The out-of-contract 22

With the AFL Finals series approaching, season 2021 is coming towards its climax. For the 10 teams who don't feature in the September action they turn their attention to a number of list decisions for 2022. We decided to put together a team of the best out-of-contract players heading into the finals and off-season. Defenders Liam Duggan (West Coast) The 24 year-old Eagle has featured in 14 games so far this season averaging 19 disposals per game. A member of West Coast's 2018 premiership team, Duggan has experienced an injury interrupted season, missing extended periods due to ongoing knee issues. [caption id="attachment_18501" align="alignnone" width="594"] PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA - MARCH 11: Liam Duggan of the Eagles kicks the ball under pressure from Brandon Matera of the Dockers during the JLT Community Series AFL match between the Fremantle Dockers and the West Coast Eagles at HBF Arena on March 11, 2018 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Robbie Tarrant (North Melbourne) Robbie Tarrant falls into the unrestricted free agent category at season's end. Tarrant has featured in 10 games this season, averaging 14 disposals and 6 marks per game. Th key defender is 32 years of age. [caption id="attachment_65390" align="alignnone" width="1024"] GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 30: Robbie Tarrant of the Kangaroos looks on during the round 14 AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at Metricon Stadium on August 30, 2020 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Matt Roberts/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)[/caption] Shannon Hurn (West Coast) The 301-game veteran and West Coast Eagles legend is also an unrestricted free agent this off season. The question that lingers over Hurn will be whether he decides to retire or go around one more time with the Eagles. Prior to a calf injury in Round 21, the 33-year-old was having a terrific season averaging 22 disposals and seven marks per contest. [player_widget player_id='shannon-hurn' season='2021' stats='Disposals,Marks,Rebound50s' position="Defender"] Jack Ziebell (North Melbourne) Playing down in defence in 2021, Jack Ziebell found plenty of the footy. Averaging 25 disposals and seven marks per game, the Kangaroos captain played a vital role in steadying the ship down back. Moving forward, the out-of-contract veteran is still only 30 years of age and should have some good footy ahead of him. [caption id="attachment_20005" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 13: Jack Ziebell of the Kangaroos kicks whilst being tackled by Dan Butler of the Tigers during the round eight AFL match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Richmond Tigers at Etihad Stadium on May 13, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)[/caption] Phil Davis (GWS) Phil Davis is another veteran defender who is coming out-of-contract to end 2021. The former Giants captain has only managed 10 games this season averaging 10 disposals per outing. [player_widget player_id='phil-davis' season='2021' stats='Disposals,Marks,Rebound50s' position="Defender"] Aaron hall (North Melbourne) Aaron Hall has had a career best season in 2021, having no troubles finding the footy. The Kangaroos half-back is averaging 27 disposals and ranks fifth in total metres gained in the league. Hall turns 31 in November and is out-of-contract at Arden Street. [caption id="attachment_89042" align="alignnone" width="2560"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 07: Aaron Hall and Tarryn Thomas of the Kangaroos look dejected after losing the round 21 AFL match between Richmond Tigers and North Melbourne Kangaroos at Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 07, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)[/caption] Midfielders Patrick Ryder (St Kilda) The Saints ruckman is another who has experienced an injury interrupted season. Ryder has played in 12 games this season, averaging 30 hit-outs per match. Given the success the Saints have had when Ryder is paired with fellow big man Rowan Marshall, it will be interesting to see if the Saints bring Ryder back in season 2022. [caption id="attachment_57605" align="alignnone" width="1024"] GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 06: Paddy Ryder of the Saints is chaired from the field after his 250th match during the round 10 AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and the St Kilda Saints at Metricon Stadium on August 06, 2020 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Matt Roberts/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)[/caption] Jacob Hopper (GWS) The star Giants midfielder is another of the big names out-of-contract at season's end. The 24-year-old has averaged 26 disposals and six clearances this season and has