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.
Sydney
Will Green
The 204cm ruckman got his first taste of AFL football in 2026, playing in Sydney's last three games of the year, which were all wins.
Green was brought in for Brodie Grundy in round 22 and showcased his ruck craft against Port Adelaide, accumulating 11 disposals, a mark, three tackles and 20 hit-outs on debut.
He played against the likes of experienced ruckmen Jordan Sweet and North Melbourne's Tristan Xerri, earning valuable experience as he now looms as being potentially Sydney's second ruckman behind Grundy.
Dean Cox did choose to go with experience, and the forward presence of Hayden McLean in the two finals matches the Swans played in, but with Amartey now at Carlton, McLean may find himself as a permanent forward if Cox chooses to play both Grundy and Green together.
The 21-year-old has had to bide his time in the VFL, playing 41 games since 2024. He had 20 disposals, five marks, 32 hit-outs and a goal against Richmond in 2025 and a career-best 41 hit-outs to go alongside 14 disposals and four tackles against GWS this season.
He's learning from quality under both Grundy and Cox's guidance, and will want to push for more regular AFL games in 2027.
