Welcome to Off-Season Central.
Below, you can follow each club’s every move heading into the 2024 offseason.
Here’s everything you need to know about what your team is doing to prepare for 2025.
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JULY 31 – SUNS VETERAN, TWO-TIME PREMIERSHIP TIGER BRAND ELLIS CALLS TIME
Gold Coast Suns veteran and two-time premiership Tiger Brandon Ellis has announced his AFL retirement with immediate effect.
Ellis, who turns 31 this week, is calling time after 251 games – including 176 for the Tigers as part of a golden era under Damien Hardwick – before moving to Gold Coast at the end of 2020.
The midfielder thanked both clubs and Hardwick, for whom he played at both stops, for making his trip so special.
“I am honored to have had such an amazing journey in the AFL and to have met some amazing people who will forever be a part of my life,” Ellis said.
“I would like to thank Richmond Football Club for changing my life and giving me the opportunity to make my dream come true.
“For my Gold Coast Suns family, moving our lives here has been a great adventure and it has been the best decision we have ever made. Gold Coast is home now and we don’t see ourselves leaving anytime soon.
“Dimma: thank you for everything, from the beginning to the end. You have had a huge impact on my life and I can say with all my heart that I am a better man because of you.
“To my family and partner Sarah: you are the most important people to me and I am forever in your debt. Thank you for your continued support that has enabled me to realize my dream.”
Suns footy boss Wayne Campbell thanked Ellis for his contributions to the club.
“We would like to congratulate Brandon on all he has achieved during his decorated career with both Richmond and the Gold Coast Suns,” Campbell said.
“Signing a player of Brandon’s quality and premiership experience was an important achievement for our club and we are grateful for everything Brandon has given us in five years at the Suns.
“Brandon’s infectious personality and smile, game sense and ability to score a goal when his team needed it will be how he will be remembered.
“He retires as a two-club champion and we would like to wish Brandon and Sarah all the best for the next chapter of their lives.”
JULY 23 – SWANS PREMIERSHIP FORWARD RETIRES AFTER A LONG INJURY Struggle
Sydney Premier Sam Reid has announced his immediate retirement after another injury setback in the VFL.
Reid, 32, retires after scoring 183 goals in 181 games, including the Swans’ 2012 win.
He informed teammates of his decision on Tuesday, saying he “couldn’t thank the club enough” for its loyalty to him after he was drafted at pick 38 in 2009.
“I have called the Sydney Swans home for the past 15 seasons and I am so grateful for the time I have had here at the club,” Reid said.
“Since I came from Victoria all those years ago, I have grown from a 17-year-old school kid to a wife and two children of my own. The club has looked after me and my family so well and I can’t thank them enough for the opportunity I have been given.
“I will look back with so many great memories of playing here – the people I got to work with were incredible and a big reason why I stuck with it for 15 years. Of course, the 2012 premiership remains the football highlight for me.
“I would like to thank the entire football club, the players past and present, the coaching staff and of course all the Swans members who have supported me throughout the journey.”
Reid was unable to play a senior game in 2023 due to a serious pre-season hamstring injury, but was redrawn as a rookie on a one-year contract for 2024.
He has not played since the 2022 Grand Final, when he was named after a brilliant season while nursing an injury and was soon forced out of the game.
Swans coach John Longmire praised his efforts in overcoming injuries that saw him sideline all of 2016 and all but one match in 2018.
“Sam has been a highly valued member of our team and it has been a privilege and pleasure to coach him,” said Longmire.
“Sam has played a variety of roles for the team and has always been valued for his football smarts and his team-first ethos.
“He has dealt with many injuries over the years and his commitment and dedication to rehabilitation has always been of a very high standard.
“We are grateful for everything Sam, Kim, Saxon and Harley have given to our club and wish them all the best for the future.”
THE MOVES AND ASSETS OF EACH AFL CLUB OUTSIDE THE 2024 SEASON
ADELAIDE CROWS
Who’s leaving: Rory Sloane (retired)
Who’s coming: TB
Draft picks (as of end of round 18): 5, 31, 43, 61
Promoted rookies: TB
Retained rookies: TB
BRISBANE LIONS
Who’s leaving: TB
Who’s coming: TB
Draft picks (as of end of round 18): 15, 53, 62
Promoted rookies: TB
Retained rookies: TB
CARLTON
Who’s leaving: TB
Who’s coming: TB
Draft picks (as of end of round 18): 17, 37, 64, 65, 70
Promoted rookies: TB
Retained rookies: TB
COLLINGWOOD
Who’s leaving: Nathan Murphy (retired), Josh Carmichael (retired)
Who’s coming: TB
Draft picks (as of end of round 18): 26, 44, 45
Promoted rookies: TB
Retained rookies: TB
ESSENDO
Who’s leaving: TB
Who’s coming: TB
Draft picks (as of end of round 18): 13, 33
Promoted rookies: TB
Retained rookies: TB
FREMANTLE
Who’s leaving: TB
Who’s coming: TB
Draft picks (as of end of round 18): 7, 10, 14, 24, 60
Promoted rookies: TB
Retained rookies: TB
GEELONG
Who’s leaving: TB
Who’s coming: TB
Draft picks (as of end of round 18): 16, 36, 54, 72
Promoted rookies: TB
Retained rookies: TB
GOLD COAST SUNBATHING
Who’s leaving: TB
Who’s coming: TB
Draft picks (as of end of round 18): 8, 9, 20, 28, 35, 51, 71
Promoted rookies: TB
Retained rookies: TB
GWS GIANTS
Who’s leaving: TB
Who’s coming: TB
Draft picks (as of end of round 18): 12, 32, 50, 55, 68
Promoted rookies: TB
Retained rookies: TB
HAWTHORN
Who’s leaving: TB
Who’s coming: TB
Draft picks (as of end of round 18): 6, 27, 73, 74
Promoted rookies: TB
Retained rookies: TB
MELBOURNE
Who’s leaving: Angus Brayshaw (retired)
Who’s coming: TB
Draft picks (as of end of round 18): 11, 38, 42, 47, 67
Promoted rookies: TB
Retained rookies: TB
NORTH MELBOURNE
Who’s leaving: Tarryn Thomas (deleted)
Who’s coming: TB
Draft picks (as of end of round 18): 2, 22, 40, 58, 69
Promoted rookies: TB
Retained rookies: TB
PORT ADELAIDE
Who’s leaving: TB
Who’s coming: TB
Draft picks (as of end of round 18): 30, 48
Promoted rookies: TB
Retained rookies: TB
RICHMOND
Who’s leaving: TB
Who’s coming: TB
Draft picks (as of end of round 18): 1, 21, 34, 39, 41, 52, 57, 63, 66
Promoted rookies: TB
Retained rookies: TB
ST KILDA
Who’s leaving: TB
Who’s coming: TB
Draft picks (as of end of round 18): 4, 25, 49
Promoted rookies: TB
Retained rookies: TB
SYDNEY SWANS
Who’s leaving: Sam Reid (retired)
Who’s coming: TB
Draft picks (as of end of round 18): 18, 19, 56
Promoted rookies: TB
Retained rookies: TB
WEST COAST EAGLES
Who’s leaving: TB
Who’s coming: TB
Draft picks (as of end of round 18): 3, 23, 59
Promoted rookies: TB
Retained rookies: TB
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Who’s leaving: Aiden O’Driscoll (retired)
Who’s coming: TB
Draft picks (as of end of round 18): 29, 46
Promoted rookies: TB
Retained rookies: TB
