SSP state of play: The AFL clubs set to make list calls and the train-on prospects in the mix

Seven AFL clubs have less than three weeks to determine whether they will make a Supplemental Selection Period signing, as 14 players battle for the remaining list spots available this pre-season.

Clubs were recently granted an extended deadline, pushing back the original cut off from February 20 to March 2.

Five clubs (Adelaide, Carlton, Fremantle, Richmond, North Melbourne and St Kilda) have one available position while Hawthorn has two open list spots. Port Adelaide now have a third opening following Ivan Soldo's recent season-ending ACL injury.

The Power currently have the most players training with their AFL side with four options to choose from, two of which have previously played AFL football. Ted Clohesy featured nine times for Geelong last year and was a shock delisting to most, while Jaidyn Stephenson is attempting to make an AFL comeback after the 2018 Rising Star winner made an early retirement call in 2024 at age 25.

Joining Stephenson and Clohesy is 18-year-old Norwood defender Balyn O'Brien and 21-year-old East Fremantle forward Mitchell Zadow. The Power are looking to add some firepower in the front half at the very least with their SSP signings, with Zadow kicking 18 goals from 14 WAFL appearances in 2025.

Hawthorn, meanwhile, have three players fighting for the final two list spots. Ethan Stanley was a mid-season pick-up for Fremantle in 2023, and played two senior games before he was let go. His signing could add some extra midfield support for the Hawks, averaging just shy of four clearances and four inside 50s per game for Box Hill in 2025.

24-year-old SANFL half-back phenom Flynn Perez was a standout for 2025 premiers Sturt Double Blues, and subsequently earned a train-on opportunity with the Hawks. The former Kangaroo averaged 19.5 disposals per game and 7.4 marks at state level, and was clinical in Sturt's 31-point Grand Final win.

Jack Riding will aim to become the next Werribee premiership star to make the AFL jump, looking to earn the chance to feature in Hawthorn's midfield mix. He averaged 24.0 disposals and 4.5 clearances per game for the Tigers last year.

Carlton's remaining list spot will go to a player that was on the club's list last year should they make use of the SSP signing, with Elijah Hollands and Will White attempting to gain the call-up.

The Dockers are assessing the prospects of Christopher Scerri, who played across the ground in the VFL last year, averaging close to four tackles per game.

Richmond are considering a pair of unlucky draft prospects in Tom Burton and Marcus Krasnadamskis for their final list position. Burton ranked 49th in Zero Hanger's pre-draft power rankings, while Krasnadamskis was one of the top five ruck prospects available in last year's class.

Similarly, St Kilda have brought in Eastern Ranges prospect Blake Chambers to fight for the final list spot this month. The smooth-moving winger received a contract to play for the club's newly formed VFL program this year, but has also been given the chance to earn an AFL opportunity.

North Melbourne has recently handed a Supplemental Selection Period invite to the VFL's most promising young player, Tom Blamires. The 23-year-old enjoyed a breakout 2025 after making the move from Sandringham to Frankston, playing across half-back and midfield.

He will fight with Zac Becker for the final list spot, a 22-year-old premiership player from Sturt.

After ending Tom McGuane's SSP trial without a contract, the Adelaide Crows will weigh up signing Zac Foot, a former Swan who plays as a livewire forward option.

Five players have been signed during the 2025-26 SSP period so far, all of which came before the new year.