The AFL Silly Season officially gets underway today, with the restricted free agency offer period. It’s the first of what is something like seven distinct player movement periods that take place between now and the final 2016 list lodgement with the AFL on December 1.

You’re already up to speed on the hippy hap, thanks to The Roar‘s own Josh Elliott earlier in the week. You know your restricted free agents from your unrestricted free agents from your delisted free agents.

Right now, there’s a list of 77 players that have earned – or have had forced upon them – status as a player in control of their destiny. There’s a lot of ways to cut said list: by team, by name, by status. They’re all boring though. You know what’s not boring?

Totally subjective power rankings!

That’s right, sports fans, I have ranked each and every AFL free agent in 2015. One through 77 (right now).

As of Thursday, October 8, the Giants and Swans haven’t released their first list culls, which aren’t due until October 30. This list will be updated at the various delisting points, and as players sign on to new teams. It is safe to say that most of the players in the top 30 will retain their ranking, for reasons you’ll see as we get down past those depths.

Why do we care about players ranked that low? Well, last season, Taylor Hunt was delisted by Geelong, only to be picked up by Richmond and end up a 20-game player. There are diamonds to be found in the AFL free agency rough, even if they’re not flawless.

Speaking of which, let’s get started at the pointy end.

1. Patrick Dangerfield | Adelaide Crows | Restricted
It couldn’t be anyone else in 2015. Dangerfield is a top-five player in the AFL right now, a status which will likely be confirmed early in the trade period as the AFL determine what Adelaide could receive as a free agency compensation pick. His desire is to move to Geelong, even if it doesn’t make the most sense from a football perspective, and now all that remains is how the deal is done. He’ll be a foundation-shifting piece for the Cats, or indeed whichever club he ends up at if it’s not the hoops.

2. Matthew Leuenberger | Brisbane Lions | Restricted
The Brisbane ruckman has also long telegraphed his decision to move, although his potential destination is more uncertain. Leuenberger will be a primary ruckman wherever he ends up, able to add at least four years of good production to his new team. The Lions expect to earn some form of free agency compensation, although it remains to be seen whether it will be a second or third round selection.

3. Brent Stanton | Essendon | Unrestricted
Stanton has been on the record as ‘uncommitted’ to his current club for 2016 onwards, and heading into the free agency period is yet to put pen to paper. There’s been very little news either way on his prospects, meaning it’s difficult to assess whether he stays or goes. At 29, and with Essendon looking to start a comprehensive rebuild, the Dons may cut their losses and give the compensation chocolate wheel a spin.

At his peak, Stanton was among the game’s best running midfielders, and has had a relatively unblemished injury history. Now pushing 30, he would be a welcome addition to clubs around the top of the ladder looking for a solid citizen, dedicated to his craft to add depth through the middle of the ground.

4. Jed Adcock | Brisbane Lions | Delisted
In a somewhat puzzling move from Brisbane, former captain Adcock was informed in August that he wouldn’t be receiving a new contract from the Lions come the end of the year. It means rather than potentially receiving some compensation if Adcock is to find a new home, the Lions get nothing.

Anyway, Adcock, like Stanton, is a solid football citizen that could add something to a club intent on rising up the ladder. With just over 200 games under his belt, there’s at least two or three good years still left in the Victorian, and there’s no doubt he’ll find a new home somewhere in the league.

5. Scott Selwood | West Coast Eagles | Restricted
At just 25, and with a structural injury enforced lay-off keeping him out of the game for much of the past two seasons, Selwood has the whole second half of his career ahead of him. Seemingly out of favour in his current locale, he would be a walk-up starter for a number of other teams in the league. Selwood’s name has been linked to Geelong at this point, with West Coast’s decision whether to match any deal looming as the key juncture on his critical path.

6. Steve Johnson | Geelong | Delisted
Johnson’s fireworks became more sparklers as his career entered its 14th season at Geelong in 2015. He spent more time forward of the ball than at the peak of his powers, ending up second on the Cats’ goal-kicking table with 30 majors for the year. At 32, another two years would be a stretch, but it’s possible, particularly if Johnson was to spend even more time inside the forward 50. We all know what he’s capable on a good day. Can you imagine if he ended up at Hawthorn?

