Troy Menzel
After bursting onto the scene at Carlton, Menzel made the switch back home to Adelaide at the end of 2015, however, failed to live up to expectations. The exciting forward turned up to pre-season training in 2016 out of shape, before injuriy issues and then form later in the season prevented him from playing for the Crows at all in 2016.
He has the ability to tear games apart and this year looms as a key year in his footballing future. Must get his body and attitude right and can be a huge asset for the Crows in their push for a flag.
Tom Rockliff
Captain of the Lions last season, before almost finding himself at a new club at the end of the year, it has been a difficult few seasons for Tom Rockliff.
The 26-year-old has been bashed from pillar to post in the media with his leadership and quality as a player questioned by many. This season is instrumental for the onballer.
He must knuckle down and prove to his teammates and new coach, with whom he can have a fresh start, that he is good enough to be one of the game's top midfielders. Alternately, if he does not want to remain at the Lions, it's time to step up and increase his value.
Dale Thomas
Thomas is entering the final year of a lucrative four-year deal. Thus far he has delivered little return on investment. The Collingwood premiership player arrived at the club under an injury cloud and unfortunately he has been unable to shake the injuries that plagued him in his final year at the Pies.
He played 20 games in 2014, just five in 2015 and 18 in 2016. He best return was last season, when he averaged 18 disposals. Hardly worthy of a $700,000 per season contract.
If Thomas can impress this season and return to someone near his best, he can trigger a clause for a fifth year at the Blues. However, he will have to produce an enormous turnaround in form to do so.
Chris Mayne
Mayne, a mainstay in the Fremantle forwards for the past half-a-dozen years, made the move to the Pies during the off-season, to the shock of many fans. Collingwood obviously see him as a key part of its forward line this season, to help the young, up-and-coming Darcy Moore. However, after a few lean seasons at Fremantle, the jury is still out on Mayne. He must repay the faith shown by the Magpies and produce the goods in an otherwise fairly unimpressive Collingwood forward line.
Tom Bellchambers
Big Tom Bellchambers faces a battle win his spot back in the Bombers best 22. He did not enjoy a good year in 2015, with injuries ending his season prematurely. However, his output was well down on his 2013 and '14 form before he sustained his injury.
After a year on the sidelines due to the supplements saga, he returns to the club with former Lion Matthew Leuenberger playing 20 games and holding down the No.1 ruck spot. He averaged 28 hitouts, 12 disposals and 2.5 marks.
Bellchambers' season has not started well, with the ruckman currently sidelined with a knee injury and in doubt for round one.
Harley Bennell
Bennell was finally given the boot from the Gold Coast Suns after one indiscretion too many. He was then traded to Fremantle in search of a fresh start back in his home state of Western Australia.
However, he failed to get on the park in 2016 due to a persistent calf injury.
Bennell has all the talent in the world and has the ability to become one of the best in the competition. But he must get himself right both physically and mentally and prove to fans why he was worthy of another spot on an AFL list after his troubled years at the Suns.
Steven Motlop
After a disappointing 2016, Motlop was put on the trade table at the end of the season.
However, unable to find a home or a suitable deal, he remained a Cat. Motlop now faces the most important season of his career. He must rediscover the form he displayed in 2015, or the out-of-contract speedster could find himself out the door.
Gary Ablett
After three injury-riddled years, Ablett requested a trade back home to Geelong due to personal issues, but was denied by the Suns.
The former skipper must show his teammates he is still committed to the team this year and return to somewhere near his best form.
There is no doubt the spotlight will be firmly on Ablett all year long, both on his on-field performances and his potential move back to Geelong.
Ryan Griffen
Griffen jumped ship from the Bulldogs when he was captain of the club, one of the side's best midfielders and in the same off-season his coach was sacked. It was not a popular decision among Bulldogs fans. However, he clearly went to chase success and many thought he would add some something to the Giants engine room.
However, two seasons into his move, he has hardly set the world on fire. The Giants would be expecting more from Griffen's high profile move and it is about time he delivered. With a plethora of brilliant young talent at the club, he may find himself on the outer if he doesn't find more of the footy.
