THIS year's free agency pool is drying up at a rapid rate. 

Already it has lost much of its star power, with prospective 2016 free agents such as Dan Hannebery, Jack Riewoldt, Scott Pendlebury and Todd Goldstein all re-signing last year.

Worse still for cashed-up suitors, remaining free agents Daniel Rich and Steele Sidebottom are expected to join them shortly. 

With the AFL releasing its official free agency list on Thursday, AFL.com.au takes a look at the players still up for grabs and who might be on the move. 

Ricky Henderson
Scott Thompson
Nathan van Berlo

AFL.com.au says: A stress-free year ahead for the Crows. Thompson, 33 later this month, and van Berlo, 30 in June, will likely play on at West Lakes or retire depending on their 2016 form, while Henderson has a readily achievable trigger clause for 2017 in his existing contract. 

Daniel Merrett
Daniel Rich (restricted) 

AFL.com.au says: Rich is understood to be close to re-signing with the Lions on a long-term deal, while the 31-year-old Merrett, who turned his back on rival interest in the 2014 trade period, should play on at the Gabba if his body holds up. 

Kade Simpson
Dennis Armfield

AFL.com.au says: After being recently appointed Carlton vice-captain, Simpson, 31, is not going anywhere. His experience will be invaluable as the Blues rebuild, so fitness and form permitting he's likely to play on in 2017. Armfield was a free agent last year and his future should again be decided later in the season.

Nathan Brown (restricted)
Brent Macaffer
Steele Sidebottom (restricted)
Dane Swan
Alan Toovey
Jarryd Blair 

AFL.com.au says: Sidebottom attracted significant rival interest but is set to re-commit to the Magpies on a five-year deal. Defenders Brown and Toovey will also be on opposition clubs' radar, but are highly unlikely to leave the Holden Centre. The Pies took a lot of pressure off themselves last October when they re-signed captain and prospective 2016 free agent Scott Pendlebury until the end of 2020.

Courtenay Dempsey
Heath Hocking
Cale Hooker
David Myers
Brent Stanton
Tayte Pears 

AFL.com.au says: Hooker shapes as this year's biggest free agency story. The 197cm swingman's appeal to opposition clubs such as Fremantle is obvious. Even if he ultimately elects to move as an unrestricted free agent, the Bombers could still emerge as winners, with a rival offer likely to be lucrative enough to earn them a first-round compensation pick. Myers has had his injury problems but could appeal to a club looking for a big-bodied midfielder.

Cale Hooker is shaping as the big fish in this year's crop. Picture: AFL Media

Zac Clarke
Matt de Boer
Chris Mayne
Clancee Pearce
Matthew Pavlich
Aaron Sandilands 

AFL.com.au says: Clarke re-signed for one season at the end of last year and will want to ensure he's well placed in the Dockers' ruck pecking order before re-committing beyond 2016. In that regard, the Victorian could delay his decision until it becomes clearer whether Sandilands, 33, will play on in 2017. It's hard to see local boy Mayne leaving but, at 27, he will appeal to clubs looking to bolster their forward lines. 

Jimmy Bartel
Corey Enright
Tom Lonergan 

AFL.com.au says: Nothing to see here, move on. All three veterans either play on at Geelong in 2017 or retire.

Luke Hodge
Sam Mitchell
Brendan Whitecross 

AFL.com.au says: Star veterans Hodge and Mitchell now sign contracts on a year-to-year basis and we're not about to discount them from continuing at Hawthorn in 2017. Whitecross attracted interest from the Brisbane Lions in last year's trade period before re-signing with the Hawks for one year, but could look to move if he struggles for senior opportunities this season.

Jack Grimes (restricted)
Neville Jetta
Jake Spencer
Jack Watts (restricted) 

AFL.com.au says: Watts' potential – however unfulfilled – means there will always be rival clubs with one eye on him. Although no team made a serious play for 2008's No.1 pick in last year's trade period, the chance to get him as a free agent could see a suitor emerge. Grimes' future will be shaped by his ability to re-establish himself as a regular senior Demon in 2016, while clubs looking to bolster their ruck depth will monitor Spencer's form this year.

Michael Firrito
Brent Harvey
Drew Petrie
Lindsay Thomas
Daniel Wells 

AFL.com.au says: The Roos defused much of their 2016 free agency risk last year, re-signing All Australian ruckman Todd Goldstein and vice-captain Jack Ziebell on long-term deals. After two injury-plagued seasons, Wells, 31, is keen to prove he still has at least two years left at the top level, while Thomas, 28, will be also be focused on returning to fitness and form.

Paul Stewart

AFL.com.au says: A quiet year looms for the Power after they re-signed star midfielder and prospective 2016 free agent Hamish Hartlett last October. Stewart faces an uphill battle to win a new contract, having spent most of his time in the SANFL in recent seasons.

Tyrone Vickery (restricted)

AFL.com.au says: The Tigers released the 2016 free agency pressure valve last year when they re-signed Jack Riewoldt and Shane Edwards to long-term deals. Vickery's ability to rotate between attack and the ruck makes him an attractive commodity for opposition clubs, with the 25-year-old understood to be in no rush to decide his future.

Ty Vickery could attract some interest from rival clubs. Picture: AFL Media

Sean Dempster (restricted)
Sam Fisher
Leigh Montagna
Nick Riewoldt 

AFL.com.au says: Montagna is keen to play on when his existing three-year contract expires and, at 32, is happy to sign a new one-year deal. Riewoldt, 33, and Dempster, 32, remain such key players in the young St Kilda side that they could play on in 2017, but Fisher, 33, appears to be entering his final season given key defender Jake Carlisle will return from suspension next year. The Saints re-signed prospective 2016 free agents David Armitage and Jarryn Geary last year.

Kieren Jack
Ted Richards 

AFL.com.au says: Co-captain Jack, 28, has opened talks with the Swans on what will likely be a new long-term deal. Full-back Richards, 33, will assess his future later in the season. The Swans have already taken Dan Hannebery and Nick Smith off the free agency market with new deals.

Mitch Brown
Sam Butler
Patrick McGinnity
Will Schofield 

AFL.com.au says: The Eagles would have been thrilled to take Matt Priddis and Chris Masten out of the free agency pool a day before the AFL released its official list. Given the Eagles' wealth of key-position options, rival clubs could make a play for Brown or Schofield, especially if they struggle for senior opportunities.

Matthew Boyd
Will Minson
Dale Morris
Robert Murphy

AFL.com.au says: Boyd, Morris and Murphy will only leave the Whitten Oval as retirees, but Minson is still young enough – he turns 31 in April – that clubs light-on for ruckmen could offer him a fresh start.