Veteran Blue, Essendon midfielder among dozens of AFL players still in contract limbo

Well over a dozen AFL players remain in contract limbo following the trade period, with uncertain futures ahead of them.

Most clubs tend to keep a few unsigned players around to this point in case trades fall through or list spots emerge and there are some intriguing names still waiting around for news.

Every club has made a number of de-listings already, but will need to either make more or re-sign those remaining.

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One of those is North Melbourne midfielder Will Phillips, who was taken with pick three in the 2020 National Draft.

Phillips has played 43 games for the club, but has struggled to match the pre-draft expectations and now finds himself on the outer at the Roos.

Also in that camp is Cooper Harvey - the son of all-time games record holder, Brent - who doesn't have a contract with the Kangaroos either.

The son of the 400-game legend played the final seven games of the 2025 season, kicking four goals against Melbourne.

Roos wingman Darcy Tucker, a veteran of 156-games, is also waiting to find out if he will be offered a new deal.

Carlton has the most remaining decisions to make of any team. Key defender Mitch McGovern, 31, has fallen from star trade recruit to fringe member of the list, but his chances of a new contract increased when the Blues failed to get a trade done for Bulldogs defender Buku Khamis.

The Dogs opted to keep the contracted Khamis despite him requesting a trade to Carlton, and McGovern might have been the club's Plan B.

The Blues also have a quartet of youngsters in Flynn Young, Harry Charleson, Rob Monahan and Will White who remain without deals for 2026.

More interestingly is the Elijah Hollands situation. The talented midfielder is contracted for 2026, but Carlton hasn't ruled out ripping up his deal following a tumultuous year off the field.

Speaking with The Age, Hollands admitted to severe mental health and alcohol problems, but remains hopeful he will return to Princes Park next year.

Essendon midfielder Will Setterfield has been plagued by injuries across his career and is still unsigned at the Dons, who cut former first round pick Ben Hobbs on Monday.

Veteran Gold Coast utility Nick Holman is out of contract after 147 games for the club. After such a busy trade period his spot may come down to list numbers.

Richmond midfielders Tyler Sonsie and Thomson Dow remain in limbo, while St Kilda defender Ryan Byrnes has also been left waiting.

The Bulldogs have cut Norm Smith Medallist Jason Johannisen and wingman Caleb Poulter, but are yet to make calls on Nick Coffield or Oskar Baker, who they have brought in from rival clubs in recent years.

Brisbane's Callum Ah Chee is in the same boat as everyone else here, but knows he will be on an AFL list next year.

The dual premiership Lion requested a trade to Adelaide, but the teams couldn't come to an agreement on a deal.

This means Ah Chee will likely join the Crows via the pre-season draft and will earn over $1m in 2026 in order to scare off other interested teams.

He could also technically return to the Lions, and they're open to having him back, but that route appears unlikely.