Ahead of the JLT series and the up and coming season we've analysed each club and highlighted who is feeling a little pressure going into the season.

Hawthorn: Jaeger O'Meara 

Brought in to replace the experienced duo of Jordan Lewis and Sam Mitchell, his persistent knee issues prevented him to just six games last season. After two seasons on the sidelines for the Gold Coast, the pressure is mounting on O'Meara to justify what Hawthorn gave up for him.

Melbourne: Angus Brayshaw 

With concussion sidelining Brayshaw for most of last season and with Melbourne looking to play finals, Brayshaw needs to return playing the good footy that heโ€™s capable of. He's a contested ball and tackling machine and remains an important piece of the Melbourne's best 22, when fit.

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 24: Simon Goodwin the assistant coach of the Demons speaks to Angus Brayshaw during the round five AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the Richmond Tigers at Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 24, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

North Melbourne: Todd Goldstein 

Having lost the number one ruck mantle to Braydon Preuss last season, Goldstein has voiced how he battled with mental issues last season that severely affected his form. Can he return to his best, which was on display in 2016 where he was in the top echelon of ruckmen?

Port Adelaide: Jack Watts 

It's very easy to pick on the new recruit and especially Jack Watts, but he's still under a lot of pressure to shake off pressure of being the number one pick. He's at a new club who is tipped to contend this year, so Watts will need to perform consistently if he wishes to play finals footy this season.

Richmond: Reece Conca 

Conca played the first six games last year before breaking his foot, where he failed to return to the side that eventually won the premiership. Over the past three seasons, there have been rumours and murmurs of a trade back home to WA, so this might be a make or break season for Conca.

St Kilda: Paddy McCartin

The former number one draft pick simply hasn't delivered since his he got drafted. 2018 seems like a make or break year for McCartin, after having his first three years scarred by concussion. With Riewoldt retiring, there is a void that needs to be filled and it looks like McCartin will get the first crack at filling it.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 23: Paddy McCartin of the Saints marks the ball during a St Kilda Saints AFL training session at Linen House Oval on March 23, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

Sydney: Aliir Aliir 

Dropped last year to work on his defensive skills, Aliir was very disappointing in his third year at the Swans. With Grundy an automatic lock in defence, Aliir will need to perform this year if he wishes to play ahead of the likes of rising stars Lewis Melican and Nic Newman.

West Coast: Nic Naitanui 

With news that he has suffered a bone on bone injury on his repaired knee, Nic Nat hasn't played since the final rounds in 2016. He's such a big asset for the Eagles and he'd be feeling a lot of pressure to get his knee right, so he can help the Eagles make the finals again this year.

Western Bulldogs: Josh Schache 

After his move from the Lions, Schache is looking to put a tumultuous season behind him. In a year where he re-signed with the Lions, then got traded back home to Victoria, Schache will be under heaps of pressure to perform in a forward line that failed miserably last year, with the likes of Travis Cloke, Stuart Crameri, Jake Stringer and Tory Dickson all providing inconsistent performances.