WHILE we hang off every move during the NAB AFL Trade Period, a number of clubs will be bolstered by recruits from within in 2019.

Season-ending injuries reduced a number of stars to the grandstands last season with coaches, teammates and fans eager to see them back in action this year.

Ahead of the return of many clubs' pre-season training, AFL.com.au takes a look at the players we can't wait to see back on the field this season, plus a handful who battled setbacks at their previous homes before off-season moves.

CLUB LISTS COMPARED Oldest? Youngest? Most experienced?

Brad Crouch

Bryce Gibbs, Rory Sloane and the Crouch brothers has a nice ring to it. After a dismal season, the Crows will be buoyed by having all four at the feet of Sam Jacobs for the first time. The eldest Crouch played his last game in the 2017 Grand Final, before battling osteitis pubis for all of 2018. Barely able to walk, the 24-year-old was sent for surgery in June that has allowed him to join in parts of training pre-Christmas. He'll be back with the full program this month.

Lincoln McCarthy

Has the tricks to be one of the most dynamic small forwards in the competition but has played just five senior games in the past two seasons. Persistent hamstring, groin and hip troubles plagued his time at Geelong before seeking a fresh start at the Lions, impressed by the club's medical staff. Has been eased into training before Christmas with hopes he'll be hitting his straps a couple of months into the 2019 season.

Lincoln McCarthy is looking for a fresh start at the Lions. Picture: AFL Photos



Will Setterfield

February 25 will mark 12 months since Setterfield ruptured his ACL in a pre-season fixture for Greater Western Sydney. The big-bodied inside midfielder (191cm) the Blues have desperately been craving to assist co-captain Patrick Cripps, Setterfield is on track to feature in the first month of the season and is expected back with the main group in coming weeks. While he played two games in two seasons at the Giants, the Blues have always been fans – bidding on him at pick No.5 in the 2016 NAB AFL Draft while he was a Giants Academy player.

Jamie Elliott

The 'Swoop Squad' of Jaidyn Stephenson, Josh Thomas and Will Hoskin-Elliott will only be strengthened if Elliott can get back to his best. His past four seasons each netted 30-plus goals and a trip to Germany could be the tonic to see him overcome continual hamstring breakdowns suffered at VFL level last year. All eyes will be on him on the first day back after Christmas after a scare in December.

Jamie Elliott has played just 89 games over six seasons at the Pies. Picture: AFL Photos



Joe Daniher

While Dylan Shiel will carry the weight of expectation, it's easy to forget Daniher played his last game in round seven last year. While his 2018 form was critiqued from all corners, he was playing sore, the Bombers later confirming he had been carrying an osteitis pubis complaint. While there's concerns he won't be there for the season opener, anything close to his 2017 All Australian form will only assist the Bombers' push back to finals football.

Griffin Logue

It was only two years ago Logue's NAB AFL Draft Combine bolted him into the frame to be taken at pick No.8. After 13 games in his debut season, the endurance star was reduced to just three WAFL matches last year with ankle and foot injuries. Now back with the main group, the 193cm swingman is itching to return. With Jesse Hogan and Rory Lobb recruited in the front half, expect Logue to slot into defence alongside Alex Pearce, Joel Hamling and Luke Ryan, who punched above their weight in 2018.

Griffin Logue will be a welcome addition to the Dockers' defence in 2019. Picture: AFL Photos



Nakia Cockatoo

2017 was soft-tissue injuries, 2018 was back-to-back PCL setbacks, limiting him to two games. While this pre-season hasn't been without fault after having his tonsils removed, the speedster is back running about half of the kilometres of his teammates. With his three-week Christmas break cut short to return to work at GMHBA Stadium, Cockatoo will be eyeing game time early in the season, most likely via the VFL. Has the ability to change games, a physical presence who sits comfortably in the best 22 when fully fit.

Peter Wright

After 31 majors in 2017, Wright managed just five last year as he battled form and injury. Now with the forward line his to own, 2019 looms as a career-defining season. While Tom Lynch prepares for life as a Tiger, Wright is back training with the main group after his knee injury in round 20 last year cut short his run of seven consecutive games. He's got added incentive to perform, too, entering a year where he falls out of contract.

