Matthew Bate may be wearing different colours in 2012.
Source: HWT Image Library
LAST year, it was the likes of Andrejs Everitt, David Hale, Patrick Vezspremi, Kyle Cheney, Sam Jacobs and Richard Tambling.
All found new homes in the trade period after being starved of chances.
There is a new crop treading water in the lower levels this year despite their obvious talents - and some no doubt are disgruntled.
Why hang around if the coach won't play you?
Who could be eyeing a fresh chance this time around?
Hard Boiled has come up with a list of potential club crossers.
MATTHEW BATE (Melbourne)
Potential new homes: Richmond, W Bulldogs, GWS
THE Demons' heirarchy has made it clear Bate is not in the club's best 22.
He wasn't there at the start of the year, only got his chance as injuries and poor team form hit - and then was swiftly dropped.
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You could sense his time was up at the club last year, but as he nears the end of a contract it now looks certain.
Bate continues to play well has a hard-leading, powerful half-forward at VFL level, but clearly needs a change of clubs. No doubt he's already looking.
Will somebody take the bait? No doubt ... either in the pre-season draft, late in the national draft or in the trade period (if the Dees decide to try and get something for him).
Bate would have currency at Richmond, surely, as a foil for Jack Riewoldt.
The Western Bulldogs look light on for natural forwards, and with Jarrad Grant and Liam Jones still developing, Bate's hard body might help.
He's a young version of Mitch Hahn.
XAVIER ELLIS (Hawthorn)
Potential new homes: GWS, St Kilda
ELLIS had 28 disposals and 14 marks in the 2008 Grand Final as a 20-year-old.
Who would have thought that three yeas on, and in his prime, that Ellis would be battling to be in Hawthorn's best 22?
Ellis was an onlooker last night as Geelong took on the Hawks, and you'd think he'd be hurting.
Sadly, unlike most on this potential trade list, Ellis just hasn't had a clear run at it. Time after time, niggles with his body have let him down and the Hawks right now are contemplating the best way to get him right for the business end of the season.
Regardless of nagging injuries, is it time for Ellis to search for a fresh home, considering there is so much depth in the Hawks' midfield - and so many kids pushing up?
Legend has it that the Hawks had their hearts set on Dale Thomas with pick No.2 in the 2005 draft and were flat when word got out that the Pies would pluck "Daisy".
They happily took Ellis at No.3. It has been far from a disaster given his key role in that monumental upset three years ago, but is it time for both to move on?
Maybe it would be a win/win if Ellis went somewhere else for something in the region of an early to mid second round pick.
If GWS is looking for someone to slot in and play 22 games in year one, Ellis could be it if the current rehab process at the Hawks is successful.
He has a sharp footy brain and is a respected club man. Surely, others outside GWS would come knocking too.
BERNIE VINCE (Adelaide)
Potential new homes: Essendon, Western Bulldogs, St Kilda
TWO years ago, this guy was an emerging superstar. Now, he looks lost.
Like other players in the comp, injuries and compromised pre-seasons have taken their toll, but from the outside Vince still appears stale.
His verve has vanished and will it return at a new club? There would be no shortage of suitors either.
He would add depth and class to Essendon's midfield group.
BRENT PRISMALL (Essendon)
Potential new homes: GWS, Gold Coast.
MATTHEW Knights went all out to snare Prismall at the end of 2008, luring him from Geelong with a three-year deal even though he had only just started rehabbing after a serious knee injury.
Yet last year, as Knights fought for his job, Prismall strangely fell out of favour. Nothing has changed under the new James Hird regime - even with former Cats Mark Thompson and Brendan McCartney at Windy Hill.
Word is, the Bombers have been concerned about Prismall's lack of pace and kicking prowess. It seems a tough call from the outside. It's amazing to think he still couldn't break in with Jobe Watson and Heath Hocking out.
Prismall is only human. He'd be thinking about club No. 3 and a fresh opportunity. GWS would be his best hope.
TOM BELLCHAMBERS (Essendon)
Potential new homes: GWS, Richmond ... and plenty more
Out of contract at the end of the year and out of the Essendon team again this weekend.
Would walk in to most clubs as a ruckman (either No.1 or No.2), but Paddy Ryder and David Hille generally get picked ahead of him.
Could he be this year's Shane Mumford? What if someone comes knocking with a four-to-five-year deal and big bucks? It will be hard for Bellchambers to resist, even if his heart is at Essendon.
JOSH HILL (Western Bulldogs)
Potential new homes: GWS, Hawthorn, St Kilda
HE was always going to be dropped after showing poor body language late in the game against Geelong, but there is a bigger picture at play.
After so many chances (and the match committee making it clear it has doubts by leaving him out of the past two finals series), Hill may have played his last game for the club.
Even if he somehow gets back for a game or two before the end, he will be gone at the end of the year.
Hill almost landed at Hawthorn in a trade deal last year, but it fell over.
This time around, Hill is out contract, so he has options.
It appears highly unlikely Hill will be offered a new deal at the Dogs. If they do, it will be on less coin.
So Hill is out of there.
His currency has dropped, but someone will take him. The Hawks may try to him for nothing via the pre-season draft, but GWS might swoop.
It would be a win/win for the Dogs if it lost Hill as its one uncontracted player - at least they would get some compensation (a bit like Collingwood and Josh Fraser with Gold Coast last year).
For all his sins, Hill still has some worth. Surely, he will be on a list next year.
St Kilda might see him as a "third tall" option up forward. He can take an overhead mark and would add another dimension to a forward line that has become a little predictable.
OTHER POSSIBLES
Dylan Addison (Bulldogs): Sydney or GWS might be interested in the NSW boy who hasn't nailed a regular spot at the Kennel.
Raphael Clarke (St Kilda): Still being bagged by fans in outer. Does he need a change of scenery? Maybe a little currency in market.
Mark Blake (Geelong): Time up at Cattery. A lifeline may come - even if the sub rule hurts him due to a lack of flexibility.
Brock McLean (Carlton): A year left on deal at Carlton, but why stay if the club won't play him? GWS a chance. He could be the Campbell Brown of the new franchise. Hard as nails, popular leader. Blue-chip clubman.
Cale Morton (Melbourne): Much depends on the next three months, but Morton may be keen to look elsewhere if he ends up back in the VFL. Too good for there. Offers will come for him, no doubt.
Ricky Petterd (Melbourne): Likely to stay, given he loves the place, but baffled as to why this bloke isn't always in the senior team.
