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:
Jack Whitlock
When Whitlock was overlooked in the first round of the draft before being taken in the second on night two, he said the snub had lit a fire in his belly.
The 200cm key forward has impressed without starring for Port Adelaide in his first two seasons, kicking 28 goals from 27 games.
Expect his growth to continue in 2027 and to form a strong partnership with Mitch Georgiades (192cm). The two key forwards are both strong in contested marking and separating from opponents, and pose different problems with their heights for opposition defences.
With expected Pick 1 and Port Adelaide Academy player Dougie Cochran set to join the club at this year's draft, the Power have a threatening forward line to come in future years.
The main problem that could halt Whitlock's growth will be whether Port Adelaide's midfield without Butters and captain Connor Rozee (for the start of the season) can produce enough supply.
Whitlock kicked three goals in three games in 2026 and multiple goals in nine out of 23 matches this season.
