ADELAIDE

The club's only confirmed retiree this year, Brent Reilly, was forced to make the call in sorry circumstances when he suffered a fractured skull in a training accident early in the season. Reilly was rushed to hospital and spent several days in intensive care before doctors told him it would be unsafe to continue playing contact sport of any kind. Although he's hit terrific form recently – booting 10 goals in his past two SANFL outings – James Podsiadly is all but certain to retire at season's end. The 33-year-old hasn't played a senior game this year and the Crows will surely look to replace him on the list with a future prospect. Scott Thompson turned 32 this year but isn't showing any signs of slowing down, regularly amassing a huge number of possessions and clearances. He's likely to enter his 16th season next year, cementing his place as one of the club's greatest midfielders in the process. - Harry Thring 

BRISBANE LIONS

The Lions have already waved goodbye to one stalwart this season and might have another before 2016 rolls around. Veteran full-back Matt Maguire drew the curtain on his career after being unable to overcome concussion from a NEAFL match earlier this season. After playing 99 games for St Kilda, Maguire stretched another six seasons and 71 games out of his body with the Lions – a remarkable effort for someone all but gone after his horrific broken leg at the Saints. Another player who came to the club during the 2009 trade influx, Brent Staker, is also staring down the retirement barrel. Staker, who has been riddled with knee and calf injuries in the past five seasons, is 31 and playing for his career. No doubt his body has let him down, but Staker has struggled to impact this year, and with so many young forwards coming back from injury, the likeable swingman may have his hand forced. - Michael Whiting 

CARLTON

Andrew Carrazzo is likely to call it quits at the end of this season. The veteran midfielder, who turns 32 at year's end, is out of contract. A succession of injury problems have restricted Carrazzo to only 49 of a possible 84 games in the past four seasons. He has approached the AFL about following in the footsteps of former players Leigh Fisher and Jordan Bannister and becoming an umpire. Although only 29, running defender Andrew Walker is struggling with a degenerative knee problem that ended his 2014 campaign. He has been restricted to only seven games this season and has not played since the thrilling win over Port Adelaide in round 12. Vice-captain Michael Jamison, 29, is another Blue who has struggled with injury this season, but he is under contract until the end of the 2017 season. Kade Simpson, 31, is under contract until the end of next season. - Howard Kotton 

COLLINGWOOD

Pies runners Clinton Young (29) and Sam Dwyer (29 in August) – the second and third-oldest players at Collingwood behind the rejuvenated Dane Swan (31) – have been mentioned here previously as possible delistings at season's end, but it wouldn't surprise if they made the club's decision easier by pulling the pin themselves. Both are playing in the VFL and don't appear to be in the club's short-term plans, let alone into next year and beyond. It seems the Pies will only turn to them in the event of injuries. Young's time at Collingwood has been ruined by injury but he is finally enjoying some continuity – now he just needs to find enough form to warrant what might be a last hurrah at AFL level. Possibly ditto for Dwyer, who is a regular Pies' emergency and continues to produce solid football in the VFL. - Ben Collins. 

ESSENDON

Veteran defender Dustin Fletcher turned 40 this year and reached his 400th game, but is a chance to not play again for the club as he battles an abdominal injury. Even if he does get back for a game, it's likely to be a chance for Essendon supporters to farewell one of the greats of their club. Paul Chapman has struggled with injury this season, played in the VFL last week, and is in the last year of his two-year contract with the Bombers. Speedster Jason Winderlich retired last year before returning, reconsidering and then almost moving to Richmond, but it probably would have been wise to stick with his gut instinct. The 30-year-old forward has managed just one game this year between back and shin injuries. Recruit Adam Cooney has had a limited influence this season and suffered a couple of injury niggles, but is contracted through to the end of next year. - Callum Twomey 

FREMANTLE

The Dockers could have a number of retirees at the end of the season, but their premiership tilt will delay any announcements. Luke McPharlin and Matthew Pavlich have not signed contract extensions and both are likely to make a decision once the season is over. It is unlikely McPharlin will play beyond this year, but Pavlich is still undecided. Suspended tagger Ryan Crowley is not contracted for next year and he may not get the chance to play again before a decision is made on his future. Anthony Morabito is also in that category. He will not play at all this season and may not play again given his ongoing knee issues. Colin Sylvia has already retired and left the club. Aaron Sandilands is locked in to go at least another season. - Alex Malcolm 