7. Matthew Suckling | Hawthorn | Unrestricted
Now a two-time premiership player, and a key part of Hawthorn’s system, the prospect of Suckling changing clubs may be diminishing. There was talk earlier in the year that he may seek greener pastures, but, well, does it get much greener than Hawthorn right now? However, at 27, he could still be around in 2020, and offers a mid-table team a good user in prime age that could grow with a premiership list. What’s better than two premierships with one club? Three with two clubs.

8. Jarrad Grant | Western Bulldogs | Unrestricted
Currently listed as an unrestricted free agent, there’s a large chance Grant ends the football year without a contract offer from the Dogs. After this season, it’s fair to say the young talent at Whitten Oval may mean Grant is surplus to requirements – although he did play 19 games this year, including the entire second half of the season. He could stay, but would certainly be picked up by a team looking for a third forward on the cheap.

9. Brendan Whitecross | Hawthorn | Unrestricted
Everyone at Hawthorn gets an opportunity at a flag, except if your name is Brendan Whitecross. The 25-year-old half-back was a regular as the Hawks rose up the ladder in 2011 and 2012, but lost his spot and never quite regained it. Like Suckling, as far as clubs go he’s probably at the best one in the land, but could the lure of regular playing time jar him out? I could see a Xavier Ellis-type situation here – a decent user of the ball but with good footy IQ (which is a pre-requisite if you’re a Hawk) moving to a new club and bringing his Hawk-given talents.

10. Clinton Young | Collingwood | Delisted
I’ll admit I had forgotten about Young, who was brought into the Pies from Hawthorn with a reputation as an excellent user of the ball. He battled injury and form issues in his time with Collingwood, and with the Pies now seemingly content with a developing back six has lost his spot. Young would be worth a flyer from a developing team, and would no doubt come on the cheap given he’s played 21 games of AFL football in the past three seasons.

11. James Kelly | Geelong | Delisted
Kelly has probably retired, but Geelong have left him with a parting gift by lodging his departure from the club as a delisting rather than a retirement. He could pop up somewhere, and would still get a game on most sides, but I suspect he’ll be content to end his AFL career as a one-club player.

12. Mark Jamar | Melbourne | Delisted
The stoic ruckman was tossed by the Dees, despite sticking fat with the club during their darkest days. Jamar was still a strong contributor to Melbourne’s 2015 campaign, and could be a depth player not unlike Ben Hudson was for Brisbane and Collingwood after he exited the Western Bulldogs. I’ve got no idea where, though.

13. Michael Firrito | North Melbourne | Unrestricted
Firrito arguably had his best year in half a decade, as North Melbourne made it to their second straight preliminary final. His greatest strength is versatility, with the chops to play tall and small. Won’t be moved on – North need defenders – and can’t see him wanting a move given the position his team is in.

14. Matthew Stokes | Geelong | Unrestricted
Like Kelly, Stokes looks set to spend his days grazing on a green paddock. There’s been some speculation linking him to a coupe of Melbourne clubs; as this list implies he’s not the worst available free agent on the board here.

15. Courtenay Dempsey | Essendon | Unrestricted
The streaky Bomber half-back flanker has played games in 2015 in a manner that suggests he’s had a lobotomy. He’s shown some decent signs in the past, but hasn’t played more than 20 games since 2012. At 28 could be worth a flyer on something close to the minimum salary, but even then he’s a big performance risk.

16. Patrick McGinnity | West Coast | Unrestricted
He’s the definition of a club man, and has the heart of a horse. These things do not make up for his skill limitations. McGinnity will be 27 coming into 2015, but for the price he’s likely to fetch from rival clubs (aka not much more than he is probably on now) he’ll likely sit pat at a premiership contender.

