There are just over two weeks left for AFL clubs to make moves in the Supplemental Selection Period, with several sides currently home to train-on prospects while a further few could open list spots or add to their list via the pre-season signing window.
The SSP opened in late November and saw Melbourne (Marty Hore), Fremantle (Jeremy Sharp) and the Western Bulldogs (Lachie Bramble) sign players on the opening day of the period.
The Dockers could fill a further two list spots and have welcomed a quartet of players to train for opportunities under Justin Longmuir, with clubs able to have two train-on players for each free list spot.
Following the signing of Sharp, Fremantle moved injured pair Josh Corbett and Sebit Kuek to the inactive list to open up two more list chances.
Former Essendon forward Patrick Voss is among those looking to prove their worth at Cockburn, with the 2023 VFL best and fairest winner joined by local forward Sam van Rooyen, Woodville-West Torrens talent Max Beattie and delisted St Kilda wingman Dan McKenzie in pushing for a position in purple.
McKenzie was a chance to train with the Saints after his delisting and injury-riddled past year, however the club's draft plans saw them without room for the 27-year-old.
The outside midfielder is also expected to train with Gold Coast if a list spot doesn't arise during his time with the Dockers, with the Suns having a pair of list spots open themselves.
Gold Coast did have ex-North Melbourne defender Aiden Bonar and former St Kilda forward Jack Peris training prior to the new year. However, the duo have since signed with VFL clubs Williamstown and Essendon, respectively, to likely signal their time at Carrara has ended.
The Suns could add to their training program or leave the last chance to McKenzie, who would add experience and some much-needed run to Damien Hardwick's squad.
Hardwick's old club, Richmond, invited VFL-listed utility Mykelti Lefau and Western Australian Mitch Schofield to train at Punt Road, with the pair contesting for the one list spot.
The duo have continued to fight for a forward role under new coach Adem Yze, with the Tigers potentially considering further attacking reinforcement in the absence of Tom Lych while experimenting with Noah Balta's move into the forward 50 from defence.
North Melbourne have just one list spot free for the SSP, however no train-on talent has been confirmed by the club. The Roos have looked toward a host of VFL players - new and old - to join in during the pre-season so far.
Among those are ex-Demon Deakyn Smith, former Hawthorn midfielder Connor Downie, overlooked draftee Kade De La Rue and 2023-listed trio Sam Lowson, Tom Cappellari and Tyler Sellers, among others.
Collingwood has been the busiest club so far this SSP, having six players train for three list spots and potentially join the reigning premiers.
Ex-AFL listed pair Jack Bytel and Brynn Teakle are training in the black and white in the hope of landing lifelines after being delisted by St Kilda and Port Adelaide, respectively, this off-season.
Bytel firms as a name who could add some depth to Craig McRae's midfield unit after the loss of Taylor Adams during the recent trade period, with VFL captain Campbell Hustwaite and Footscray star Lachie Sullivan pushing for a similar role.
Teakle can be used across all three lines of the field, having earned his chance with Port Adelaide after a dominant period with WAFL club East Fremantle as a ruck-forward.
The 2022 Mid-Season Draft selection was trialled as a defender for Port Adelaide in the SANFL last year prior to his delisting.
Former Essendon-listed swingman Joshua Eyre has been utilised as a defender during his time with Collingwood and has impressed with his ability in the air and by foot, with the 21-year-old pushing for his own second chance after falling short at St Kilda via a training chance 12 months ago at Moorabbin.
Local footballer Sam Sofronidis is another who could add to the Magpies' backline options, with the athletic defender linking up with Collingwood after a strong year in the WAFA with Collegians.
The Magpies are planning to keep a list spot free for the Mid-Season Draft and could do so while filling their trio of open list spots, with forward Dan McStay's ACL injury an avenue the club could take to make a fourth position vacant.
The Western Bulldogs could consider a similar move after midfielder Bailey Smith also saw his 2024 campaign come to an end before it began with a season-ending knee injury to the former top 10 pick will also allow the Dogs to open a list spot by moving Smith to the inactive list.
Carlton are in the position with Jack Silvagni after the forward's season-ending ACL injury, however News Corpย has reported that the Blues won't add a train-on prospect to their pre-season program and will instead consider an open list spot for the Mid-Season Draft.
The Blues signed both Alex Cincotta and Hudson O'Keeffe late into last year's SSP period after moving Zac Williams and Sam Philp to the inactive list during the pre-season.
Clubs have until February 19 to sign players through the SSP, with any leftover open list spots able to be used at the Mid-Season Draft - likely scheduled for late May or early June.
The AFL's new Collective Bargaining Agreement is set to allow for a mid-season trade period, however a player movement window isn't likely to be introduced this year.
