With players returning from their end-of-season break and getting back into the swing of things for pre-season, the 2027 season slowly keeps getting closer.
Established players will want to dominate training sessions while emerging young stars will want to push their case forward for a round one start.
Each player has something to work on with the season nearing, a lot more than others, and these are the AFL players from each club with the most to prove heading into 2027.
Adelaide
Dan Curtin
Curtain had raving reviews from the pre-season last year from both Adelaide fans and players, saying that he was going to be a genuine star for the Crows.
However, he then dislocated his kneecap in a pre-season incident back in January, forcing him to miss three months, halting his development as a star player for Nicks' side, although he showed his potential through 25 games and two finals matches in 2025.
He was able to come back in their showdown win against Port Adelaide, but in his first four games back, the 21-year-old could only manage 9, 11, 11 and 8 disposals before exploding with a career-best 26 disposals in the club's win over Geelong.
When in the midfield, we saw glimpses again of his talent, but he still has room to go to the next level in 2027, as he averaged 15 disposals, four marks, and three tackles during the home and away season.
The 197cm No.8 draft pick, is still a work in progress but he certainly has all the abilities to become a breakout player in an already star studded midfielder alongside Jordan Dawson and Izak Rankine.
