There are plenty of key players who aren't getting a run in the ones for your club this season.

AFL.com.au reporters nominate the stars that are out of favour and explain the reasons why.

Scott Thompson

The 34-year-old veteran hasn't been able to add to his career tally of 307 games this season. Shoulder, calf and thigh injuries hampered Thompson's pre-season, and although he's been able to regain some solid form in the SANFL, it's clear he's fallen down the midfield pecking order. Matt (31.9 possessions per game) and Brad Crouch (27.5) are having career-best seasons and Charlie Cameron, Rory Atkins and Wayne Milera have added pace to Adelaide's midfield. Hugh Greenwood is probably the player keeping Thompson out of the side with his toughness when the ball is up for grabs and grunt work at stoppages. - Lee Gaskin

Tom Bell

The burly half-forward/wing started the season in Chris Fagan's best team, but has been dropped twice already for poor form. Bell is a powerhouse runner, but put simply, hasn't been as physical as he can be. Ryan Bastinac has been given a reprieve in Bell's absence, while Tom Cutler has also been used in a similar role. Bell has gone back to NEAFL and excelled – he's above that level – and with some more aggression in his game, can certainly win his spot back. - Michael Whiting

Dylan Buckley

The son of club great Jim has been unable to break into the seniors this season, despite encouraging displays in the VFL. In his fifth season at Ikon Park, Buckley, 24, suffered a setback in the JLT Community Series when he hurt his hip. He has worked hard on the defensive elements of his game to complement his strengths of providing explosive run and rebound. Buckley has a penetrating right boot and plays with energy and enthusiasm. He managed 11 senior games last year to take his total to 38, but needs to perform well in the remaining matches and secure another chance at AFL level as he is out of contract at the end of this season. - Howard Kotton

Chris Mayne

Many have already written off the former Docker's four-year, reportedly $2 million contract as a dud deal for the Pies. At his best in a strong Fremantle side, Mayne was a 30-40-goal forward, but in a developing Pies line-up the 28-year-old was underwhelming in the opening three rounds, kicking just two goals, and hasn't returned since. This week coach Nathan Buckley admitted Mayne's output hadn't been to the level expected but insisted the Pies were committed to helping him rediscover his best footy. The road back is clear – Mayne needs to knock the door down with performance. His most recent VFL effort was encouraging – he bagged a season-high four goals from limited opportunities and started to launch himself at aerial duels. - Ben Collins

High-profile recruit Chris Mayne hasn't delivered for the Pies thus far. Picture: AFL Photos

Craig Bird

Bird played 18 games for Essendon last year, his first season at the club after eight years with Sydney, including playing in the Swans' 2012 premiership win. He added important experience and grunt to the depleted Bombers' midfield, and averaged nearly 21 disposals as Essendon claimed the wooden spoon. However, Bird has yet to play at senior level this season despite strong and consistent ball-winning form in the VFL. The simple reason is Essendon already has many of his type and speed in its midfield: Jobe Watson has returned, Brendon Goddard is playing strong footy and David Myers and Dyson Heppell are back. There isn't room for another player of Bird's pace in the midfield unit, but he at least will be ready to go if called upon. - Callum Twomey

Nick Suban

It was a surprise when Suban was picked in round one to fill the small forward void left by an injured Hayden Ballantyne, and after booting only one goal in the opening two games the 27-year-old found himself on the outer. The Dockers' 0-2 start to the season prompted coach Ross Lyon to turn to youth, and Suban was one of six players axed for round three. Suban has been an emergency several times since he was dropped but despite some solid form at Peel – including 26-disposal games in rounds eight and 10 of the WAFL season – he hasn't been able to crack a senior return in a rebuilding Freo line-up, with Brady Grey and Ed Langdon ahead in the pecking order. - Travis King

Aaron Black

The ex-North Melbourne forward isn't doing much wrong when it comes to endeavour, but he simply isn't kicking enough goals at VFL level to break into the side. He played three AFL games between rounds five and seven for four goals, but went back to the VFL after the loss to Gold Coast and has managed four goals in three games since. Black is going OK, but essentially needs an opportunity to present itself given Rhys Stanley got the nod last week to replace Tom Hawkins, while Wylie Buzza is screaming out for his AFL debut. Although Nakia Cockatoo is out for a bit with a fresh hamstring complaint, Brandan Parfitt and Lincoln McCarthy are moving closer to availability after long-term injuries, which could make things tough for Black in the back half of the season. – Jennifer Phelan.