been a vital part of the Giants resurgence from their early season form slump. Hopper has the ability to keep developing and become one of the top midfielders in the competition. [player_widget player_id='jacob-hopper' season='2021' stats='Disposals,Tackles,Clearances' position="Midfielder"] Luke Parker (Sydney) A restricted free agent at seasons end, Luke Parker may attract some serious attention from rival clubs. The 28 year-old has averaged 27 disposals and six clearances per game in 2021 and is destined for a return to finals footy. Parker is also a co-captain of the Swans and was apart of the 2016 All-Australian side. [caption id="attachment_88194" align="alignnone" width="696"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 01: (L-R) Luke Parker, Oliver Florent and Ryan Clarke of the Swans celebrate victory after the round seven AFL match between the Sydney Swans and the Geelong Cats at Sydney Cricket Ground on May 01, 2021 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)[/caption] Cameron Guthrie (Geelong) Cameron Guthrie becomes an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year. After taking out the Cats best and fairest last season whilst also earning All-Australian honours, Guthrie is in the prime of his career. The star on-baller is averaging 30 disposals and five clearances in 2021. [caption id="attachment_88282" align="alignnone" width="2560"] BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 24: Cameron Guthrie of the Cats runs the ball during the round 14 AFL match between the Brisbane Lions and the Geelong Cats at The Gabba on June 24, 2021 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)[/caption] Adam Cerra (Fremantle) At just 21 years of age Adam Cerra is already proving to be a wanted signature. Coming out-of-contract this year, the Dockers midfielder is attracting attention from his home state of Victoria, and has already requested a trade home. Cerra averaged 23 disposals and five inside 50's a match this season. [caption id="attachment_24591" align="alignnone" width="1024"] PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MAY 27: Adam Cerra of the Dockers gets his kick away under pressure during the round 10 AFL match between the Fremantle Dockers and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at Optus Stadium on May 27, 2018 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)[/caption] Jordan Dawson (Sydney Swans) One of the best kicks in the competition is also falling out-of-contract come season's end. The young Swan has been damaging in 2021, averaging 22 disposals across half-back and on a wing. Among a plethora of young talent in Sydney, Jordan Dawson has been a critical cog in the Swans rise to September footy this season. [player_widget player_id='jordan-dawson' season='2021' stats='Disposals,Tackles,Clearances' position="Midfielder"] Forwards Dylan Moore (Hawthorn) Young hawk Dylan Moore had a break-out season for Hawthorn in 2021. Averaging 14 disposals per game, Moore also kicked 27 goals in 20 games. His terrific season saw him named in the best players under 22 squad across the AFL. [player_widget player_id='dylan-moore' season='2021' stats='Disposals,Marks,Goals' position="Forward"] Sam Weideman (Melbourne) Sam Weideman has found himself on the outside looking in for most the season. Only appearing in five games so far this year, Sam Weideman may attract a lot of interest for clubs interested in beefing up their forward stocks. At just 24 years of age, Weideman has plenty of potential and could prosper in years to come. [caption id="attachment_32714" align="alignnone" width="1024"] BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 30: Sam Weideman of the Demons celebrates kicking a goal during the round 15 AFL match between the Brisbane Lions and the Melbourne Demons at The Gabba on June 30, 2019 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/AFL Photos via Getty Images)[/caption] Robbie Gray (Port Adelaide) Port champion Robbie Gray also becomes an unrestricted free agent at season's end. The 34-year-old has averaged 17 disposals and a goal per game in 2021, however is a big game player and will be looking for premiership success come finals time. [caption id="attachment_36903" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 23: Robbie Gray of the Power (L) celebrates the win with Travis Boak of the Power after winning his 200th match during the round one AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the Port Adelaide Power at Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 23, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)[/caption] Jack Billings (St Kilda) One of the more intriguing players coming out-of-contract this year is Jack Billings. The former No.3 pick in the 2013 Draft is sure to be on the radar of multiple clubs. Billings will still only be 26 years of age