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.
Collingwood
Dan Houston
Despite there being major speculation during the trade period about Houston's future with the Pies, he is set in the black and white for the foreseeable future.
Although his performances since moving to Victoria have come under a lot of scrutiny, not being able to impact as he did at the Power, he still averaged 21.2 disposals, 7.8 handballs and 6.3 marks in 2026, all higher than his career average.
Craig McRae has played him in multiple positions since joining the Magpies, which included stints on the wing and in the midfield, but his ball use and skills across the half-back line are where he shines.
While Houston's defensive work was still strong, he didn't impact as much offensively compared to his All-Australian seasons in 2023-24, as he seems to still be finding his feet in Collingwood's system.
A move for Josh Daicos back to the wing position where he was awarded his first All-Australian blazer could help free up the former Port Adelaide All-Australian, but he was still able to show glimpses of his elite ability that McRae will hope to truly unlock in 2027.
