One of the favourite pastimes of a football fan is to 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:
Zach Reid
Finally, the Pick 10 from 2020 and Essendon key defender got some continuity in his body in 2026; six seasons after being drafted.
Reid had only managed 19 games across his first five years in the system as his body consistently failed him.
The 24-year-old's promise was finally on display this year, playing 23 games and impressing without dominating the backline.
With new Essendon coach Mark McVeigh's focus on pressure and defence for the pre-season and 2027, expect this to allow Reid's natural 202cm assets to come to the fore.
If his teammates can help the Essendon back six to not be under constant bombardment by opposition midfields and forwards, Reid can take his game to another level in 2027.
The 24-year-old still has plenty of good football ahead of him, and finally the club is bringing in on and off field assets to assist him and the team.