at the beginning of next season and will be hoping to hit a sweet spot in terms of form. The Saint averaged 20 disposals and just under a goal a game this season. [player_widget player_id='jack-billings' season='2021' stats='Disposals,Tackles,Clearances' position="Midfielder"] Josh J. Kennedy (West Coast) Much like Shannon Hurn, Josh Kennedy will most likely be weighing up his options regarding retirement or going around for one more season with the Eagles. Kennedy has kicked 41 goals in season 2021 still showing form that could warrant playing on in 2021. A West Coast legend, Kennedy has played 256 games and booted 675 goals for the Eagles. [caption id="attachment_45682" align="alignnone" width="1024"] PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JULY 26: Josh J. Kennedy of the Eagles celebrates a goal during the round 8 AFL match between the West Coast Eagles and the Collingwood Magpies at Optus Stadium on July 26, 2020 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)[/caption] Jack Silvagni (Carlton) Still only 23 years of age, Jack Silvagni also runs out-of-contract this year. Silvagni played in 15 games this season, featuring in the forward line and also at times as a backup ruckman when required. The young Blue averaged 13 disposals and two tackles a game. [caption id="attachment_13345" align="alignnone" width="1024"] GOLD COAST, QUEENSLAND - JUNE 17: Jack Silvagni of the blues celebrates a goal during the round 13 AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Carlton Blues at Metricon Stadium on June 17, 2017 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Jason O'Brien/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Interchange Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood) Before injury cut his season short, Scott Pendlebury was showing no sign that the game is passing him by. Averaging 23 disposals and ranking sixth for total goal assists in the league, Collingwood's captain was also playing a mentoring role for many of the young players the Magpies were bringing through this season. https://twitter.com/7AFL/status/1404348110940389376 Grant Birchall (Brisbane) The Lions veteran brings an unparalleled level of premiership experience, having played in four flags with the Hawks before venturing north to the sunny state of Queensland. A key contributor to the Lions, Birchall firms as a critical element of the Lions' premiership hopes. [player_widget player_id='grant-birchall' season='2021' stats='Disposals,Marks,Rebound50s' position="Defender"] Jack Redden (West Coast) Eagles tough-nut Jack Redden is one of four Eagles in this side. The 32-year-old has been one of West Coast's most consistent performers over the last couple of seasons. Redden averaged 24 disposals and four tackles a game in 2021. [caption id="attachment_23994" align="alignnone" width="1024"] PERTH, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 22: Jack Redden of the Eagles celebrates a goal during the AFL Preliminary Final match between the West Coast Eagles and the Melbourne Demons on September 22, 2018 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)[/caption] Matt Crouch (Adelaide) After not featuring at all in season 2021, Matt Crouch is set to become a restricted free agent at Adelaide. It was an injury ravaged season for a Crows fan-favourite who will look for fortunes come 2022. At 26 years of age, Crouch has no shortage of talent or any lack ball winning capabilities. [caption id="attachment_32969" align="alignnone" width="1024"] ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 03: Matt Crouch of the Crows celebrates a goal during the 2019 AFL round 20 match between the Adelaide Crows and the St Kilda Saints at the Adelaide Oval on August 03, 2019 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)[/caption] Honourable Mentions [caption id="attachment_30187" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 19: Luke Dunstan of the Saints is tackled by Brodie Grundy of the Magpies during the round nine AFL match between the St Kilda Saints and the Collingwood Magpies at Etihad Stadium on May 19, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)[/caption] Daniel Talia (Adelaide) Tom Lynch (Adelaide) Matthew Kennedy (Carlton) Nic Newman (Carlton) Marc Pittonet (Carlton) John Noble (Collingwood) Lachlan Schultz (Fremantle) Quinton Narkle (Geelong) Charlie Constable (Geelong) Luke Dunstan (St Kilda) Seb Ross (St Kilda)

The out-of-contract 22

A plethora of big names remain unsigned for next season, collectively making a star-studded side.

Honourable Mentions

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		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	ADEL	23	18	5	72	139.3
2	GEEL	23	17	6	68	141.5
3	BL	23	16	6	66	114.2
4	COLL	23	16	7	64	122.4
5	GWS	23	16	7	64	115.3
6	FRE	23	16	7	64	109
7	GC	23	15	8	60	124.9
8	HAW	23	15	8	60	120.9