Adelaide
Champion full-back Ben Rutten will retire at the end of the year, as he announced earlier in the season. The club's oldest player James Podsiadly, 32, is contracted for next season, as are veteran defender Brent Reilly and midfielder Scott Thompson. Forward Jason Porplyzia's time at West Lakes appears over at the end of the year, with the 29-year-old stuck in the SANFL having played just four AFL games this year. Ruckman Angus Graham is in the final year of his contract and hasn't looked like breaking into the senior side since crossing from Richmond at the end of the 2012 season. It's very difficult to see the Crows extending his stay and if no other suitors appear, he would be likely to retire. – Harry Thring
Brisbane Lions
Since Justin Leppitsch's appointment as coach last year, he has preached a youth policy at the Lions. While repeated head injuries eventually accounted for champion forward Jonathan Brown's retirement, a mix of a new direction and persistent Achilles problems claimed Brent Moloney earlier in the week. Leppitsch has hinted the group will get "much younger" next year, and after his own injury troubles in 2014, the final link to the 2003 premiership, Ash McGrath, looks to be the next in line to call time. He was dropped at the weekend, and after 213 games appears to be down Leppitsch's pecking order. - Michael Whiting
Collingwood
Luke Ball turned 30 in May and has struggled with calf issues occasionally this season, but looks to have football left in him. As hard as a cat's head, he wins the ball and runs smart. He is also a good user of the ball going inside 50. With Nick Maxwell having pulled the pin earlier this season, Collingwood needs Ball's wise counsel and footy smarts. Free agent Quinten Lynch looks likely to hang up the boots after two years with Collingwood following a fine career at West Coast. Lynch, 31, broke his leg this year after playing 18 games and kicking nine goals at Collingwood – all in 2013. A premiership player at the Eagles in 209 games, he was not a recruiting success story. Ben Hudson, 35, has virtually retired after having a shoulder operation mid-year. It would be a brave man to tip Hudson into retirement however. He is more capable of comebacks than a comedian being heckled. However this looks like it for Hudson, who played 168 games with Adelaide, Western Bulldogs, the Brisbane Lions and Collingwood. – Peter Ryan
Quinten Lynch appears likely to hang up the boots. Picture: AFL Media
Carlton
Chris Judd has done a backflip on retirement plans and will play on again next season. Judd said on Monday he had decided some months ago to retire, but his form and the health of his body forced him to reconsider his decision. Andrew Carrazzo is contracted until the end of 2015, but has battled injury and inconsistent form this season, meaning he may re-consider his future. Veteran defender Heath Scotland has already retired, citing a degenerative ankle injury, to bring the curtain down on a decorated 268-game career. – Ben GuthrieFree agents: who will stay and who will go?
North Melbourne
With 30-year-old key defender Michael Firrito enjoying a strong campaign, it's possible the Roos won't have any veterans retire at the end of this season. Firrito is out of contract at the end of the year but is likely to be offered a new deal. Veteran midfielder Brent Harvey, who turns 37 in May, has committed to another campaign, while 31-year-old key forward Drew Petrie has another year to run on his contract. With North on an upward curve, it would be understandable if Petrie tries to eke as much from his body as possible. Nathan Grima has only just turned 29, but his well-documented injury woes have limited him to just 79 games in seven seasons and his body is likely to play a major role in his longevity. – Travis King
Essendon
Jason Winderlich last week announced he will be retiring at the end of the season, which was a surprise given his strong recent form. Winderlich was moved to defence by coach Mark Thompson and has been a revelation there with his skill and pace, and will be missed by the Bombers. A finger injury has sidelined Dustin Fletcher of late, with the veteran defender's future unclear. Already Essendon's record games-holder, he will be on the cusp of 400 games if he plays on into a 23rd AFL season. However that's a decision that is yet to be made, and will be the 39-year-old's alone. – Callum Twomey
Fremantle
A big question mark hangs over Luke McPharlin's future after the veteran defender suffered yet another calf injury last Saturday. Unlike Matthew Pavlich and Aaron Sandilands, McPharlin has not re-signed for 2015 and it seems increasingly unlikely that his body will allow him to play on next year. Kepler Bradley is understood to be considering his future at AFL level. The 27-year-old signed a one-year deal at the end of last season as he recovered from a knee reconstruction. He has returned to WAFL football but has not been considered for senior selection. He continues to have ongoing hamstring troubles that are a by-product of his knee operation. – Alex Malcolm
Luke McPharlin's body has betrayed him in 2014. Picture: AFL Media
Geelong
