Prioritising the re-signing of players is part and parcel of every AFL club’s list boss’ job description, but some have a bigger task ahead this year than others.

We looked at each team’s most important out-of-contract players, and which are likely to be higher in the pecking order, as the league enters a new era of even bigger spending with last year’s $2.2 billion collective bargaining agreement.

The information below comes from conversations with trusted sources in player management and clubland.

Adelaide

Negotiations have started on what will be a multi-year deal for midfielder Ben Keays, but any contract developments for star key forward Taylor Walker won’t be for a while, as usual, as he prepares to turn 34 next month. The Crows will also want to lock away Brodie Smith and Ned McHenry, but there will be a wait on Brayden Cook. It would be a surprise if Elliott Himmelberg does not exercise his unrestricted free agency rights post-season to join his brother Harry at the Giants.

Brisbane Lions

Gun midfielder and co-vice captain Hugh McCluggage is the most pressing contract matter for Lions list manager Dom Ambrogio, ahead of fellow restricted free agent Jarrod Berry and forward Linc McCarthy. Any McCarthy negotiations are a while off yet. McCluggage could join the million-dollar-a-year club with this next deal, but may accept less, given the strength of Brisbane’s list. Opposition clubs are sniffing around, just in case he wants to return to Victoria, but McCluggage seems more likely to stay on a long-term arrangement.