Will 'Two-Metre' Peter feel the heat as the Suns' main man in attack? Picture: AFL Photos



Zac Williams

Williams on one back flank and Lachie Whitfield on the other. It's enough to get Leon Cameron excited this summer. After working back from an Achilles injury to play the final two games last year, Williams will have a full pre-season this time around to build his fitness base. If his return game last year, where he collected 23 disposals in the elimination final win over the Swans, is anything to go by, he'll slot in with ease.

Tom Scully

Just picture Scully and potential captain Isaac Smith on opposing wings. While he's not expected to feature much in the first half of the season, the former Giant has resumed light running after his horrifying broken ankle in round two last year. The sight of a Scully in brown and gold would excite Jarryd Roughead and Jack Gunston.

The shocking moment Tom Scully broke his ankle last year while playing for GWS. Picture: AFL Photos



Kade Kolodjashnij

Already turning heads at training this summer, Kolodjashnij's arrival gives coach Simon Goodwin plenty of flexibility. While he played mostly across half-back for the Suns, depth including Christian Salem, Michael Hibberd, Jayden Hunt and Bayley Fritsch could see him released to a wing. Concussion symptoms limited the 23-year-old to eight games last year, however his 22 disposals per game in his second season in 2015 gives Demons fans optimism.

Aaron Hall

Out of favour at the Suns last year, Hall all but started preparing for life as a Roo after his season-ending pectoral injury in round 11. Described by teammate Shaun Higgins as a "powerful and explosive match-winner", Hall will command a role on a wing at Arden Street. At his best he collects plenty of the ball but it's his defensive traits that rival clubs will look to exploit.

Things are looking up for former Sun Aaron Hall at the Roos. Picture: AFL Photos



Hamish Hartlett

On track to join full training by the end of this month, Hartlett's pending return will be a major boost for a side that simply should have played finals in 2018. Having played a minor role in convincing Ryan Burton to join the club, he'll be joined by the former Hawk and injury-plagued defender Matthew Broadbent in a strengthened group across half-back. As the club searches for a new skipper, the former vice-captain will be called upon for his leadership.

Tom Lynch

Damien Hardwick will have an embarrassment of riches in attack when Lynch finally gets on the park. After winning a flag and making a preliminary final with one key forward, Jack Riewoldt, Hardwick now has one of the best attacking targets in the game at his disposal. After a long stint in a knee brace after PCL surgery cut short his 2018 season at the Suns, Lynch is expected to increase running loads when the Tigers return next week.

The Tigers receive a fresh and fit Tom Lynch after a knee injury last season. Picture: AFL Photos



Dylan Roberton

Just seeing Roberton back on the field will lift the Saints. After a terrifying heart scare last year reduced him to the coach's box, the 27-year-old is back training on a modified program. While captain Jarryn Geary marshalled a young defence last year, a return for Roberton will add much-needed experience. The Saints conceded the third-most points in 2018 and are crying out for all the help they can get down back.

Sam Naismith

Rupturing his ACL in training last March, Naismith relinquished the reins as the No.1 ruckman to Callum Sinclair, who enjoyed a career-best year in 2018. Now with the pair at John Longmire's disposal, both could form a dangerous combination between centre stoppages and attack alongside Lance Franklin. Still only 26, the prime age for a ruckman, Naismith is expected to ramp up his training loads in coming weeks.

Swans ruckman Sam Naismith is on the comeback trail from an ACL injury. Picture: AFL Photos



Nic Naitanui

Already back running and kicking five months into his rehab from a second knee reconstruction, Naitanui has flown himself to the USA for more training. Will be desperate to taste finals action having miss the club's premiership and also the 2017 campaign while overcoming an ACL on his opposite knee. While his numbers in 15 games in 2018 were down on previous outputs, his presence and nous around stoppages is among the best in the competition. Round 17 will mark 12 months on from his last game, the Eagles confident he can play a part in the back end of the season.

Tom Liberatore

Forced to wait until the end of the NAB AFL Trade Period for a fresh contract, Liberatore now has the summer to remind the Dogs' hierarchy what they missed in 2018. Going down with an ACL on his 'good' right knee in round one last year, the premiership midfielder was confined to the stands. With Lachie Hunter and Toby McLean having developed during his year of absence, Liberatore's return will strengthen the club's stocks of inside midfielders.

The Dogs could do with the grunt of Libba in the midfield this season. Picture: AFL Photos



*Criteria – Played less than half of their club's total matches or were absent for the final eight matches of 2018