AFL’s official list of free agents revealed as two shocks among EIGHT in big-money bracket

The AFL has released its official list of restricted and unrestricted players out of contract at the end of 2022, with two big shocks in the big-money bracket.

Brisbane’s Darcy Gardiner and Fremantle’s Alex Pearce have joined the likes of Sydney’s superstar Lance Franklin and Collingwood’s Jordan de Goey as restricted free agents at the end of the season.

Restricted free agents are players who are in the top 25 per cent of their club’s earners and come out of contract after their eighth or ninth season at the club.

SEE THE FULL LIST OF PLAYERS AVAILABLE IN 2022 BELOW

Franklin will be out of contract at the end of 2022, as his nine-year $10 million deal comes to an end at the Swans. Sydney club management have previously spoken about their wish for Franklin to continue on in 2023 – should he remain willing and fit.

De Goey remains this year’s biggest name in restricted free agency, with rivals expected to offer the Pies star more than $800,000 per season.

Melbourne’s Angus Brayshaw is another player to keep a close eye on as the Demons look to lock down their premiership roster – but whether they have enough salary cap space to keep all their stars remains to be seen, with young Luke Jackson targeted by WA clubs.

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James Sicily is reportedly close to signing a new deal with Hawthorn, while Essendon’s Kyle Langford and Richmond’s Kane Lambert also qualify for restricted free agency.

Of the 109 players on the free agency list for 2022, 101 are unrestricted free agents.

Unrestricted free agents are players who have previously been delisted, are in the bottom 75 per cent of the club’s salary or have served 10 or more years at a club.

They are able to move to a new club, without giving their current club the option to match their deal.

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RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS IN 2022

Brisbane: Darcy GardinerCollingwood: Jordan De GoeyEssendon: Kyle LangfordFremantle: Alex PearceHawthorn: James SicilyMelbourne: Angus BrayshawRichmond: Kane LambertSydney: Lance Franklin

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS IN 2022

ADELAIDE

Ben Davis*Mitch Hinge*Taylor Walker

BRISBANE

Ryan LesterDaniel McStayMitch Robinson*Dayne Zorko

CARLTON

Matt Cottrell*Ed CurnowMatt KennedyOscar McDonald*Jack Newnes^Lochie O’Brien*

COLLINGWOOD

Isaac Chugg*Mason CoxJamie ElliottJordan Roughead^

ESSENDON

Dyson HeppellMichael HurleyAlec Waterman*

FREMANTLE

Bailey Banfield*Connor Blakely*Mitch Crowden*David Mundy

GEELONG

Luke Dahlhaus^Tom HawkinsShaun Higgins^Joel SelwoodIsaac Smith^

GOLD COAST

Levi Casboult*Charlie Constable*Jez McLennan*

GWS

Jarrod Brander*Matt De Boer*Lachlan Keeffe*Adam KennedyDaniel Lloyd*Zach Sproule*Jake Stein*Jacob Wehr*

HAWTHORN

Jack GunstonKyle Hartigan*Daniel HoweBen McEvoyLiam Shiels

MELBOURNE

Mitch Brown*Majak Daw*Jayden Hunt

NORTH MELBOURNE

Ben CunningtonTodd GoldsteinKyron Hayden*Tom Lynch*Kayne TurnerJosh Walker*

PORT ADELAIDE

Karl AmonTravis BoakTrent Dumont*Robbie GraySam Mayes*Trent McKenzie*Steven Motlop^Sam Skinner*

RICHMOND

Trent CotchinShane EdwardsBen Miller*Bigoa Nyuon*Matt Parker*Jack RiewoldtJayden Short

ST KILDA

Tom Campbell*Jarryn GearyDarragh Joyce*Jarrod Lienert*Mason Wood*

SYDNEY

Harry CunninghamRobbie Fox*Josh KennedyJake LloydPaddy McCartin*Sam NaismithSam ReidLewis Taylor*

WEST COAST

Hugh Dixon*Shannon HurnJamaine Jones*Tom Joyce*Josh KennedyPatrick Naish*Nic NaitanuiJackson NelsonLuke ShueyLuke Strnadica*

WESTERN BULLDOGS

Zaine CordyBailey DaleCaleb DanielTaylor Duryea^Jason JohannisenTom LiberatoreStefan Martin^Toby McLeanMitch Wallis

*Previously delisted ^Previously a free agent

NOTE: Figures correct as at May 11. Players’ new contracts may not have been processed by the AFL yet.