The Cats have a few players who have ticked past 30 years of age, but only one of them, Corey Enright, is a chance to retire at the end of this season. The five-time All Australian, who has played 283 games since making his debut in 2001, turns 33 next month. He is expected to hang up his boots when Geelong's 2014 campaign comes to an end, but he says he has not made up his mind yet. "I just want to put all my focus into this year and give us the best chance (of winning the premiership) that we can," Enright said after his outstanding performance in the Cats' two-point win over Fremantle. Fellow triple premiership players Jimmy Bartel (31 in December), James Kelly (31 in December) and Steve Johnson (turned 31 last month) all have at least one more year left in them at the highest level. – Adam McNicol
Gold Coast
They have one of the League's youngest lists, but following Nathan Bock's retirement last month, and then Tom Murphy's on Tuesday, the Suns still may have one more retiree in their ranks. Former Melbourne defender Matthew Warnock has been at the club for three seasons and helped the young defensive unit immeasurably, but has fallen out of the rotation and is odds-on to hang up the boots. Just like Bock and Murphy during their respective stints, Warnock was recruited to teach the ropes to the likes of Steven May, Rory Thompson, Clay Cameron and Seb Tape, and has done a marvelous job. All three men have been terrific acquisitions for the Suns but it's time the youngsters took over on a full-time basis. - Michael Whiting
Greater Western Sydney
Delisted by the Western Bulldogs at the end of last season, the Giants decided to throw Dylan Addison a lifeline by offering him a one-year deal. He has had an influence on the young side with his training standards, but has only managed five senior games to date and is unlikely to go on in 2015. Josh Hunt has played 12 matches since shifting from Geelong to take his tally past 200, but at 32 is also unlikely to continue beyond this season. Fellow defender Stephen Gilham could also be an interesting part of this discussion. Off contract, he declared in an interview with AFL.com.au back in January his determination to earn a contract beyond 2014, and he only turns 30 next month. But hamstring and hand injuries have limited him to just one game this year and it remains to be seen what direction the club decides to take with the 2008 premiership winner. – James Dampney
Hawthorn
The ageing Hawks have no confirmed retirees, but need to carefully manage the exits of some of their premiership heroes in the coming seasons. Midfield workhorse Brad Sewell might bring down the curtain on his illustrious career after this season. Sewell only turns 31 next February, but hamstring issues have plagued the 2007 club champion. Ruckman David Hale, who turned 30 in May, is contracted until the end of next year. However, a second premiership combined with the emergence of Jonathon Ceglar and Luke Lowden could give the former Kangaroo something to think about post-season. Shaun Burgoyne, 32 in October, has signed on for his 15th season, while 32-year-old full-back Brian Lake is also likely to play on in 2015. Sam Mitchell, who celebrates his 32nd birthday in October, has another year left on his contract. How his body holds up could determine whether the star midfielder continues in 2016. – Travis King
The ageing Hawks have no confirmed retirees, but need to carefully manage the exits of some of their premiership heroes in the coming seasons. Midfield workhorse Brad Sewell might bring down the curtain on his illustrious career after this season. Sewell only turns 31 next February, but hamstring issues have plagued the 2007 club champion. Ruckman David Hale, who turned 30 in May, is contracted until the end of next year. However, a second premiership combined with the emergence of Jonathon Ceglar and Luke Lowden could give the former Kangaroo something to think about post-season. Shaun Burgoyne, 32 in October, has signed on for his 15th season, while 32-year-old full-back Brian Lake is also likely to play on in 2015. Sam Mitchell, who celebrates his 32nd birthday in October, has another year left on his contract. How his body holds up could determine whether the star midfielder continues in 2016. – Travis King
Hawks veteran Brad Sewell has battled with injury this season. Picture: AFL Media
Melbourne
Melbourne has already parted ways with Mitch Clark following his retirement earlier this year. The loss of Clark has been a huge blow to the Demons' forward line structure this season, although the club understands his personal circumstances could not be helped. Shannon Byrnes has also pulled the pin, finishing his career on 131 games after succumbing to a season-ending ankle injury. Veteran ruckman Mark Jamar is contracted for another season, but will almost certainly bow out at the end of 2015. The state of Melbourne's list suggests it is more about players being delisted at the end of the year, rather than retirements. – Ben Guthrie
North Melbourne
With 30-year-old key defender Michael Firrito enjoying a strong campaign, it's possible the Roos won't have any veterans retire at the end of this season. Firrito is out of contract at the end of the year but is likely to be offered a new deal. Veteran midfielder Brent Harvey, who turns 37 in May, has committed to another campaign, while 31-year-old key forward Drew Petrie has another year to run on his contract. With North on an upward curve, it would be understandable if Petrie tries to eke as much from his body as possible. Nathan Grima has only just turned 29, but his well-documented injury woes have limited him to just 79 games in seven seasons and his body is likely to play a major role in his longevity. – Travis King
