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.
North Melbourne
Nick Blakey
Potentially the biggest move of the trade period was Blakey's to Arden Street, but he has to prove he is worth it.
The Roos managed to land the All-Australian defender from the Sydney Swans in a monster trade as Blakey's eight-year, $12 million move comes with some controversy given he was one of the five players in the Pullman Hotel scandal.
His footballing ability is obviously second to none, but he will now be one of the focal points of the North Melbourne backline, wanting to be given the freedom to attack and get the ball going forward.
He is an All-Australian defender who will now be alongside Premiership winner Caleb Daniel, former teammate Luke Parker and young star Finn O'Sullivan, which will hopefully be a recipe for success to get the Kangaroos back into September action.
Having walked away from a Premiership-contending side under a cloud of controversy, the pressure will be on to perform week in, week out and help get North in positions to win games as an experienced senior player.
