Entering any new AFL season comes with a level of pressure and scrutiny, but it can rise to astronomical heights if you're fighting for your career.
Heading into the 2026 campaign, over 300 players have yet to have their futures confirmed. However, the majority of those are more than likely to remain at their current club, seek a new opportunity or hang up the boots.
This leaves a host of players in contract limbo, and their efforts in the new season will determine where they will be next year...
Jakob Ryan
Dashing defender Jakob Ryan from Collingwood will also be pressing his claim for more senior opportunities or potentially fall into the abyss.
Ryan was drafted as a highly-touted athlete, but has played one game for the Pies in three years as Craig McRae has taken preference for Brayden Maynard, Isaac Quaynor, Dan Houston, Harry Perryman and Jeremy Howe.
Scott Pendlebury, Jack Crisp, and the Daicos brothers have also spent time across halfback, pushing Ryan further away from senior selection.
The 21-year-old has lit up the training track and is constantly in conversations around selection, but has failed to translate that to AFL standard.