Port Adelaide
The Power's oldest player at the start of 2014, Dom Cassisi, 31, retired after the club's round 18 win over Melbourne, while Kane Cornes signed on for next season. On such a young list there are few others who would contemplate retiring at season's end, certainly not due to age. Tom Logan is yet to re-sign for 2015, but at 29 and still playing some brilliant football in the SANFL he could attract interest if not offered another contract at Alberton. Injured ruckman Brent Renouf was delisted by the Power last season before being re-drafted as a rookie, only to suffer a season-ending knee injury. Unless he's retained for 2015, which appears unlikely, it could be the end of the line. – Harry Thring
Ex-Power skipper Dom Cassisi enjoyed a fond farewell with victory over Melbourne. Picture: AFL Media
Richmond
Former captain Chris Newman wants to play into a 14th season but acknowledges it will be his body that dictates whether that happens. The 32-year-old battled a calf issue earlier in the season but has managed to string six games together without interruption since round 15. He's on a 12-month contract and will weigh up how he's feeling in the coming weeks. If he does retire, he will join forward Jake King, who hung up the boots immediately last month because of a debilitating and persistent toe injury. Orren Stephenson is the next oldest Tiger behind Newman, and after being needed for just one senior game this season, it's not known what he'll be doing next year although he has been playing well in the VFL of late and is handy to have around if the list encounters a big-man injury crisis. - Jennifer Phelan
Sydney Swans
Following a frustrating 10-month stint on the sidelines with a knee injury, Adam Goodes finally got back in the team in round six this year and has strung together 14 matches. The overriding sentiment seems to be that he will go on, but would a third premiership tempt him to hang up the boots? Ryan O'Keefe hasn't played a senior game since round four and his manager recently flagged his intention to seek opportunities elsewhere, although that was disputed by Swans coach John Longmire. Lewis Roberts-Thomson is another who has suffered from the Swans' newfound depth, while injuries have also taken a toll. He has decided that enough is enough. That leaves Rhyce Shaw, who has struggled with injuries the past two years. He will be 33 next season, but has averaged 22 disposals and five marks in 15 games this year and hasn't lost his pace, so a 15th season wouldn't be a shock. – James Dampney
St Kilda
There will be a sense of sadness when Lenny Hayes plays his last game, not just for St Kilda supporters but through the wider football world. The popular Saint's last game in Melbourne will be against Richmond at the MCG in round 22. There could be more veterans joining Hayes in retirement, with defender Sam Fisher keen to play on but approaching the end of his two-year contract. Adam Schneider signed a one-year deal to play on in 2014 and he is yet to commit beyond this season after managing just nine games so far. The Saints face important list decisions on long-time servants Clint Jones and James Gwilt, who are coming out of contract and could be replaced by young talent in a rebuilding team. Beau Maister has already retired after undergoing shoulder surgery earlier this season. – Nathan Schmook
Lenny Hayes leaves the field after his final home game with St Kilda. Picture: AFL Media
West Coast
Darren Glass retired immediately after round 12 and Dean Cox announced he is going finish his illustrious playing career at the end of the season. Time is running out to see Cox play, with the form of Nic Naitanui and Scott Lycett is making life difficult for the Eagles' match committee. Beau Waters has another year to run on his contract and despite some speculation about the possibility of immediate retirement he is optimistic that his troublesome shoulder will heal well enough for him to return to action in 2015. Sam Butler is another who has had significant injury issues in his 11-year career and might have been pondering his future but his form over the past month suggests he can be an important cog to the Eagles line-up next year. – Alex Malcolm
Western Bulldogs
With Tom Williams finally calling time mid-season on an 85-game career ruined by injury, veteran Daniel Giansiracusa looms as the only Bulldog likely to hang up the boots at the end of the season. The 262-game veteran will transition into an assistant coaching role with the club in 2015. Former skipper Matthew Boyd has indicated he wants continue his 236-game career for at least another season, and the prolific midfielder's strong form this year has all but guaranteed him a new contract. Out of favour for most of the season, running defender Brett Goodes will probably need to find another club if he wants extend his AFL career beyond the 15 games he's played across two seasons at Whitten Oval. – Ryan Davidson
