in need of a key defender to assist Jordan Roughead and Darcy Moore (who is coming out of contract this year).
Roughead is in the twilight of his career, and there's a chance that Moore looks elsewhere, so the Magpies may need to plan ahead and look at picking up someone like Fremantle's Alex Pearce.
Injuries aside, Pearce is known as an above-average one-on-one defender and could pair well with Moore and high-flyer Jeremy Howe.
Essendon
Bombers livewire forward Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti will be taking a leave of absence for personal reasons.
If 'Tippa' ends up missing serious time, the Dons may look to acquire another high-quality general forward.
Collingwood's Jamie Elliott, a free agent at the end of this year, wreaks havoc inside 50 and could be a lethal forward pairing with veteran Jake Stringer.
For his size, Elliott is an outstanding lead-up and marking forward and would be an instant asset in Essendon's forward-line.
Fremantle
It's no secret that Fremantle needs more quality on the wings.
Demons hard-nut Angus Brayshaw may be the perfect free-agent candidate for the Dockers at the end of the 2022 season.
The 26-year-old can also play inside and help fill the hole left by departing midfielder Adam Cerra.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
Furthermore, Angus' brother, Andy, is already in purple colours and thriving alongside the likes of Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe and up-and-comer Caleb Serong.
Geelong
After the retirement of key defender Lachie Henderson, the Cats suddenly have some shoes to fill defensively.
Therefore, Geelong might be wise to look to some youth in the form of Essendon's Jayden Laverde.
Having shown a weakness in defence in the absence of Tom Stewart late last year, Laverde would add another strong to the bow that is the Cats' rearguard.
Gold Coast Suns
Jack Macrae could be just the experienced contributor the Suns need to rise to finals contention.
The 27-year-old would provide Gold Coast with the type of veteran midfield quality that they've been missing since the departure of Gary Ablett.
Another candidate here might be West Coast's Luke Shuey, who's also set to come out of contract at the end of this season and is also a quality midfielder and Norm Smith medallist.
GWS Giants
The Giants could look to pair impending free agent Isaac Heeney with All-Australian forward Toby Greene, adding another layer to a GWS forward-line that also boasts Jesse Hogan and Harry Himmelberg.
Heeney could also push through the midfield at times and dominate alongside the likes of Josh Kelly, Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper.
Furthermore, a Heeney acquisition also makes for an entertaining cross-town switch from the Harbour to the Western districts.
Hawthorn
Off-field troubles aside, Jordan De Goey would add a significant edge to Hawthorn's midfield and forward stocks if the club were to pursue the 25-year-old impending free agent.
De Goey would add burst and flair to a young Hawks forward-line that is in need of a game-changing goalkicker.
A new home might just be what places De Goey on the path to stardom.
Melbourne
It would be an understatement to say that Melbourne's current list doesn't need much improvement.
However, the Bulldogs' Dale would provide quality disposal use from the Demons' defensive half.
Defender
Disposals
Marks
Rebound50s
The potential of Dale teaming up with Christian Salem, Michael Hibberd and Trent Rivers would surely have Demons fans licking their lips, with Jake Lever and Steven May also commanding from the back.
North Melbourne
The Kangaroos possess a very inexperienced back six as they head into the 2022 season.
Potentially adding two-time Richmond premiership defender Jayden Short would undoubtedly add composure and dangerous rebounding ability to a young defence.
North Melbourne might also explore the possibility of acquiring the cool-headed Dyson Heppell to lead its rebounding defence.
Port Adelaide
James Sicily may be on Port Adelaide's radar at the end of this season.
The 27-year-old Hawk would arguably be an upgrade over Power defender Trent McKenzie. Like McKenzie, Sicily is a penetrating kick of the football, and he's efficient with the ball and solid in the air too.
The Power drafted rebounding defender Josh Sinn, but Sicily would add an extremely valuable layer of depth, and create more flexibility for Ken Hinkley's defence.
Richmond
Richmond already has a duo of mainstay medium forwards in Jason Castagna and Shai Bolton (who will likely play in the midfield more than ever in 2022) who've played in the Tigers' recent premierships, but the club may look to someone like Robbie Gray to help extend its premiership window.
Gray would add another dangerous component to Richmond's forward-line, and he could also push through the midfield in short stints.
St Kilda
St Kilda may look to strengthen its midfield by pursuing Port Adelaide veteran Travis Boak.
Boak, a Victorian, could team up with the likes of skipper Jack Steele and hard-as-nails midfielders Brad Crouch and Zak Jones.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
The 33-year-old not only adds class but also a heap of finals experience to a club that hasn't had a lot in recent seasons.
Sydney Swans
With Dane Rampe and Tom McCartin making up the brunt of Sydney's best key position defenders, the Swans wouldn't turn down some depth in that department.
Darcy Moore, another impending free agent, offers not only depth but would be another premium defender at John Longmire's disposal.
Sydney's defence would arguably be a powerhouse if Moore were to hop on board and if fellow free agent Jake Lloyd were to re-sign.
West Coast
Tom Hawkins, a Cats stalwart, could act as a potential Jack Darling replacement (due to his current snag with the AFL's vaccination requirement) and may help the Eagles extend their closing premiership window.
A Hawkins-Josh Kennedy twilight partnership would make for unmissable viewing and could help catapult West Coast back into top-eight contention.
Western Bulldogs
With free agent defender Caleb Daniel potentially examining his options at the end of this season, a like-for-like replacement could be a requirement for the Bulldogs, and there may be one on the market at the end of this year.
Jake Lloyd is an elite disposal user who kick-starts attacking chains from defensive 50, and he could come in and replace Daniel if he does in fact decide to depart the kennel and if Lloyd doesn't re-sign in the Harbour City.
