Adelaide - Brodie Martin
Martin was on the verge of a breakout year in 2009 before rupturing his ACL against Port Adelaide. The 22-year-old completed his recovery to play two games last season, starring with 28 possessions against St Kilda in round 22. He has taken over Simon Goodwin's famous No.36 guernsey and has been earmarked to fill the retired skipper's attacking role across half-back.
Brisbane Lions - Matthew Leuenberger
The athletic young ruckman's fifth season should be one of vast improvement as he shoulders more ruck responsibility and capitalises on his supreme running ability. With Mitch Clark expected to play as a permanent forward this season, Leuenberger, who played all 22 games in 2010, will again lead the Lions' ruck division this year.
Carlton - Chris Yarran
The lively forward has shown glimpses of brilliance in 22 games since the Blues took him with the sixth pick at the 2008 NAB AFL Draft, but it appears Brett Ratten is looking to get him among the action more often. The youngster has been played off half-back during intra-club games in the hope he might be able to provide similar run and creativity to that offered by Jarrod Harbrow for the Bulldogs before his move to Gold Coast.
Collingwood - Andrew Krakouer
The new recruit has already got Pies fans excited after a stellar four-goal display in Collingwood's first intra club match. Has the ability to dominate games, as he showed in the WAFL grand final last year with 40 touches and four goals, and will relish the opportunity to prove himself again at AFL level.
Essendon - David Myers
Myers has had a slow start to his career at Essendon, but 2011 (his fourth year in the system) will hopefully see the West Australian string together some good form. Myers' history with injury is well documented, but it has been his lack of endurance that has held back ambitions to play in the midfield. He has worked closely with coach James Hird throughout the pre-season.
Fremantle - Nat Fyfe
Despite showing so much promise as a half-forward last year, it may be time for this exciting 19-year-old to move more permanently into the midfield in his second season. After spending the summer adding much-needed muscle to his 186cm frame, Fyfe also became an elite runner this pre-season, finishing top-three in Fremantle's time trials.
Geelong - Mitch Brown
Brown was Geelong's first-round draft pick (selection 15 overall) in the 2008 NAB AFL Draft, but has had a terrible run with injuries since. He is yet to make his debut - he hasn't even played a NAB Cup game yet - but the tall forward has a lot of talent, and many will be looking forward to seeing it on show if given an opportunity under Chris Scott.
Gold Coast - Josh Toy
Experts say Toy would have rivalled David Swallow as the No.1 pick in last year's NAB AFL Draft had he not been snapped up by Gold Coast as a 17-year-old prior to the draft. The defender was limited to four VFL games for the Suns last season because of school commitments, but was a star in junior ranks and should become a regular at AFL level this year.
Greater Western Sydney - Stephen Clifton
At the age of 23, Clifton finds himself one of the more senior players with the Giants. The three-time North Ballarat premiership midfielder and 2010 VFL joint best and fairest winner has plenty of experience to offer the young list and will be keen to make his mark during the NAB Cup.
Hawthorn - Max Bailey
Three knee reconstructions have restricted the highly-rated ruckman to just six matches since he was picked in the first round of the 2005 NAB AFL Draft. The 206cm giant pushed for a return to football late last season after recovering from his third reconstruction, but the club opted to keep him sidelined so he could have a clear run at his preparation for 2011. Bailey was able to complete a full pre-season as a result and is well placed to get his career back on track.
Melbourne - Jack Watts
Big expectations have followed Watts since before he was drafted at No.1. Now in his third year in the AFL system and with a body hardened for senior football, 2011 could be the year that he comes of age as a footballer. The NAB Cup campaign should give a good indication of how central he will be to Melbourne's game plan as a key forward.
North Melbourne - Majak Daw
He's probably more Majak 'Raw' than anything else, but many will be hoping to see the athletic ruckman get an opportunity in the pre-season competition. Daw, the first AFL player of Sudanese descent, is capable of brilliant bursts of pace and agility and, as a rookie, the NAB Cup format may be the best chance for him to develop his game awareness.
Port Adelaide - Jasper Pittard
Pittard impressed in two SANFL games for Sturt last season before injuring his hamstring. The second-year player was named as an emergency for Port Adelaide four times late in the year and, with draftee Ben Jacobs set to miss most of the NAB Cup has an opportunity to cement his spot as the Power's preferred kicking option out of defence.
Richmond - Trent Cotchin
For the first time ever, Cotchin comes into an AFL season with a full pre-season behind him. He has shaken off the injury problems that plagued his first few years and looks set to consolidate himself in Richmond's midfield. With Ben Cousins gone, Cotchin's importance to the Tigers engine room has risen.
St Kilda - Ben McEvoy
McEvoy reportedly ran a 3km time trial in less than 10 minutes during pre-season training, which is extraordinarily quick for a player of his size. With Steven King retired, Michael Gardiner and Justin Koschitzke coming off injury and Rhys Stanley suspended, McEvoy has a chance to make the ruck spot his own.
Sydney Swans - Gary Rohan
The flame-haired high-flyer managed nine games in his first season at the club to provide a tantalising glimpse of things to come. With the benefit of a full pre-season, the 19-year-old will be better equipped to sustain his dashing runs across four quarters. His early taste of the pace and intensity at the elite level should also allow him to have a greater impact inside the Swans' attacking arc.
West Coast - Josh Kennedy
The time has come for this No.4 draft pick, entering his sixth season, to deliver on his undoubted potential more consistently. The imposing 23-year-old played through injury and faded in the second half of 2010, but if he can get better service from a young midfield he appears ripe to take big steps in 2011.
Western Bulldogs - Callan Ward
It was a disappointing season 2010 for the talented youngster, who was plagued by injury and only managed 10 games. He finished up last year with 30 touches in the Bulldogs' preliminary final loss to St Kilda and coach Rodney Eade will be hoping Ward can establish himself as a key component of their midfield in 2011.
The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs
