If this off-season has taught us anything, it’s to expect the unexpected when it comes to AFL player movement.

While pre-agency dominated the trade period with the likes of Lachie Neale and Dylan Shiel shifting clubs a year before they were set to come out of contract, there are still plenty of interesting expiring contracts left on the table in 2019.

The likes of Marcus Bontempelli and Stephen Coniglio are odds-on to re-sign with their current teams, but there is another group who find themselves at different stages in their careers, and some who might benefit from a change of scene.

Stephen Hill

Free agent status: Restricted

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Games: 203 | Disposal average: 19.72 | Goals: 111

When Stephen Hill is playing his best football almost every possession will result in a scoring opportunity for Fremantle. But he hasn’t really been at his best for a few years because of injury and the state of the Dockers’ list. The club’s freefall from contention has seen Hill try to change his game and win more of his own football, which he has done for stretches, but the result has been a drop in his outside touches and a banged-up body. Quad problems wrecked his 2018 season and at 29 years old next year, he needs to start thinking about whether he will still be there when the Dockers return to the pointy end of the ladder. The likes of Essendon and Hawthorn would love a wingman of Hill’s quality, as would GWS if they can get him for the right price. All signs point to him sticking around at Freo, where his brother Bradley is locked away for another three years too, but if he wants to win a flag he’s got a big decision to make.

Josh Kelly

Free agent status: N/A

Games: 100 | Disposal average: 23.29 | Goals: 63

The last time he came out of contract it started a frenzy, with North Melbourne attempting to back the truck up and lure him south on a nine-year offer worth reportedly somewhere in the ballpark of $10 million. Things will be no different if he goes through 2019 without signing an extension. Kelly was in the conversation as one of the five best midfielders in the game before injury struck last season, and about to turn 24 years old, he still has a hell of a lot of footy left in him. His 2017 numbers were ridiculous - 29.5 disposals per game, 4.88 clearances, 6.5 tackles and 5.04 inside 50s - in fact almost eight per cent of the Giants’ inside-50s for the year came off his boot and 11 per cent of the clearances were down to him as well. He wins it inside, he uses it well outside and he creates scoring chances at will - ranked as elite for both inside 50s and score assists, per AFL Stats Pro. North will come again, but Kelly is a player that any club would want in their midfield... provided they can find the cash.

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Matthew Kreuzer

Free agent status: Unrestricted

Games: 173 | Disposal average: 12.39 | Hit-out average: 20.24

Matthew Kreuzer’s story is one of frustration. Since being selected with the first pick in the 2007 draft he’s never quite managed to find that sweet spot between developing into his game and staying on the park. There was one season of hope, however, and that season was 2017. After playing 21 games the previous season, the ruckman went through the year virtually injury-free and wound up the sixth most effective player in the competition according to HPNFooty’s PAV rating system. But it was a short-lived a moment in the sun. Pushing through minor injuries at the start of 2018, Kreuzer ended the season on the sidelines after multiple heart irregularities. How he comes back from that, and if he comes back from that, will be key. There’s every chance, if he does return, that his time in the game is seriously limited. And if a contending club is willing to carry him through and limit his minutes on the ground in order to have a quality ruckman on hand for finals it might be enough to see him round out his career in colours other than navy blue. If a club takes the punt they’ll be getting an adept tap ruckman and great decision-maker who can have an impact in the middle and up forward. The Bombers and Giants could be two clubs to ask the question.

Camera Icon Kreuzer could be tempting for clubs needing a ruckman to get over the hump. Credit: Getty Images

Jack Martin

Free agent status: N/A

Games: 81 | Disposal average: 16 | Goals: 73

Rumours about Jack Martin being on the trade table last month proved fruitless, but that doesn’t mean a move is out of the question at the end of next season. The fact that he’s playing at the Suns means most of the footy public don’t have any idea how good this bloke is. His versatility, marking ability and football IQ are all of the highest order. AFL Stats Pro have him rated elite out of all midfielders for contested marks, kicking efficiency, marks inside 50 and intercept marks - and midfielders that good overhead don’t grow on trees. Games where he gathers more than 25 disposals are rare, but almost half of his touches are impact disposals, making him more potent than the average mid. It’s been reported that Essendon wanted him badly during the trade period, so you can expect them to be linked again. Collingwood is another club who could use some better ball use through defence and the midfield, but realistically there will be a host of clubs asking the question. Gold Coast will be able to offer the most cash, the only issue will be showing him why he should stay.

Camera Icon Martin is underexposed on the Gold Coast, but highly-rated around the league. Credit: AFL Media

Jack Billings

Free agent status: N/A

Games: 85 | Disposal average: 20.31 | Goals: 64

For whatever reasons, things just haven’t really clicked for Jack Billings and St Kilda. His fellow draftees in 2013 rated him as the best of their group because of his ability to break games apart through the middle while still being an incredibly dangerous goal-kicker. He’s had his moments at the Saints, the best of which was 2017 when he finished with a PAV rating just outside the league’s top 50. But those moments haven’t lasted, to the point where found himself in the VFL halfway through last season. Sometimes you just need a fresh start, and Billings’ talent means there will be plenty of opportunities if he wants to look elsewhere. The Saints won’t want to lose him, and if they make a jump this year there might be enough interest on both sides to tie him down for another two years, when he becomes eligible for free agency. But if he takes another step backwards like he did this year, it will be a contract situation worth monitoring.