SOME have only been on a list for under two months, but already they’re eyeing a spot in their respective club’s Round 1 line-up.

Several 2016 draftees, like Sam Powell-Pepper (Port Adelaide), Jack Graham (Richmond) and Willie Rioli (West Coast Eagles) have impressed early as clubs begin to draft their teams for the first round of the season.

But there are several players who’ve been on lists for years, such as Nathan Freeman (St Kilda) and a host of luckless North Melbourne players, who could make their long-awaited debuts in 2017.

We list every AFL player that hasn’t played a senior game yet and assess their chances of making their debut in 2017.

Round 18

ADELAIDE

MOST LIKELY: Top pick Jordan Gallucci looks set to be injected into the Crows’ midfield at some stage this season, with the on-baller and gifted athlete impressing onlookers with his fitness and clean hands. Other national draft pick Myles Poholke, who arrives at the Crows with a ready-made AFL frame, is also a strong chance. Harrison Wigg starred during the SANFL last year and was already pushing for senior selection. Surely this is the year.

WAIT AND SEE: Midfielder Dean Gore — the famous steak knives in the Patrick Dangerfield deal — and tall forward Harry Dear will both be hoping for a solid start to the year in the SANFL to push their bids for a senior game. Tom Doedee is likely to spend most of his year in the Crows’ reserves side, barring a sudden form surge. Injury-interrupted pre-seasons to Matthew Signorello (shoulder), Ben Davis (foot) and E lliott Himmelberg (leg) haven’t helped their 2017 debut cases.

ROOKIES: Jonathon Beech, Hugh Greenwood, Paul Hunter, Alex Keath, Ben Jarman

Adelaide draftee Jordan Gallucci will wear the No. 7 jumper only worn by two past players: Nigel Smart and Nathan van Berlo. Picture: Mark Brake Source: News Corp Australia

BRISBANE LIONS

MOST LIKELY: He could’ve easily gone No. 1, so Hugh McCluggage is a strong chance to see some senior action at the Lions this year, even as early as Round 1. Smooth, classy yet tough as well, McCluggage is just what the Lions need in the guts. Fellow highly rated pick Jarrod Berry should also play senior footy earlier in the season, with his ability to play in a variety of positions in his favour. And while he’s not the biggest on-baller on the list, Corey Lyons has a level head on his shoulders and can certainly find the footy, so don’t be surprised to see him feature at some stage ion 2017.

WAIT AND SEE: Cedric Cox is a seriously talented player, but is more likely to spend most of the year in the NEAFL, along with academy pick Jacob Allison. Both Sam Skinner and Alex Witherden are coming off injury-interrupted 2016 seasons, with both recovering from long-term injuries. They’ll be eased into the year.

ROOKIES: Blake Grewar, Matt Eagles, Cian Hanley, Mitch Hinge, Oscar McInerney

CARLTON

MOST LIKELY: Sam Petrevski-Seton this summer has shown why the Blues were happy to take him so early in the national draft, impressing during Carlton’s pre-season campaign. Tough on the inside and smooth on the outside, Petrevski-Seton has the potential to win a senior gig well before the Blues’ mid-season break. Tom Williamson is a gifted athlete and has already impressed onlookers with his intercept ability. Little Zac Fisher (175cm) was a ball magnet at Under 18 level and will be hard for Carlton’s match committee to ignore should he continue that form at training and/or VFL level.

WAIT AND SEE: New recruit Jarrod Pickett spent most of 2016 on the sidelines due to a foot injury. There is ample hype over the small forward, who was taken at Pick No. 4 in the 2014 draft, but he’s set to be eased into the season. Patrick Kerr is an emerging key forward, but is unlikely to be rushed into the senior side. A hamstring injury has hampered Cam Polson’s senior debut chances, while Harrison Macreadie is likely to spend most of the year representing the Northern Blues.

ROOKIES: Andrew Gallucci, Jesse Glass-McCasker, Matthew Korcheck, Kym LeBois

COLLINGWOOD

MOST LIKELY: Of the two father-son picks, Callum Brown is the clear standout when it comes to making a debut first. A hard-working on-baller who starred for Vic Metro in last year’s Under 18 championships, Brown has fitted in at the Pies with aplomb. Josh Daicos should also make his debut this year, but the Pies are likely to adopt a similar attitude to the one Carlton used with its own father-son pick in Jack Silvagni, who was given a go midway through 2016.

WAIT AND SEE: Kayle Kirby, who found out he’d been drafted by the Magpies last year while he was in a pub, is in full training at the Holden Centre, but will likely spend most of the year in the VFL. Brayden Sier and Sam McLarty — the Magpies’ first picks from the past two national drafts — have had injury-interrupted pre-seasons to date due to shoulder and back issues respectively.

ROOKIES: Max Lynch, Liam Mackie, Mitch McCarthy

Collingwood father-son pick Callum Brown is likely to play early. Source: Getty Images

ESSENDON

MOST LIKELY: Could it be a Round 1 debut for the No. 1 pick? Going by Andrew McGrath’s impressive pre-season campaign to date, don’t be surprised. Like he did for Vic Metro and Sandringham last year, McGrath could well be charging off the half-back line against the Hawks in Round 1. Elsewhere, Jordan Ridley is a terrific decision-maker — both in the air and with ball in hand — so he should see some senior action at some stage this year.