Trent McKenzie

'The Cannon' was one of the most recognizable Suns in their first four seasons, but the languid left-footed defender is now struggling to get a game. In fact, McKenzie has been stuck on 99 career games since his last appearance in round 14 last season. A combination of form and most recently injury – hamstring and calf – have kept him out. Kade Kolodjashnij has cemented the role as a third tall defender who can also use the ball well, making it difficult for McKenzie to squeeze back in. He's out of contract at season's end, but if he tightens up defensively at NEAFL level, coach Rodney Eade has shown he's prepared to elevate players in form. - Michael Whiting

'The Cannon' has failed to fire in 2017. Picture: AFL Photos

Jeremy Finlayson

The club's shocking injury list should have given Finlayson an opportunity to make his debut early this year, but unfortunately a groin problem came at the wrong time and has limited him to just five NEAFL games. The athletic tall defender has averaged 28.8 possessions per game this year and his versatility allows him to play at either end of the ground, or on a wing, which makes him an exciting prospect. The GWS academy product is a real chance to play senior footy in the next month, perhaps even against the Brisbane Lions this week. - Adam Curley

Kurt Heatherley

Both of the New Zealand born-and-bred defender's games at AFL level have been as match-day injury replacements. He came in for Kaiden Brand at the last minute for the round nine Collingwood clash and did OK, as he did last year when he was rushed in for a late-season loss to Melbourne. Rangy and with a bit of agro, he has been a key figure in the backline for Box Hill, which has yet to lose a game this year, but with finals unlikely for Hawthorn, the time has come to 'play the kids' as such and the Hawks need to discover whether Heatherley, in whom they have invested so much since bringing across the Tasman as an international rookie several years ago, can play at the level. Ryan Schoenmakers hasn't played at AFL level since round one, but despite some good form at VFL level, it seems to be a case of 'prefer others', as the racing writers used to write when compiling the form. - Ashley Browne

Jack Trengove

The former co-captain has not played for Melbourne since round 13, 2016 and has managed just five matches in the last four seasons. Plagued by a career-threatening foot injury in his navicular bone, Trengove has fallen behind the likes of dynamic youngsters Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca as Melbourne has heralded a new era. Rather than being downcast about the situation, Trengove's leadership and experience has been crucial for VFL affiliate the Casey Demons and he continues to set high standards for his teammates. The 25-year-old has been in excellent form in the VFL, averaging 24.6 disposals per game this season. Trengove, pick No.2 in the 2009 NAB AFL Draft, lacks the zip and power that was apparent in his game before the injuries took hold. Out of contract at season's end, it appears as if 2017 will be Trengove's last at the Demons. - Ben Guthrie

Jack Trengove has been dominating in the VFL. Picture: AFL Photos

Sam Durdin

Bullocking ruckman Braydon Preuss was another option for this, but Durdin is also screaming for an opportunity – and may be closer to a regular senior spot. The 20-year-old key defender, the 16th pick in the 2014 draft, has blossomed in his third season at AFL level, made his debut in round three and played again in round eight. Both opportunities came through suspension; firstly, Scott Thompson then Jarrad Waite. Therein lies the Roos' predicament with Durdin, who suffered a game-ending concussion in the first quarter in the VFL at the weekend. They haven't been able to find him a spot because of the experienced key-position talent in front of him. He looks to be in a battle with out-of-contract veteran Lachie Hansen to be the third tall down back for the rest of the season. You would imagine 198cm Durdin will be a first-choice player by round one next year at the latest. - Marc McGowan