17. Matthew Pavlich | Fremantle | Unrestricted
It’s one more year at Fremantle or zero more years anywhere for Fremantle’s greatest player. His strength and nous are enough to remain an AFL player, albeit one that largely plays like a Chain Chomp staked in the ground in the goal square.

18. Dennis Armfield | Carlton | Unrestricted
Another foot soldier, could see him sticking at Carlton as a depth player, or playing that role at another club. Reliable, cheap 29-year-old AFL players don’t grow on trees, after all.

19. Dawson Simpson | Geelong | Unrestricted
Simpson looks set to become a victim of Geelong’s tall player recruitment strategy. Injury risks aside, he would be a solid back-up (third) ruck option on any team that doesn’t have one.

20. Ryan Crowley | Fremantle | Delisted
My read is it’s Fremantle or bust for Crowley. Before his 12-month ban, he was the pre-eminent tagger in the game – it looks like Ross Lyon has evolved beyond him, though. By all reports he’s well liked and a great worker, so that he was delisted suggest he’s lost the confidence of the coach and list managers. Will he make it back as a rookie?

21. Lachie Keeffe | Collingwood | Delisted
Both Keeffe and his fellow missteppper Josh Thomas will be rookie listed by the Pies as they serve their two-year ASADA bans. Keeffe has shown enough in his 40 games to suggest he’s an AFL player, and 200 centimetres is the new 190 centimetres in attack and defence.

22. Sam Dwyer | Collingwood | Delisted
Dwyer was a late bloomer, not drafted by the Pies until he was 26 after a near-decade stint in the VFL. In his first year, Dwyer played as a half-forward with occasional trips through the middle of the ground. Like many of the late 20s players around this part of the list, Dwyer is a victim of youth. Would be worth a flyer for a young team, but age is the issue.

23. Rohan Bail | Melbourne | Delisted
Another middle-aged solid citizen, Bail was a victim of Melbourne’s developing midfield group in 2015. A few years ago he was a decent half-forward flanker, and could find a home as a depth player. But as we get lower and lower on this list, the chances of that happening reduce.

24. Scott McMahon | North Melbourne | Delisted
What’s that about North Melbourne needing defenders? After a promising start to his career, McMahon never really locked his spot down in the Roos side during his prime years. Probably finished now, but AFL footballers don’t grow on trees remember.

25. Brodie Martin | Adelaide Crows | Delisted
After a solid run in 2014, Martin fell out of favour this season in playing just three games for the Crows. Not much more than a depth player, but a proven one at that, he could end up back at Adelaide as a rookie or equally could return to the SANFL, which was his main playing ground between 2011 and 2013.

26. Tayte Pears | Essendon | Unrestricted
Outside of his sophomore season, Pears has played just 47 of a possible 157 games for the Bombers. The departure of Jake Carlisle makes things a little more interesting for Pears, sure, but if he was seen as a key plank of their forward line he would have been given more opportunities by now. Where does he go, though?

27. Ayce Cordy | Western Bulldogs | Delisted
Oh Ayce. He’s been the target of so much ridicule throughout his career. And it looks like the AFL world will have to find a new target.

28. Josh Thomas | Collingwood | Delisted
The second of Collingwood’s bad boys, Thomas will be rookie listed by the Pies while he serves out his drug ban. Ironically, it’s probably saved his AFL career, at least in the short term.

29. Mitch Golby | Brisbane | Delisted
Ouch. Delisted, just as you’re getting into your prime by the league’s basketcase. Golby played 56 games for the Lions after being taken as a fourth round pick in 2011. He’s probably got some value there given his age, but how much brand damage has he incurred at the Lions?

30. Jordie McKenzie | Melbourne | Delisted
His biggest claim to fame is being included in the 1116 SEN Pure Footy intro tape. A fourth round pick, McKenzie managed 79 games during Melbourne’s darkest days, which must earn him some credits. But one game in 2015 suggests he’s probably done as an AFL player.

31. Josh Deluca | Fremantle | Delisted
Deluca hasn’t played an AFL game, but the Dockers are keen to relist him through the rookie draft. At 19 he’s still in his embryonic stage as far as AFL footballers go, so there must be something that Fremantle’s hierarchy see.

