One of the most exciting parts of any AFL season is seeing clubs unleash new faces.

Whether it be the most recent class of draft picks or those that have been on club lists for several years, a host of players at each club will battle it out over the remainder of the pre-season in a bid to breakthrough for their first game.

Foxfooty.com.au analyses which uncapped player from your club could debut first in season 2020.

Adelaide — Ned McHenry

Round 18

The 2018 first-round pick endured a frustrating debut season at West Lakes, but has made an eye-catching start to his second pre-season. McHenry missed 11 weeks in the second half of last season due to a back injury, but made it back in time for the finals series. When he kicked four goals against Norwood in a semi-final, Adelaide fans started a campaign for him to debut in Round 1, 2020.

Brisbane — Deven Robertson

He was, surprisingly, left without a home at the end of the first night of the National Draft, but he might not have to wait too long to play senior football. A big-bodied midfielder with wisdom beyond his years, the teenager won the Larke Medal and was Western Australia’s under-18 captain during an ultra-consistent 2019.

Carlton — Sam Philp

Carlton shuffled up the draft board to secure Philp late in the first-round of November’s National Draft. The draft bolter was overlooked by Vic Metro last year, but was invited to the combine in October following a standout season at the Northern Knights.

Carlton could unleash Sam Philip early in the season. Picture: Darrian Traynor Source: Getty Images

Collingwood — Jay Rantall

The Magpies didn’t get on the clock at the draft until Pick 40 when they secured Rantall. The basketball convert didn’t take long to impress his new teammates. He beat endurance king Tom Phillips in the 2km time trial on his first day at the club, two months after he smashed the combine record on the same track.

Essendon — Sam Draper

The untried ruckman attracted plenty of attention in 2019. He tore his ACL in May and then was linked to a big money move to St Kilda in June, before eventually signing a four-year extension in August. He might not play early in the season, but the Bombers don’t have too many fresh faces who will push for senior selection in 2020.

Fremantle — Hayden Young

He is regarded as the best kick from his draft class and we might not have to wait too long to see how deadly he is by foot. Fremantle became only the third club in the history of the draft to take three consecutive picks in the first-round when they took Young at Pick 7, before adding Caleb Serong and Liam Henry with the next two selections. Young could play very early in the season.

Geelong — Cooper Stephens

The Geelong Falcons product started last year as a top-10 prospect, but that all changed when he broke his leg in April, wiping out the rest of his 2019. Stephens returned in time for the combine in October, where his brilliant testing helped prompt the Cats pounce on the local product at Pick 16.

No. 1 draft pick Matthew Rowell should be part of Gold Coast’s Round 1 line-up. Picture: Scott Barbour Source: AAP

Gold Coast Suns — Matt Rowell

If you thought what Sam Walsh produced first-up last year was phenomenal, we could see something similar from Rowell in 2020. The Suns picked the Victorian midfielder with the first pick in last year’s National Draft, following a dominant season for Vic Metro, Oakleigh and Carey Grammar. Barring any major hiccup, expect Rowell to be in the Suns’ first-round team. Izak Rankine missed most of 2019 with injuries and could also make his debut in Round 1.

GWS Giants — Lachie Ash

Heath Shaw has decided to go on for one more year, but the Giants may have found a long-term replacement at half-back in Ash. Greater Western Sydney used Pick 4 to land the boy from Katandra in country Victoria. And he might not be the only debutant Leon Cameron turns to early in the year after they matched Carlton’s bid to secure academy product Tom Green at Pick 10.

Hawthorn — Finn Maginness

The son of 1989 premiership hero Andy Maginness was drafted by the Hawks at Pick 29 last November, after Melbourne made a bid for him. The Sandringham Dragons product saw his stocks rise during the combine, where his endurance stood out. He has the physique that could see him blooded at senior level at some stage during the first-half of the year. Hawthorn drafted Will Day at Pick 13 but the lightly-built South Australian looks a fair way off senior football.

Melbourne — Luke Jackson

Ruckmen aren’t usually taken in the top 10 and they usually take years to mature. But there is a belief that Jackson – the basketball convert Melbourne drafted at Pick 3 – is ready to step into Simon Goodwin’s best 22. And he admitted to foxfooty.com.au last year that he wanted to play Round 1. The Demons possess one of the best ruckmen in the AFL in three-time All-Australian Max Gawn, but some believe Jackson can play as a forward or even as a midfielder, despite standing at 197cm tall.

Luke Jackson was presented with his Melbourne jumper by Brad Green. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: AAP

North Melbourne — Lachlan Hosie

The mid-season recruit couldn’t have come much closer to a debut late last season. He was named as an emergency for the final four games, nearly coming in as a last-minute replacement in Round 22. After a full pre-season in the AFL, expect the medium-sized forward to be knocking on Rhyce Shaw’s door for an early debut.

Port Adelaide — Miles Bergman

After missing most of his Under 16 and Under 17 years, Bergman leapt up the draft charts in 2019. Ken Hinkley put plenty of faith in his draftees last year, playing Connor Rozee, Zak Butters and Xavier Duursma almost every week. He could do the same again with Bergman.

Richmond — Riley Collier-Dawkins

The 2018 first-round pick played 20 VFL games last year, including a starring role in the premiership win over Williamstown. Damien Hardwick couldn’t find room for him in a side that won its second flag in three years, but that should change this year.

St Kilda — Max King

Long-suffering St Kilda supporters have been forced to wait longer than they hoped to watch King in action. But if his VFL form is anything to go off, they are set to be in for one hell of a ride. The 2018 No. 4 pick hasn’t played since he hurt his knee in a game for Sandringham in June, but he booted nine goals in three games before then to be on the cusp of a debut. That shouldn’t be far away in 2020.

New Swan Dylan Stephens has impressed early at pre-season training. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: News Corp Australia

Sydney Swans — Dylan Stephens

There aren’t many players from last year’s draft more ready for senior football than Stephens. The wingman played 13 league games for Norwood in 2019, where he was named the Redlegs’ best player in both finals appearances. Sydney pulled a major shock by selecting the South Australian at Pick 5. Don’t expect to wait too long to see him in John Longmire’s 22.

West Coast Eagles — Luke Foley

The West Australian grew up as a West Coast fan and spent his first year plying his trade in the WAFL, where he played 16 games after being taken at Pick 31 in the 2018 National Draft. He didn’t do enough to put his hand up for a spot in Adam Simpson’s side, but should get a look in at some stage in his second season.

Western Bulldogs — Cody Weightman

The Bulldogs were linked to the classy small forward in the months leading into the draft, with that speculation swirling when he was spotted touring the Whitten Oval days out from the draft. The Dogs got their man in the first round. And while Sam Lloyd fired in his first season at the kennel, Luke Beveridge needs a long-term option in that position.