Logan Austin

After showing some promising signs in 11 games last season, the 21-year-old key defender has slipped out of the Power's rotation this year. A lengthy recovery from an ankle injury disrupted Austin's pre-season and allowed Tom Clurey to establish himself in the Power's backline alongside Tom Jonas and Jack Hombsch. With all three in solid form this year, the 196cm, 92kg Austin may need to look elsewhere at the end of the season for greater opportunities to play regular senior football. Ruckman Matthew Lobbe is at a crossroads behind Paddy Ryder, but at 28 and with two years left on a lucrative contract, he's unlikely to find clubs willing to take him on. - Lee Gaskin

Anthony Miles

A regular fixture in the Tigers' 22 in his first three seasons with the club, Miles has fallen out of favour and played just two games in 2017. The tough inside midfielder has been the victim of Richmond's midfield recruiting, with Dion Prestia and Josh Caddy joining the club and playing key roles in that part of the ground, with Caddy also rotating forward. Coach Damien Hardwick has acknowledged on a number of occasions that Miles is above VFL level, regular racking up more than 30 possessions in state league games, but he cannot fit into the senior team. The 25-year-old finished sixth in the best and fairest award last year, and fourth in 2015, so he is highly rated at the club. He does need to improve his disposal efficiency to demand selection, however, running at 57.9 per cent efficiency when recalled in round seven and registering eight clangers in round nine. - Nathan Schmook

Tom Hickey

The ruckman was dropped after the Saints' 14-point win against Collingwood in round four. He was beaten by Brodie Grundy that day and struggled in games against Melbourne's Max Gawn and the Lions' Stefan Martin. Part of the problem was Hickey lacked presence at stoppages and wasn't showing enough physicality. Billy Longer has come into the team and improved St Kilda in that respect. A medial strain in Hickey's left knee sidelined him for a few weeks and upon returning, he has been an emergency over the past fortnight. Hickey showed when he cemented a spot in the best 22 last year that his mobility made him one of the competition's better ruckman, but the Queensland-native has not performed well enough in the VFL to demand selection in Alan Richardson's side. – Dinny Navaratnam 

Aliir Aliir

The key defender was a revelation in 13 games last year before he was injured against Geelong in the prelim and missed the Grand Final, and it has been all downhill from there. The 22-year-old struggled with a toe injury over summer but managed to get back for round two, before being dropped three weeks later due to form and fitness concerns. He earned a recall against the Brisbane Lions in round seven but was axed for missing training the day before the game, and youngster Lewis Melican has taken his chance to grab Aliir's spot in the Swans' back six. - Adam Curley

Luke Partington

Given West Coast's inconsistent form and midfield woes it seemed a matter of time until Luke Partington would crack a debut game, but the 20-year-old is still biding his time at East Perth. Partington was racking up big numbers for the Royals in the opening half of the season, however his effectiveness was questionable and a glut of inside midfielders at West Coast kept him out of the line-up. It seems Partington has changed his role in recent weeks to become more damaging - with the South Australian booting three goals against West Perth recently and adding another from a season-low 17 touches against Subiaco – which might help his cause. - Travis King

Luke Partington could yet come in for his debut this season. Picture: AFL Photos

Tom Campbell

In five seasons at Whitten Oval, the 25-year-old has only managed to play 39 games, and only four this season. It appears his lack of mobility and versatility is holding him back under Luke Beveridge’s flexibility mantra. While he can take a strong contested mark and kick a long goal, Campbell struggles to cover the ground that mobile big men Jordan Roughead and Tom Boyd do. Despite signing a two-year deal at the end of last season, the former rookie may be better off looking for a fresh start at another club, with first-year ruckman Tim English developing at a rapid rate . - Ryan Davidson