All the attention and focus has well and truly been placed on the 2026 as all 18 teams have officially returned for the pre-season.
Following the trade and draft periods, certain clubs still have the capacity to improve their lists through the SSP, holding vacancies over the summer months for prospects to prove themselves.
But it also lends a moment to reflection for those who ventured through the rookie mechanism 12 months ago.
Heading into the 2025 campaign, 14 players were scooped up across nine clubs.
Some were welcomed on a needs basis, while others helped fill a roster spot due to a long-term injury.
Here's how each SSP signing from the last pre-season performed in 2025...
3Francis Evans (Carlton)
Arguably, the most impressive of all the SSP signings, Evans' AFL dream seemed all but over after a second stint at a top-flight club came to an end.
Delisted by Port Adelaide at the end of 2024 after two seasons - which followed three years at Geelong - the small forward was signed by Carlton's VFL outfit, but welcomed to the AFL training.
With up to five prospects vying for the Blues' final list spot, Evans claimed it, beating the likes of ex-Hawthorn pair Denver Grainger-Barras and Ethan Phillips, and VFL duo Liam McMahon and Will White (the latter made it onto the list, but we'll get to it later).
A quiet start to his career in the navy blue, the 24-year-old found some form heading toward the end of 2025, kicking 11 goals in four weeks, earning himself another 12 months at Carlton.
