Footy's forgotten men: The player at your club who could be looking elsewhere for 2026

The Age

2 days ago

Jordan Boyd (two games)
Boyd was dropped after an early season appearance before sustaining a concussion in his first game back eight weeks later, so it will be interesting to see if he regains his spot this week after the bye. The 2021 mid-season draftee played 19 games last year, so he will back himself to become a regular part of the Blues' defence again with his neat skills and toughness. Boyd is contracted for another season, so time is in his favour.
Contracted until: End of 2026.
Collingwood
Oleg Markov (two games)
It's been increasingly tough sledding for Markov since his breakout season in the Pies' 2023 premiership season, when he played 23 games, including the grand final. That number dropped to 12 last year and the tally is only two this season, including being dropped for the second time last week. On his third club and at age 29, time is running out for Markov, who will forever be part of Collingwood history regardless of what happens from here.
Contracted until: End of 2025 (unrestricted free agent).
Essendon
Jayden Laverde (three games)
Laverde's been back in the Bombers' senior side the last three weeks after playing in the VFL until then, including serving a two-week ban for headbutting. Like ex-Bomber Jake Stringer, Essendon refused to offer Laverde an extension last year, but he remained at Tullamarine for his free agency season. Carlton and St Kilda showed preliminary interest in the 29-year-old, and they are potential landing points for him at season's end.
Contracted until: End of 2025 (unrestricted free agent).
Fremantle
James Aish (two games)
The ex-Magpie has never played fewer than 16 matches in any of his five seasons as a Docker, including 20 or more in the past four, but has made only two appearances – in rounds three and six – in 2025. The first of those was as the substitute, so he has fallen a long way down the pecking order. Aish turns 30 in November, and faces a significant, but not impossible, battle ahead to earn another contract and extend his 185-game career.
Contracted until: End of 2025.
Geelong
Jhye Clark (six games)
Clark's in only his third AFL season after being a top-10 selection out of the Geelong Falcons, and the Cats have a great development record. The 20-year-old midfielder played 15 games last year, and only six to date in 2025, but Bailey Smith's arrival is one significant factor for that. They are also running a tight on-ball rotation including Smith, Max Holmes, Tom Atkins, Jack Bowes and Oisin Mullin. Clark's winning disposals for fun in the VFL.
Contracted until: End of 2026.
Gold Coast
Malcolm Rosas jnr (three games)
Rosas' days as a Sun seem numbered, given his opportunities have dwindled for a second straight season under Damien Hardwick. The goalsneak has attracted opposition interest previously, including from Essendon and Sydney, and can walk to the club of his choice at season's end (if that is his preference). Rosas has kicked 46 goals in 48 games for Gold Coast. Veterans Alex Sexton and Sean Lemmens have played once between them this year.
Contracted until: End of 2025 (unrestricted free agent).
GWS
Leek Aleer (two games)
Aleer told The Age in March that the number of AFL matches he plays would be a factor in whether he re-signs, and he has appeared just twice, although both appearances were in the past fortnight. Aleer will try to maintain his senior spot for GWS as his contract situation bubbles away in the background. St Kilda presented him a long-term, lucrative offer last year and Brisbane also remain interested, so the Giants face a challenge to retain him.
Contracted until: End of 2025.
Hawthorn
Sam Frost (two games)
St Kilda and Sydney tried in the off-season to lure ex-Giant and Demon Frost, but the Hawks held firm. The Frost camp's hope that the rival interest might result in more contract security did not eventuate, and now he has played all bar two matches in the VFL. It is not a shocking development, given Tom Barrass and Josh Battle's arrival, but there is a decent chance Frost, who turns 32 in August, could be in the market for a fourth club.
Contracted until: End of 2025.
Melbourne
Blake Howes (four games)
Howes did not play a game in his first two seasons, but started last year in the Demons' first-choice defence and kept his spot for most of it. This season started the same way until he was dropped after round three, and he lasted just one match after regaining his spot a month later. Howes has not been seen at the top level since, so he faces a critical second half of this year. The writing is on the wall for Jack Billings, who's played once this year.
Contracted until: End of 2025.
North Melbourne
Bailey Scott (seven games)
Scott finished third in the Roos' best-and-fairest count two years ago and played 67 games across the past three seasons, but it's been a different story in 2025. Alastair Clarkson's dropped the wingman twice, and he remains in the VFL after a combined 11 touches in his last three AFL outings. Scott inked a two-year extension last August, but 10 months later he is out of the senior side. Zac Fisher's played only three games this year after 18 in 2024.
Contracted until: End of 2025.
Port Adelaide
Jordon Sweet (eight games)
Sweet requested a trade from Western Bulldogs at the end of 2023 to receive more opportunity after being stuck behind Tim English. He arrived at Alberton at the same time as Ivan Soldo, with Dante Visentini already on the list, and snatched the No.1 ruck role by late April and kept it. Sweet, 27, began this season the same way, but was dropped for Visentini, 22, a month ago, while Soldo, 29, has appeared just once. Soldo is also contracted for 2026.
Contracted until: End of 2026
Richmond
Samson Ryan (two games)
The arrival of forwards Jonty Faull, Harry Armstrong and Tom Sims means Ryan is purely Toby Nankervis' ruck deputy. Sims is serving as a forward-ruck since making his debut a month ago. Ryan played alongside Nankervis once, but his other match was when the Tigers' skipper was managed – and he was back out the next week. Ryan inked a three-year deal last year, is the clear No.2 ruck, and Nankervis is 31 in August, so he needs to be patient.
Contracted until: End of 2027.
St Kilda
Liam Henry (one game)
The Saints traded for Henry at the end of 2023 for effectively a second-round pick, which was viewed as a coup, given the battles they have in bringing in talent. However, a knee injury ended the winger-forward's first campaign after only 12 games – and he has played just once in 2025. The likeliest scenario is that Henry finds a way out of Ross Lyon's doghouse. Dan Butler played his first AFL game this year in Sunday's win over Melbourne.
Contracted until: End of 2027.
Sydney
Hayden McLean (nine games)
Sydney dropped McLean two weeks ago, even though Logan McDonald (ankle) remains out, which was a statement from coach Dean Cox. Joel Amartey's suspension meant McLean received an instant recall, and he was the sole Swan to kick multiple goals in the big loss to Adelaide. It is a situation to monitor because Amartey and McDonald will return at some stage, and clubs are constantly looking for forwards who can play in the ruck.
Contracted until: End of 2027.
West Coast
Jack Petruccelle (one game)
Petruccelle's sole match under Andrew McQualter was as the substitute in round two. The Victorian speedster has otherwise toiled away in the WAFL, as well as dealing with a shoulder issue. There is always a need for speed in the AFL, and he has 89 games' experience, so opposition clubs will likely keep tabs on Petruccelle. There is the possibility that the 26-year-old forces his way into the Eagles' senior line-up, but this is a situation to monitor.
Contracted until: End of 2025 (unrestricted free agent).
Western Bulldogs
Harvey Gallagher (five games)
Gallagher had a breakthrough season in 2024, making his AFL debut and playing 20 games – but it's been more difficult this year, including being dropped twice. He has played down back, through the midfield and on a wing during his time at the Kennel, has won plenty of the Sherrin in the VFL and is only 21, so this looks a temporary challenge for Gallagher. Taylor Duryea has fallen out of favour, too, but is nearing the end of his career.
Contracted until: End of 2026.