The pre-season Supplemental Selection Period is nearing the end of its sixth edition, with a number of ex-AFL names, state league stars and even a local footballer earning list spots.
Brought in ahead of the 2019 season as a mechanism to assist with long-term injured players, helping fill vacancies on club lists and assess potential AFL prospects, the SSP has been a raging success.
Over the last six years, a total of 81 players from local, state league or top flight sides have found themselves welcomed to AFL clubs, with varying degrees of fortune.
Essendon's Nic Martin is arguably the most successful story coming from the summer signing period.
After winning a WAFL premiership with Subiaco in 2021, the Bombers swooped on the utility to very good effect.
Martin's debut was one for the history books, recording five goals and 27 touches against Geelong, and since, has added 66 matches to his name to be one of Essendon's prime movers.
The SSP has also produced two premiership players in the same amount of seasons, with Oleg Markov rewarding Collingwood's show of faith ahead of the 2023 campaign to secure a flag nine months later.
Markov had previously spent time at Richmond and Gold Coast but was delisted by the latter at the end of 2022.
Brisbane's Conor McKenna, who signed at the same time as Markov, was able to replicate the Pies defender's feat, playing as the sub as the Lions reaped redemption on the year before, claiming the 2024 premiership.
McKenna had spent six seasons at the Bombers for 79 games but returned to Ireland during the COVID-19-impacted years before the Lions pounced.
Adelaide's key defensive posts are made up of repurposed players Nick Murray and Mark Keane.
Murray joined the Crows as a rookie from Williamstown while Keane, like McKenna, departed his former club Collingwood to return to Ireland before venturing back to the AFL via the SSP.
It's surprising to think that Carlton's Matthew Cottrell was initially overlooked by the 18 clubs but has since used that as motivation to claim an important role at the Blues, featuring in 68 games to date.
Western Bulldogs defender Lachie Bramble and St Kilda winger Mason Wood were delisted by rival clubs before returning to AFL lists.
Wood (previously North Melbourne) has become a consistent feature along the Saints' wings while Bramble (previously Hawthorn and Williamstown) has rejuvenated his career under Luke Beveridge across half-back.
The former Hawk is one of two players to have been selected twice in the SSP, joining Keegan Brooksby (West Coast and Hawthorn).
Bramble's teammate Anthony Scott also arrived at Whitten Oval through the same mechanism, featuring at the club's reserves side and Old Trinity in the VAFA.
Scott has played 59 games for the Bulldogs, including the 2021 preliminary final.
Richmond small forward Rhyan Mansell defied the odds when he made it onto the club's list after impressive stints in the SANFL and Tasmania State League.
Mansell is now viewed as a leader of the Tigers and a key asset in the club's rebuild.
Former No.1 Pick Paddy McCartin's AFL revival was in full swing after initially taking time away from football to deal with the complications from repeated concussions.
Departing St Kilda at the end of 2019, McCartin joined the VFL ranks for Sydney in 2021 and was signed to an AFL contract ahead of the 2022 campaign.
The Geelong Falcons product was turned into a key defender to good effect, playing 24 games for the Swans - including the 81-point grand final loss to Geelong.
Unfortunately, McCartin was unable to recapture the same luck in 2023, suffering further concussions which led to his retirement.
The Swans found success in the form of 2019 SSP addition Hayden McLean, who has played 79 games in the red and white, while Saint Anthony Caminiti, Blue Alex Cincotta, Docker Jeremy Sharp and Tiger Mykelti Lefau look to be potential SSP success stories.
