SEVERAL big names are set to become targets of rival clubs when the AFL releases the full list of eligible free agents, both restricted and unrestricted, on March 20.

Richmond's Brett Deledio heads the list of restricted free agents while 10-year veterans Brendon Goddard and Mark Jamar are among the top available unrestricted free agents.

The wages of eligible free agents will remain confidential.

While much of the attention will centre on the stars available in the AFL's first free agency period, AFL operations manager Adrian Anderson says it is mid-tier and lower paid players who will benefit the most from free agency.

"It definitely advantages the lower rung players because once a lower rung player becomes discarded by his club, he can go to a club of his choice," Anderson told The Age.

"That's a good thing. That opens it up for players no longer wanted by their clubs.

"It advantages the guys who are not as well paid because they become unrestricted free agents the first time they come out of contract after eight years."

The AFL is interested to see how free agency affects both the players and clubs in its first year.

"We look forward to observing how it works," Anderson said.

"Prior to this, they [players] made the fair point they were the only professional athletes in the world with a salary cap and draft and no free agency. I think we have come up with a model in conjunction with the AFLPA which we are keen to have a close look at over the next couple of years."

Under free agency rules, players who have been in the AFL for eight years and are in the top nine or 10 paid players become restricted free agents and can negotiate with other clubs but can have any offer made by another club matched by their existing team.

Uncontracted ten-year players in the top nine or 10 paid players at their club are unrestricted free agents, as are eight-year players who are not in the top nine or 10 paid at their club.

Delisted players can now deal with clubs directly.

Clubs will be compensated with draft picks for any losses.