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...

5Tom Edwards (Essendon)

Western Bulldogs v Essendon – 2025 AFL Pre-Season
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 15: Tom Edwards of the Bombers celebrates kicking a goal during the 2025 AFL Pre-Season match between Western Bulldogs and Essendon Bombers at Whitten Oval on February 15, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

One of the many unique SSP selection stories, Edwards went from teaching classes in Perth to an AFL list in the space of just a month.

The high-flying forward was invited to train with the Bombers in January, and was contesting the final list spot alongside VFL backman Will Hoare and recently delisted swingman Kaine Baldwin.

The Swan Districts forward - who booted 39 goals in 19 games in 2024 - had been given the nod after his dominant second-half performance in a pre-season match simulation against the Western Bulldogs.

Edwards earned an early-season debut, featuring against Adelaide in Round 2. He kicked three goals from eight touches. He played the following week against Port Adelaide, but was subbed out.

The 25-year-old tore his ACL in the week following his pair of senior matches, but did re-sign for the 2026 campaign.

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