Alright, now we’re getting into near-impossible to quantify territory – a list of players that are largely rookies or recent draft picks that, for one reason or another, barely made it on to the field. If a 56-game Golby is likely done, then I don’t how to describe these guys.

The list below is largely based on total games played, original draft position, games played in 2015, and age at the start of the 2016 season. When these don’t produce a definitive split, I’ll look at things like surnames, situations or particularly memorable on-field events – mostly for the lols. It’s 40 per cent science, 40 per cent art, and 20 per cent for comedy reasons.

32. Tony Armstrong | Collingwood | Delisted

33. Matthew Watson | Carlton | Delisted
Seen as Carlton’s version of Joel Selwood when he was drafted at pick 18 in 2010, Watson was close to a complete flame out. He could end up on a list somewhere, but it’s a very outside chance of happening.

34. Tom Simpkin | St Kilda | Delisted
As far as eighth round picks go, Tom Simpkin has done quite well in making it to five seasons with the Saints.

35. Arryn Siposs | St Kilda | Delisted

36. Aidan Riley | Melbourne | Delisted

37. Brett Goodes | Western Bulldogs | Delisted
Guess he goes back to being the Doggies fitness guru now, hey?

38. Jack Fitzpatrick | Melbourne | Delisted

39. Sam Darley | Western Bulldogs | Delisted

40. Jarrad Redden | Port Adelaide | Delisted

41. Matt McDonough | Richmond | Delisted

42. Daniel Pearce | Western Bulldogs | Delisted

43. Lauchlan Dalgleish | Essendon | Delisted

44. Spencer White | St Kilda | Delisted
Another high pick flameout, White played just two games for the Saints in three years after being taken at pick 25.

45. Max Duffy | Fremantle | Delisted

46. Alex Woodward | Hawthorn | Delisted

47. Blaine Johnson | Carlton | Delisted
Props for the name.

48. Louis Herbert | Gold Coast | Delisted

49. Jordon Bourke | Brisbane | Delisted

50. Josh Hall | Gold Coast | Delisted

51. Matt Arnot | Richmond | Delisted

52. Kurt Aylett | Essendon | Delisted

53. Max Warren | North Melbourne | Delisted

54. Sam Grimley | Hawthorn | Delisted

55. Sam Siggins | Adelaide | Delisted
Every player below Siggins never cracked the senior side, so the remainder of the list is based mostly on their respective career longevity and their 2016 age. But its fair to say these guys won’t be on AFL lists in 2016. Sam Siggins gets the highest rank because Sam Siggins is an eminently pronounceable name.

56. Jacob Ballard | Fremantle | Delisted

57. Mitch Harvey | Port Adelaide | Delisted

58. Matthew Fuller | Western Bulldogs | Delisted

59. Cameron Giles | Carlton | Delisted

60. Daniel Markworth | St Kilda | Delisted

61. Mason Shaw | Port Adelaide | Delisted

62. Jack Osborn | Adelaide | Delisted

63. Jarred Ellis | Gold Coast | Delisted

64. Sam Russell | Port Adelaide | Delisted

65. Rowen Powell | West Coast | Delisted

66. Will Maginness | West Coast | Delisted

67. Jared Hardisty | Hawthorn | Delisted

68. Dylan Main | West Coast | Delisted

69. Anthony Wilson | Adelaide | Delisted

70. Fraser Russell | Carlton | Delisted

71. Craig Moller | Fremantle | Delisted

72. Will Maginness | West Coast | Delisted

73. Johann Wagner | Port Adelaide | Delisted

74. Jordan Kelly | Western Bulldogs | Delisted

75. Michael Manteit | Collingwood | Delisted
One letter away from jumping all the way up to number 52 on the list.

76. Tyrone Downie | Gold Coast | Delisted

77. Eric Wallace | North Melbourne | Delisted
Someone had to come in last, might as well make it the Americans for a change huh?