SEVERAL AFL clubs entered the Supplemental Selection Period (SSP) with open list spots, with five players already finding homes at new clubs. Fremantle signed Mason Cox from Collingwood, while Jayden Laverde (Essendon) landed at GWS, and West Coast leant on its new rookie list concessions to land trio Harry Schoenberg, Deven Robertson, and Finlay Macrae.

With those handful of signings in tow, there remains plenty more opportunities for fresh faces to earn a shot at the top level, or others to latch onto a lifeline. We went through the train-on players from every club, profiling those who have not yet earned an AFL opportunity, or have spent at least a couple of years away from the AFL limelight.

ADELAIDE CROWS

Zac Foot (Southport VFL)
Midfielder | 180cm | 24/12/2000

A player looking for his second chance at AFL level, Foot originally got his chance with Sydney. A powerful, daring runner who takes the game on with high-end speed, the Dandenong Stingrays graduate has established himself at VFL level with Southport. There, he took out best and fairest honours and was named in the league’s Team of the Year. Foot averaged 23.8 disposals, 6.7 marks and 5.1 inside 50s per game to press his claims for an elite level recall, with his best traits suiting modern AFL trends.

Thomas McGuane (Western Jets)
Midfielder | 178cm | 27/08/2007

There has been plenty spoken about McGuane, who was overlooked for father-son selection to Collingwood. The Western Jets product is a midfielder with elite footy IQ, able to run both hard and smart to rack up possessions at will. He was one of the Talent League’s most consistent performers since debuting in 2023, even topping the competition’s disposal charts last year. McGuane is only light and not overly powerful, but takes the game forward and can play a variety of roles around the square.

CARLTON

Wesley Walley (Subiaco)
Forward | 182cm | 29/11/2007

Making his way over to Victoria having been through West Coast’s Next Generation Academy program, Walley has all the tools to make it as a livewire goalkicking forward. He’s quick off the mark and difficult to contain aerially at 182cm, making him a dynamic threat whichever way the ball enters his area. While inconsistent and scuppered by a shoulder injury this year, Walley is an eye-catcher at his best and was recognised with National Academy selection heading into the season. There’s plenty of talent to unwrap.

Note: Carlton will also have delisted pair Elijah Hollands and Will White training with its senior group in hopes of earning a lifeline via the SSP.

ESSENDON

Injuries seem to follow Essendon like a curse and the latest news is that star utility Nic Martin will sit out the entire 2026 season after additional surgery on his injured knee. That may open the door for delisted midfielder Will Setterfield to nab another opportunity in the coveted sash, pending an uptake in fitness after his own foot injury. Meanwhile, axed Carlton running machine Jaxon Binns is signed on to the VFL side, but has impressed in the senior group.

FREMANTLE

Zac Harding (Murray Bushrangers)
Ruck | 199cm | 01/01/2006

Harding came a long way in his over-age year, establishing himself as Vic Country’s number one ruck choice and earning a state combine invite. The 199cm big man is physically imposing and highly competitive, able to not only get first hand on the ball, but also follow up with aggressive ground level work. His skills are quite sound for a player his size, though Harding can continue to work on his endurance base and forward craft to make it at the next level, especially at under 200cm.

Christopher Scerri (Northern Bullants)
Small Forward | 177cm | 06/07/2003

Scerri rose from local Under 19 footy at Strathmore to become the Northern Bullants’ best first year player in 2025. The speedy small forward had signed on for Richmond VFL after the Bullants’ state league departure, but is now showing his wares out west with Fremantle. The Dockers had Scerri complete pre-draft testing and medicals, after he helped Strathmore take out the EDFL flag. The competitive 22-year-old averaged 12.4 touches and kicked five goals in 18 VFL games this year.

