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.
Port Adelaide
Jack Whitlock
Port Adelaide and Josh Carr may have a genuine forward duo to help boost them back up the ladder in the next year or two.
20-year-old Whitlock enjoyed a breakout season in 2026, kicking 28 goals from 27 games, which included kicking two goals or more in nine games.
The 200cm key forward has impressed for Port Adelaide in his first two seasons without tearing games apart, but that is where the excitement is for Port.
His best game came in the last round against Essendon, where he had 14 disposals, six marks and two goals straight.
He has all the tools necessary to help his growth in 2027, and if he is able to form a strong partnership with Mitch Georgiades up forward, the pair could kick many more goals between them.
Georgiades is obviously their main target up forward with his strong contested marks and scoreboard impact, but while he often takes the best defender, it leaves room for Whitlock to become just as dangerous if he can get the opportunities.
Opposition defences may need to contain the two of them while still accounting for small forward Corey Durdin, who kicked Port's 2nd most goals for the year (32), and Jason Horne-Francis, who is damaging up forward in one-on-one contests, kicking 27 goals for the year.
If Whitlock becomes that damaging forward in 2027, who knows what the ceiling could be for himself and Port's season.
