SSP state of play: The AFL clubs set to make list calls and the train-on prospects in the mix

The Supplemental Selection Period deadline is set for Friday, leaving as many as seven clubs with just days to make decisions on their list for 2025.

Essendon, West Coast, Carlton, Port Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs all have SSP train-on prospects pushing for list vacancies, while Adelaide and Melbourne could potentially open list spots.

The Bombers got a close look at their SSP pair in former listed swingman Kaine Baldwin and Swan Districts forward Tom Edwards, with the latter shining in Saturday's pre-season hitout against the Western Bulldogs with four goals.

The performance has shot the mature-aged athletic attacker into pole position for the sole vacancy at Tullamarine. At the same time, VFL-listed defender Will Hoare has also pressed his case for a senior spot this summer and can't be ruled out of landing a contract at Essendon.

The weekend's contest at Whitten Oval also saw two of the VFL's best pull on the red, white and blue and battle for the one free spot at the Bulldogs, with Southport ruckman Brayden Crossley and Werribee's J.J. Liston Trophy winner Dom Brew also in the SSP mix.

Crossley earned a late call-up after being required to help with the club's limited ruck depth as first-string tall Tim English deals with injury, with a short stint in Noosa turning into an opportunity to secure a second chance in the AFL.

Brew has been with the Dogs since last year, impressing with his competitiveness and midfield impact off the back of a stellar premiership-winning 2024 run.

His Werribee teammate and Norm Goss Medal winner Jack Henderson has also earned an SSP chance, linking up with West Coast this week in the wake of Dom Sheed's season-ending knee injury.

The Eagles have two list spots free and are weighing up midfield and key defensive signings, with Henderson eligible for the former while former Saint James Van Es and delisted Sun Sandy Brock competing for the latter.

Carlton, too, has a handful of players pushing for the sole list spots on offer at Princes Park. The Blues are not expected to double that number as defender Nic Newman plans to keep his chances of a return from injury alive.

Cut Hawthorn tall Denver Grainger-Barras has been training with the Blues all summer and comes up against a trio of Blues VFL players in fighting for the last remaining list spot - with ex-Blue Matt Carroll edging out Sam Durdin for the other recent vacancy.

Former Collingwood forward Liam McMahon has been pushing for a lifeline with Carlton after his 45-goal VFL season in navy blue, while Will White and ex-Port Adelaide and Geelong small forward are also in contention, the latter making a strong case to join a third AFL club, according to The Age. 

Port Adelaide have had Victorian local footy youngster Josh Lai contending with North Melbourne VFL captain Jack Watkins, who claimed VFL Team of the Year honours last year. The Power have just one list spot free as they plan to keep sidelined forward Todd Marshall in mind for the late stages of the season.

Melbourne could open a list spot as forward Shane McAdam requires surgery on an Achilles tendon injury, placing his 2025 season in doubt.

Former West Coast midfielder Jai Culley looms as a chance to replace McAdam on the Demons' list after an impressive pre-season since landing on Casey.

Adelaide also has a situation on their hands with less than a week left in the SSP, having had ex-Sydney ruckman Lachie McAndrew training at West Lakes despite the Crows not having a free list spot.

Kieran Strachan's foot injury led the South Australian club to invite McAndrew to train and compete with Reilly O'Brien in the ruck department. McAndrew's outing in Friday's internal trial was a strong reason for the Crows to consider their options.

It looks as though McAndrew will likely head to SANFL side Norwood in the coming weeks unless a lit spot is opened by Adelaide, with Strachan back running and less likely to be moved to the inactive list.

Six signings have already been made during the Supplemental Selection Period, with Jaxon Prior (Essendon), Quinton Narkle (Fremantle), Harry Boyd (St Kilda), Ben Jepson (Gold Coast), Matt Carroll (Carlton) and Isaiah Dudley (Fremantle) securing AFL deals.

Clubs with list vacancies can choose to keep those spots open for the 2025 Mid-Season Draft instead of signing players by the February 21 deadline.

SSP state of play