GEELONG CATS

Corey Enright has not lost any of his class and remains watchable even after 303 games. He was best on ground in his 299th and has been told to keep an open mind about retirement, but it's more likely than not that this year will be his last. Steve Johnson (248 games) has been worth the price of admission alone even if he has added the odd grey hair to a coach's cranium. He is a must-watch and will be missed if he departs. Mathew Stokes, a dual premiership player, has battled for form and lost his spot. James Kelly's standing suffered because of the reputation of his teammates, but his brilliance should not be underestimated. He re-invented himself several times and his tackling pressure was elite. He is playing well enough to play on but whether he will remains debatable, while defender Jared Rivers (193 games) has only been at the club three years but he showed how good a player he was. Likely to retire, he was a brilliant judge of a mark and a popular figure in football. Andrew Mackie (229 games) came back from the brink after 2010 to be one of the Cats' best in the 2011 Grand Final. He is likely to play on. Jimmy Bartel (277 games) is set for another season - a remarkable player, he has not lost any of the competitive fire that has driven him for so long. If Daniel Menzel (21 games) gets a senior game this season then the crowd should come from everywhere to watch a remarkable comeback in progress. Fingers are crossed he has many more years ahead but his tale is a reminder to never take watching your favourite players for granted. Veteran big man Hamish McIntosh has laboured through three injury-plagued years on Geelong's list, and few would be surprised if he pulls the pin later this year. - Peter Ryan

GOLD COAST SUNS

After seeing Nathan Bock and Tom Murphy call it quits last year, it's hard to see any retirees from the Suns in 2015. The only chance is Andrew Raines, who at 29 was brought into the club as a rookie after being delisted by the Lions. Although he has looked slightly off-the-pace at AFL level in his most recent chances, Raines has been a crucial acquisition in leading Gold Coast's younger players both on and off the field. There still looks to be a place for him on their list next season. Nick Malceski, 30, has had a poor year by his high standards, but has two years left on his contract and should improve with a full pre-season, while the only other over-30 player on the list is Gary Ablett. - Michael Whiting 

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY

With just eight players on their list over the age of 25 there won't be many retirements at the Giants over the next couple of years. Dylan Addison is the only one whomight consider hanging up the boots to take up a development role with the club. The 27-year-old is an outstanding leader in the reserves, but just isn't in the frame for senior selection. Joel Patfull is the only Giant over the age of 30 but his form at the start of the season before getting injured in round 11 was outstanding. Heath Shaw, Shane Mumford and Ryan Griffen are the next oldest at just 29. Shaw would be close to leading the club's fairest and best count, Mumford was in All Australian touch before an ankle injury ended his season and Griffen has shouldered plenty of the hard work at stoppages to allow his younger teammates to thrive this year. - Adam Curley

HAWTHORN

Very few elder statesman look set to hang up the boots – and why would they ride off into the sunset when there's more success on the horizon? Luke Hodge (31), Sam Mitchell (32), Shaun Burgoyne (32) and Josh Gibson (31) have re-signed for next season and all remain close to career-best form. Brian Lake (33) has signalled his desire to play on in 2016, with his body feeling the best it has for years, and he remains one of the best key defenders at grappling with power forwards. David Hale (31) had an injury-interrupted start to the year but has returned from an adductor issue and performed strongly in 10 straight matches, reaping nine wins. The veteran ruckman, who played his 100th  game for the Hawks last Friday night, appears the most likely retiree, but his form has been good enough to consider going around again. - Travis King 

MELBOURNE

Given the age demographic of Melbourne's list, it is possible that the club won't have any retirees at the end of the season. Mark Jamar (30) and Daniel Cross (32) are the two players in the above-30 age bracket. Max Gawn's emergence in the ruck has seen Jamar slide down the pecking order, however he has still been performing strongly at VFL level. Should he decide to play on it is unlikely to be at Melbourne, but he may appeal to the likes of Greater Western Sydney or Essendon, who are in desperate need of added ruck depth. Cross has been a consistent performer in a quasi-sweeper role in defence in 2015 and his experience, training standards and football nous are highly regarded by those at the club. Those intangibles are hard to find and are one of the main reasons why the former Bulldog is likely to be given an extra year. - Ben Guthrie 

NORTH MELBOURNE

Key defender Nathan Grima retired earlier this month because of a degenerative back condition that will require more surgery. Fellow defender Scott McMahon, 29, has been in solid VFL form but looks set to join Grima in retirement at the end of 2015 after playing just seven games in the past two seasons. Veteran backman Michael Firrito, 31, has not missed a game this season and could play on next year, especially given the Roos won't want to rush the development of young key defenders Sam Durdin and Daniel Nielson. Drew Petrie, 32, remains North's main aerial target in attack and is almost certain to play on, while we expect Roos coach Brad Scott will ultimately give 400-gamer Brent Harvey, 37, the green light to launch an assault on Michael Tuck's AFL games record (426) next year. Leigh Adams, 27, is weighing up his future as he continues to battle the side effects of a string of recent concussions. - Nick Bowen

