Following the conclusion of another hectic, fast-finishing home and away season, it's time to prepare for finals football once again.
While eight teams' hopes of holding this year's premiership cup aloft remain alive, ten clubs' seasons are officially over after failing to qualify for September football.
Despite all the attention rightly being on the contenders, each bottom-ten side faces pertinent list management decisions that will shape its future.
Taking into account draft hands and off-contract commodities, we explore those impending decisions facing 2023's bottom ten.
North Melbourne
Indicative draft hand: 2, 16, 39, 53, 59, 76.
After West Coast upset the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium in Round 23, the Kangaroos surely thought they'd snared unanimously projected No. 1 pick Harley Reid to run riot in Alastair Clarkson's midfield.
However, despite possessing a vice-like grip on the precious draft choice heading into the final round of the season, the Roos returned it to Lathlain after they put the Suns to the sword in Tasmania on Saturday.
Now, instead of sitting comfortably with the chance to select Reid outright at No. 1, North Melbourne will need to ponder packaging picks for the chance to swoop on Reid if they desire his services.
It's hardly the end of the world for the Roos, though, who continue to benefit from Port Adelaide's 2022 acquisition of Horne-Francis; holding the Power's first-round choice. North Melbourne also figures to gain 'band one' compensation for the likely departure of free agent commodity Ben McKay, who is understood to be sought after by numerous rival clubs. This is due to the likely highly remunerative package he'll receive, in addition to his youthful age (25).
That compensation is expected to come immediately after North's first selection, gifting them the No. 3 overall pick, and an enviable two top-three choices in total.
All of this without mentioning the potential for North Melbourne to also receive an AFL assistance package of sorts this year, which could gift the Arden Street club the ability to 'pre-list' promising Tasmanian midfielder Ryley Sanders, who has ties to North's Next Generation Academy due to his Indigenous heritage.
Plenty of tantalising off-season options await the Roos this year.
Off-contract players:
Aiden Bonar, Kallan Dawson, Blake Drury, Jacob Edwards, Hamish Free, Todd Goldstein, Hugh Greenwood*, Daniel Howe, Jack Mahoney, Ben McKay, Flynn Perez, Liam Shiels, Phoenix Spicer, Kayne Turner, Lachie Young.
Greenwood's future at Arden Street is reportedly already secured due to him having hit a supposed games-played trigger as part of his previous contract.
The doubt surrounding McKay's future at North Melbourne has been well-documented, while a cloud of uncertainty continues to hang over Arden Street stalwart Todd Goldstein, who is an unrestricted free agent this year, meaning he can sign at any club of his choosing.
Lively half-forwards Drury and Spicer seem likely to earn contracts based on what they've produced this year at the AFL and VFL levels. However, the likes of Bonar and Howe face nervous waits for their exit interviews, while veteran Shiels could move into a full-time coaching role under Clarkson.
List decisions
The Kangaroos appear to be assessing the possibility of tabling Carlton utility Zac Fisher a long-term contract as his place in the Blues' burgeoning lineup remains cloudy.
While key-position defender is one of the highest-valued positions, McKay seems destined to depart Arden Street this year, and North Melbourne appears plenty satisfied with the prospect of resultantly snagging lucrative draft compensation.
Aside from the potential respective comings and goings of Fisher and McKay, as well as a likely host of delistings, North's main off-season priorities regarding its list are likely to lie with November's National Draft, as Clarkson and Co. continue to add young talent.
