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:
Sid Draper and Dan Curtin
This pair have been packaged up because they are both crucial to Adelaide and Matthew Nicks' hopes in 2027.
After missing out on Brisbane star Zac Bailey, Adelaide chose to stay quiet during the off-season and hold onto its salary war chest ahead of targeting South Australian natives Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Will Day in 12 months' time.
That has left Crows list manager Jarryd Roughead to back in the club's youth next season, especially in the midfield.
The responsibility now falls on 2023 Pick 8 Dan Curtin and 2024 Pick 4 Sid Draper to emerge as first choice midfielders alongside Jordan Dawson and Izak Rankine in 2027.
Curtin has shown promise, but injuries have slowed his development. The 197cm midfielder has a point of difference with his height, physicality and cleanliness and is the more likely of the two to stamp his authority next season.
Draper is an interesting watch. He was touted as a potential Pick 1 in his draft year and showed glimpses of his speed and promise during 10 games in season one.
However, through injury and form he failed to play a senior game in 2026 and he definitely did not bang the door down in the SANFL, averaging 17 disposals and kicking six goals in 16 games.
Both will be hoping to play a part in a Crows finals run next season and help keep coach Nicks' job while his seat remains hot.