PORT ADELAIDE

Season 2015 saw the retirement of four-time club champion Kane Cornes, who quit football to begin a career as a firefighter. Cornes was still playing good footy when he decided to leave the game, but said he felt as though it was passing him by. Cornes was one of just two players on Port's list over the age of 30 when he retired, although Tom Logan has since reached the milestone. The veteran rookie-listed defender might not take a place on the Power's list next season, but his experience would make him a valuable development asset to retain in some way.  Full forward Jay Schulz is out of contract at the end of the season but the club appears keen to re-sign him for 2016. He has struggled to boot goals this season, but a large part of that has been the Power's inability to find the 30-year-old in scoring positions. - Harry Thring 

RICHMOND

Injuries have cruelled Nathan Foley's season and as he approaches the end of his contract it is feasible he will opt not to go on in 2016 after two VFL games this season. Chris Newman is the oldest player on the Tigers' list at 33, but he is yet to decide if he will play on. Having played the past five weeks, he may see an opportunity to be part of a successful 2016 team. "I'd have to be playing some pretty good football to go on again," he said earlier this month. Injury-cursed half-forward Chris Knights has endured a third straight season ruined by injury and it is not clear if he will push on. Ricky Petterd is in the same boat, having turned some of his attention to recruiting as he recovers from a foot injury. - Nathan Schmook  

ST KILDA

The most likely departure from the Saints will be Adam Schneider, who has essentially been eased towards retirement this year by being delisted and re-drafted as a rookie. The 31-year-old has been durable in his 14th season and has played 13 games but the Saints' abundance of small forwards, including newcomers Jack Lonie and Jack Sinclair, means it's likely the veteran will be seen as surplus to needs at the end of the season. A decision is yet to be made on 33-year-old Sam Fisher, who is coming out of contract after signing a one-year deal last year. The experienced defender's body has been better this year and allowed him to play 12 games after two injury hit years, but again, the emergence of Hugh Goddard and the fact Luke Delaney is also building his craft means opportunities next season could be limited for the 210-game player. Nick Riewoldt and Leigh Montagna are signed on for next season and will go on, while the Saints' only other 30-plus player, Sean Dempster, will remain a key part of the backline for at least another year. - Jennifer Phelan 

SYDNEY SWANS

The game will lose one of its greatest players if Adam Goodes decides 2015 will be his final season.Two flags, a couple of Brownlow medals, four All Australian jumpers and the 1999 NAB AFL Rising Star award, it's a fair resume to retire with. Dashing defender Rhyce Shaw will turn 34 just after the season finishes, but doesn't seem to be struggling with the pace of the game, so may go around again. Shaw is part of an experienced Swans defence and still has plenty of run in his legs. Ted Richards, 32, is another big part of the Swans backline, an important member of the side as a key defender who fights above his weight. At 31, ruckman Mike Pyke's amazing AFL story could be coming to a close. The big Canadian is struggling with a knee problem and might call it quits after reaching the 100-game milestone earlier this season. - Adam Curley 

WEST COAST EAGLES

Eagles premiership player Beau Waters retired before the season began due to ongoing injury problems, but the Eagles do not have many others who are facing the possibility of retirement. West Coast has only one player on its list over the age of 30 and he is the reigning Brownlow medallist, one of the best players in the competition and nowhere near leaving the game. Sam Butler has been a year-by-year prospect given his injury history. He has played the majority of the year and has been an important player in Adam Simpson's inexperienced defence, but a hip problem has kept him out of the side over the last few weeks. His mind seems willing and given the way the Eagles are tracking, if his body holds up it would be unlikely he would be ready to leave the game. - Alex Malcolm 

WESTERN BULLDOGS

Who's thinking of retirement as the impressive young Bulldogs build a team capable of a sustained run of success? The short answer - no one. Evergreen captain Bob Murphy has already signed on for 2016, while Matthew Boyd and Dale Morris are both still vital cogs in the Dogs' backline  However, Will Minson's situation gets more perplexing by the week. The 30-year-old ruckman still has a year to run on his contract, but has seen Ayce Cordy and Tom Campbell selected ahead of him at times. Two reports in the VFL suggest the 188-game veteran is frustrated and a departure from Whitten Oval is not entirely out of the question. - Ryan Davidson