One of the favourite pastimes of a football fan is took look at the potential in a player and imagine what they could become in the future. With the 2026 season done, there is now more than four months of fantasising and pondering about what each club and player can do in 2027.
Every season, a player from nowhere makes their mark. This year's version of that was Sydney SSP recruit Jai Serong.
Then there are the young stars ready to emerge as some of the league's best, à la Fremantle's Murphy Reid who claimed his maiden All-Australian at 20.
There are breakout stars to watch, but there are plenty of players who hang in the balance of promising talent and potential but failing to deliver, how will they fare next year?
We at Zero Hanger have listed the 10 players to watch and why in 2027:
Josh Ward
The 23-year-old had an impressive season at Hawthorn in 2026, but what he produced in the final quarter of the Preliminary Final against Brisbane demonstrated Ward has another level to go to in 2027.
Ward was electric in the final 30 minutes of the thrilling loss to the Lions, nearly dragging his side into a Grand Final.
In the fourth quarter, Ward registered eight disposals, five contested possessions, four clearances, four tackles and three goal assists in a frightening display against the eventual premiers.
A Pick 7 in the 2021 National Draft, Ward has been a slow burn for the Hawks but his consistency and performances have grown to match his professionalism off field.
Midfield spots will be harder to come by with the full return of Will Day from injury and the recruitment of Zach Merrett from Essendon.
But after witnessing Ward produce a starring fourth quarter effort in the game of the season, expect the young gun to have a breakout campaign in 2027.
