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.
Western Bulldogs
Lachie Jaques
The young defender started the season in great form, racking up 16 and 29 disposals to start the year but was in and out of the Bulldogs senior side throughout 2026, finishing with 10 games.
The 20-year-old couldn't cement a permanent spot but was often brought in when other defenders were injured or omitted throughout the year, doing his job when required.
He showed he was more than capable at the level, however, recording 29 disposals and nine marks against GWS in round two, but couldn't quite do it consistently enough, getting a next-best 17 disposals twice.
It doesn't help him that Jordan Butts is now a Bulldog, and he is often behind the likes of defenders Bailey Williams, Connor Budarick, Michael Sellwood, James O'Donnell and Jedd Busslinger.
However, if he can have a big preseason and consistently find the footy as a running defender, Jaques can keep pushing his name forward as a consistent starter in the side.