He averaged 21.2 disposals, 2.7 marks and 5.3 tackles in 15 games last season. As a comparison, he averaged 24, 27, 29 and 23 disposals in his last four seasons at the Dogs.
Jaeger O'Meara
The pressure of the football world will be on Jaeger O'Meara this season. Fans are expecting big things from the former rising star winner, but can he deliver and become the champion he was destined to be?
O'Meara burst onto the scene in 2013, playing every game in his first two seasons and averaging 21.5 disposals, an incredible return for a teenager. However, a debilitating knee injury stalled his career and now with a fresh start we will finally see if the Jaeger-bomb has still got it or the injuries he carried in his final two years at the Suns will continue to plague him.
If he breaks down yet again, who knows what will become of this immensely talented footballer.
Jack Trengove
Trengove has had a difficult time of it due to several major injuries. However, regardless of how unlucky he has been , this year it is make or break. Trengove got himself fit towards the end of last season, but failed to break into Melbourne's senior side. He was given a one-year contract extension at the end of last year, but if he doesn't hit his straps this season, he may not receive another one.
Majak Daw
Majak Daw has been on the Roos list for five years now and managed just 25 senior games. He has shown glimpses, but is no where near consistent enough, nor has he been able to read the game well enough to properly impose himself on the AFL. 2017 must be his year.
With Drew Petrie given the boot and the Roos clearly going down a youth policy route this season, Daw will be given his chance in the forwards and he must take it with both hands or his time will run out and the club will lose patience with the 97kg, 195cm man mountain.
Hamish Hartlett
Hartlett was almost out the door at the end of 2016, despite recently signing a long-term deal with the club. Poor performances last season had both the player and the club thinking a change could be best for both parties. However, Hartlett in the end opted to stay at Alberton.
If he under performs again in 2017, it could be curtains for the 26-year-old at the Power.
Brandon Ellis
Nearly the half the Tigers list could have been named here such was their disappointing output in 2016. However, Ellis was more disappointing than most. The 23-year-old was well down on his numbers from the previous two season. He averaged 23 disposals per game in 2016, down from 26.1 and 25.8 in 2015 and '16 respectively and averaged 85 SuperCoach points, compared to over 100 in 2016.
He was also down on his pressure, work rate and tackling, and needs a big year given he is out of contract. He will be helped by the inclusion of Dion Prestia and Josh Caddy to the Richmond midfield, who will take some of the pressure off.
Jake Carlisle
In his first year at the club, Carlisle must repay the faith in the Saints. The 25-year-old was recruited by St Kilda to sure up the backline and become the mainstay in defense for at least the next five years.
However, a 12-month suspension due to Essendon's supplements regime, followed by Carlisle being caught on camera with cocaine, the former Bomber has a lot to prove. On top of that, the Saints gave up pick No.5 to secure the defender. Was it too much? Only time will tell.
Sam Reid
While Reid has certainly had more back luck than most, 2017 is a vital year for the injury-prone Swan.
He was touted as a future star of the competition, he has the ability to play both down back and in the forward line, however, he has managed just 98 games in seven seasons with the Swans.
His best returns were in 2011 and 2012, when he played 23 and 22 games respectively. However, since then he has struggled to stay on the park due to several injuries. While he is undoubtedly a brilliant player when on the field, he must get his body right and have a big impact this season.
Lewis Jetta
Jetta is another high profile recruit who failed to deliver in 2016. After winning a flag and playing 127 games for Sydney from 2010 to 2015, he managed just 12 in his debut season for West Coast, struggling for consistency.
He will no doubt be looking to have a big year and prove he was a worthy trade just over 12 months ago.
Travis Cloke
No surprises here, with Travis Cloke under a heap of pressure to perform at his new club.
The Doggies won the flag last season with a dynamic and unpredictable forward line. It is difficult to see how Cloke will fit in, especially given his poor form in 2016.
After being left out of the a struggling Pies line-up for much of last season last year, the premiership player will be incredibly keen to prove his doubters wrong and prove he is worthy of a place in the reigning premiers best 22. If he cannot regain his best form this season, then the veteran's career is as good over.