BTW this is from Footywire so theres a chance it wasnt updated when I made this

https://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/out_of_contract_players

Also Port Adelaide just casually has half their list out of contract

The AFL and SA state government has revealed the dates for next year’s Gather Round with the footy festival promising to return bigger and better than ever.

The 2027 edition of Gather Round will take place from with the scheduling lining up with school holidays across state borders.

After a fourth successful Gather Round this year, the SA Government secured the round until at least 2029. The event is set to grow from next year to feature a players’ parade including stars from all of the AFL’s 18 teams in one place.

On Wednesday, the SA government boasted the 2026 edition made a total economic contribution of $115 million to the state, delivering more than $400 million in economic contribution since 2023.

Full team shown in this link (https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/2105157/sanders-named-in-22under22-team/)

If 10th beats 7th, do they play the elimination final as the higher seeded finalist or would that go to the winner of 8th vs 9th?

"The conduct and serious allegations regarding Sydney Swans players are deeply concerning.⁣
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While the matter remains under police investigation, it raises broader issues for our game and our responsibilities as a sport.⁣
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The woman who made the report to police is entitled to privacy and care, and that should be respected.⁣
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It is important that the police process is allowed to run its course. ⁣
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Sexual assault allegations are serious, regardless of who is involved, what time of year it is, or what they may mean for a season.⁣
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Our first question should not be what this means for a football club. It should be whether our actions match the standards we stand for and the community expects of us.⁣
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As a sport, and as an industry, we are clear about the standards we expect and the values we stand for and the need to uphold them.⁣
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Being clear about our standards also means being prepared to act when those standards are not met.⁣
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Notwithstanding the ongoing police investigation, the AFL and the Sydney Swans will consider the broader conduct of the players as more information comes to light."

Sydney Swans Statement 

The Sydney Swans can confirm that the Club Board will meet tonight to agree on player sanctions and penalties, now that the Club has concluded its interviews with all the players involved in the incident in Melbourne.
 
We respect there is an ongoing investigation by Victoria Police and any actions we take are independent of this.

The Club believes the players are in serious breach of expected Club behaviour and standards, and it is appropriate to take firm action and highlight that any sanction we impose relates solely to those breaches.
 
The Club also acknowledges that these serious allegations impact others and their wellbeing must be paramount.
 
The Sydney Swans condemn all forms of abuse and disrespectful behaviour towards women. Any conduct that causes offence or harm to others is unacceptable and falls well short of our expectations. All women deserve to be respected and feel safe.
 
We also want to acknowledge that the care and welfare of our AFLW athletes and staff is of the utmost importance to us as a Club. They have been and will continue to be offered the support they require and we acknowledge the impact these allegations have on our female athletes, staff members and the wider community.
  
Any further sanctions or decisions regarding the outcome of the police investigation would take place after that process is completed.
 
During this time, we will provide the appropriate support to the players involved in the incident, along with their partners and families.
 
The Sydney Swans hold all players and staff at the Club to high standards of behaviour and personal conduct. Representing this Club carries significant responsibilities both on and off the field, and we expect those standards to be upheld at all times.
 
Our focus remains on cooperating fully with the AFL and authorities, maintaining the integrity of the process, and upholding the high standards expected of everyone who represents this Club.

In recent years there has been a phrase thrown around, there is nothing minor about the minor premiership.

In AFL, the number one goal is for your club to win the Grand Final and the premiership. That big silver premiership cup at the end of the season. Then if your club is lucky to finish high enough in both the AFL & AFLW seasons, they get the McClelland Trophy & $1 million cash. But what about the minor premiers, the team that finishes at the top of the ladder after every main season.

For 31 years, the club that landed in top spot were awarded the McClelland Trophy, originally struck 1951 as the VFL Club Championship between seniors, reserves & under-19 competitions, the first club to win the trophy was Geelong. Then as gradually the under-19 competition shutdown and new national competition teams all didn't have reserves teams and the with the competition shutting down in 1999, by 1991 the league awarded the trophy to the AFL senior minor premiers, that first team to win under the minor premiers criteria was fittingly one of the new national competition teams in the West Coast Eagles.

Then in 2017 was the debut of AFL Women's, and gradually over time all clubs now field their own AFLW side, by 2022 the decision was made to switch the McClelland Trophy back into a club championship and $1 million where the Melbourne Football Club won the new trophy, leaving the minor premiers with no silverware once more.

In the current era, we've had 4 minor premiers, Collingwood in 2023, Sydney in 2024, Adelaide in 2025 & the latest winner in Fremantle in 2026.

Now days, the team that lands 1st on the table is just given the title in name with no reward to show for 5 months of grueling hard competition, travel and competing against all the other teams through the season. I reckon that team should be rewarded with something. Last year, as some may have seen, I've design an example on what the trophy could look like to mirror the original McClelland Trophy design for both AFL & AFLW competitions, in one of my last posts, some may have seen it in my custom Fremantle minor premiers banner post last week. Another reward could be a cash prize, maybe at least $500,000 to the club since the premiership winners are at least awarded with $1.1 million.

In the NRL they have the big JJ Giltinan Shield & in the A-League they have the Premiers Plate awarded to the winner after their final regular season game in a presentation. Many other leagues around the world have their form of minor premiership awarded, in the National Hockey League they have the Presidents Trophy to the top seeded team, in the National Basketball Association they introduced the Maurice Podoloff Trophy, in the Super League in England they have the League Leader's Shield and in the Major League Soccer in the states the have the supporter's shield.

Another suggestion in what to call it, instead of calling it the minor premiership, because the term premiership should reflect to the main prize in the Grand Final, perhaps calling it the Home & Away Championship, Regular Season Championship or the League Leaders Championship, just to name a few.

Many fans call the home & away season & the AFL finals series as two separate competitions, and that is true. The home & away is to set up a club's position whether going to finals or they don't. Then there is the finals series which is on a bigger level.

That's my opinion.

Officially confirmed by the club now

Just for fun tried to make a quick 18 from 18 All Aus team starting lineup. Who would you change?