HAWTHORN

Brodie McLaughlin (Williamstown)
Key Forward | 193cm | 20/11/1997

Hawthorn is another club with a former AFL-listed player in its sights. After being let go by Gold Coast in 2023, the 193cm forward won a second VFL goalkicking award in his second season with Williamstown and looks on track to revive his top flight career. McLaughlin kicked goals in each of his 20 appearances this year, tallying 71 majors overall with a high of seven. His extraordinary exploits captured the attention of Hawthorn, who will be seeking to remain a premiership contender with readymade talent.

Note: Hawthorn also has Box Hill Hawks duo Kye Declase and Ethan Stanley training with its senior group during preseason.

PORT ADELAIDE

Balyn O’Brien (Norwood)
Defender | 187cm | 26/01/2007

One of a couple local prospects picked to train with Port Adelaide, O’Brien is a relentlessly competitive defender. The 187cm Norwood product spent the back-end of the season at senior level having previously been part of SA’s undefeated Under 18 side. He splits aerial contests and follows up hard at ground level, proving to be an astute and stingy lockdown type. O’Brien earned a draft combine invite on the back of his first year in the SA state program, signalling a strong rate of development.

Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier (North Adelaide)
Midfielder | 181cm | 11/04/2007

An addition to Port Adelaide’s train-on list, Oudshoorn-Bennier was considered unlucky to be overlooked at the draft but may well get his chance after the fact. He’s a classy operator who pushed through a torn labrum to play out the season, including senior exposure with North Adelaide and a full state championships campaign. The midfielder has an innate ability to step out of traffic and utilise his penetrative foot skills, while his leadership qualities have been noted throughout the SA pathway.

Mitchell Zadow (East Fremantle)
Small Forward | 180cm | 11/03/2004

Somewhat of an unknown amongst the overall group of train-on players, Zadow has headed over from Western Australia to press his claims down south. The East Fremantle goalsneak broke out in 2025, winning the Sharks’ Rising Star award on the back of 18 goals in 14 WAFL League matches – including 12 in his last seven. He made his top flight debut last year but spent the majority of time at Reserves level after graduating from the club’s Colts program.

Note: 2018 AFL Rising Star winner Jaidyn Stephenson is also looking to revive his career as a train-on with the Power, having played 122 games across seven seasons with Collingwood and North Melbourne. He kicked 38 goals in 18 games with local side Ferntree Gully this year.

RICHMOND

Thomas Burton (Western Jets)
Defender/Midfielder | 178cm | 09/01/2007

Burton was among the players deemed unlucky not to find a home in the National Draft, but remains in the mix after an esteemed junior career. The Western Jets product ticks plenty of boxes, most notably in the way of production and running given he was one of the Talent League’s most consistent performers this year. While quieter for Vic Metro, his ability to daringly break the lines as a defender is complimented by high-volume repeat efforts in midfield. He has plenty to give standards-wise, too.

Marcus Krasnadamskis (Eastern Ranges)
Ruck | 201cm | 18/06/2007

An emerging ruck who perhaps wasn’t quite ready for a shot in the National Draft, Krasnadamskis garnered plenty of interest nonetheless. He has shown a strong rate of improvement since converting from basketball, boasting a strong leap and good pace off the mark for a player his size. What’s more, he’s a great competitor who likes to impact as frequently as possible. Krasnadamskis was part of Eastern Ranges’ premiership side this year along with the region’s four first round draftees.

ST KILDA

Oskar Ainsworth (Western Jets)
Forward/Midfielder | 187cm | 26/04/2007

Yet another Western Jets prospect in contention for an AFL chance, Ainsworth fits in the category of late-developer. While his grandfather Geoff captained Geelong in the 1970s, Ainsworth came to football relatively late from basketball and made great strides in 2025. He broke out with 21 goals in 12 Talent League games, including multiple hauls of five to stake his claim as a natural forward. Ainsworth also spent time in midfield and even started the year down back, showcasing great power and athleticism.

Note: St Kilda also has five-game former Essendon player Tex Wanganeen (son of Gavin) training for a SSP spot after impressing with Port Melbourne in the VFL this year.