It's being reported that numerous clubs will have cash to make serious moves in the transfer market this coming off-season if they so choose.
Maybe unsurprisingly, the clubs are all currently sitting in the bottom half of the table and struggling in their attempts to play finals footy this season.
According to Fox Footy's Tom Morris on AFL Tonight, the Adelaide Crows, North Melbourne Kangaroos and Essendon Bombers are among those clubs who could make a significant play in the transfer market. Of those sides, only Essendon are still in with a show of making the top eight, with the Bombers sitting tenth, just four points outside the current mark of the eighth-placed Fremantle Dockers.
The Crows and Kangaroos both sit in the bottom three on the competition table.
Morris said however that, particularly in the case of the Crows and Kangaroos, they may elect to hold the cash for 2022 when a better crop of free agents would be available.
“It’s good news if you’re an Adelaide, North Melbourne or even an Essendon supporter because your clubs have money to spend," Morris said.
"It remains to be seen whether you want to spend money this year while you’re probably not contending – more so Adelaide and North Melbourne – or stockpile some cash for down the track, maybe next year, when there’s more free agents up for grabs. Jordan De Goey is one, Darcy Moore is another."
The Crows and Kangaroos have currently re-signed 12 and 10 players respectively from their off-contract list, while the Bombers list is far shorter with seven re-signed in the shape of Darcy Parish, Brayden Ham, Harrison Jones, Zach Merrett, Devon Smith, Jake Stringer and Alec Waterman.
Essendon still have 15 players who still remain off-contract at season's end, indicating they may be the most likely club gearing up for a free agency splash.
Among that list are unrestricted free agents Cale Hooker and David Zaharakis.
Morris also indicated some teams who may be far tighter when it comes to expenditure at season's end, including the Collingwood Magpies, which will be a major disappointment to the fan base given their abysmal season.
“We know that Collingwood doesn’t have a lot. Graham Wright has spoken on radio about the fact they may have to tip another player out, so I wouldn’t expect the Pies to be too active in the trade space, more likely the draft space," Morris said.
Morris also indicated that the Brisbane Lions, West Coast Eagles, Geelong Cats and Richmond Tigers may struggle when it comes to spending.
“The Brisbane Lions are tight. They’re not going to have to tip anyone out, but they’re unlikely to bring anyone significant in. They’ve also got most of their list re-signed, which is a good thing but it’s also hurt them because it means they don’t have a lot of flexibility," Morris said.
“West Coast, Geelong and Richmond – this is obvious. These clubs are towards the top of the tree and have been in the last couple of years and have re-signed a lot of players and got a lot of talent on their list. They can’t be too active in terms of bringing talented players to the club and will have to be smart in the way they go about it."
It's understood the AFL is still yet to finalise the salary cap and club budgets for next season, with AFL.com reporting they are likely to go up, but that it's yet to be confirmed by the league.