WAIT AND SEE: Alex Morgan had a frustrating debut season on Essendon’s list, managing just seven games for the Dons’ VFL side as he battled hamstring and quad issues. The Dons certainly won’t be rushing him into the side. Recent draftees Kobe Mutch and Dylan Clarke are both ball magnets, but will find it tough to crack into a senior Essendon midfield that, on paper, looks impressive. Versatile big man Josh Begley could also find it difficult to crack a gig in the best 22, but could fill nearly any positional chasm should one arise.

ROOKIES: Sam Draper, Yestin Eades, Ben McNiece

FREMANTLE

MOST LIKELY: With a ready-made AFL frame and the ability to play nearly anywhere on the ground, Griffin Logue should be eyeing a spot in Fremantle’s Round 1 side. His elite aerobic fitness, versatility and accurate disposal skills will make it very hard for coach Ross Lyon to overlook him early in the season, especially if he impresses in the JLT Community Series. Despite undergoing recent shoulder surgery, mature-age recruit Luke Ryan could also see some senior game time early in the year, especially if the Dockers are a bit short down back.

WAIT AND SEE: After missing of the season due to a wrist injury, Harley Balic impressed late in 2016 in the WAFL reserves then seniors. He won’t be rushed into the side at all, but he’s an outside chance to feature at AFL level later in the year should he have a good run with injury. With Joel Hamling arriving at the club, key-position back Brennan Cox might have to bide his time in the WAFL before being called up to the senior side. Ruckman Sean Darcy has trimmed down since he arrived at the club, but this year should be one of development for him as he’ll be behind Aaron Sandilands, Zac Clarke and Jonathon Griffin.

ROOKIES: Josh Deluca-Cardillo, Taylin Duman, Ryan Nyhuis, Luke Strnadica, Matthew Uebergang

GEELONG CATS

MOST LIKELY: After finishing second in the Geelong VFL best and fairest count, key back Tom Stewart is looming as an early season bolter. The Cats have many mid to tall defenders to consider at match committee this season, but Stewart could leapfrog a few options should he impress during the JLT Community series. Brandan Parfitt — a skilled, smooth-moving on-ball option — could also push for a senior debut prior to the mid-season break. Quinton Narkle is a tough, hard-nosed midfielder that can play forward — a player-type the Cats would love to unleash, especially after losing Josh Caddy to Richmond.

WAIT AND SEE: If there are a few injuries to key defensive players, Ryan Gardner is an outside chance to debut after a solid season in the VFL last year. Wylie Buzza has one of the best names in footy, but commentators might have to wait a little longer to call him as he continues to develop in the VFL. Matthew Hayball, too, will spend most of the year representing Geelong’s reserves side, as will Jordan Cunico after struggling with knee and foot issues in 2016. Setbacks to Timm House (shoulder) and Ryan Abbott (leg) are likely to delay any early AFL appearance. This year is set to be one of development for exciting big man prospect — and Nic Naitanui lookalike — Esava Ratugolea.

ROOKIES: James Parsons, Jack Henry, Zach Guthrie, Jamaine Jones, Mark O’Connor, Sam Simpson

Gold Coast’s Ben Ainsworth has impressed early. Picture: Regi Varghese Source: News Corp Australia

GOLD COAST SUNS

MOST LIKELY: With an array of tall forward options already at Rodney Eade’s disposal, the Suns will be keen for a genuine small forward option — and Ben Ainsworth could be the man. The boy from Gippsland Power is an exciting goalkicking prospect but can also push into the midfield after improving his aerobic capacity towards the back-end of his 2016 campaign. Like Ainsworth, Jack Bowes was being touted as a potential No. 1 pick at one stage last year. He’s already impressing at Suns training with his cleanliness and toughness at contests — factors that played a big part in him being taken in the top 10 of the draft. Tough-nut midfielder Will Brodie is also a chance to be selected before the Suns’ mid-season bye.

WAIT AND SEE: As far as raw talent goes, Jack Scrimshaw was among the top echelon of draftees last year. However he’s likely to spend most of the year in the NEAFL as he increases muscle mass and adapts to an AFL club environment. Brad Scheer is your quintessential tall inside midfielder, but is more likely to push for selection towards the back-end of the year.

ROOKIES: Cameron Loersch, Max Spencer

GWS GIANTS

MOST LIKELY: Good luck trying to crack a senior gig if you’re a young Giant this year. But No. 2 pick Tim Taranto might be the first to do it, following an impressive pre-season campaign where his footy smarts have shone through. An excellent mark for his size with the ability to hit the scoreboard while racking up the disposals, Taranto is an exciting prospect that could make his AFL debut within the first 10 rounds. Tough as nails yet incredibly polished on both feet, Harry Perryman is an exciting prospect for the Giants. He and tall midfielder Will Setterfield could also debut early in the year.

WAIT AND SEE: Rebounding defender Isaac Cumming was a draft bolter last year, but has a fair few senior defenders in front of him at this stage. At the other end of the field, Lachie Tiziani is going to struggle to get a game if Brett Deledio, Steve Johnson, Devon Smith and Toby Greene are all fit and firing. Ruckman Matthew Flynn is a solid prospect, but is only in his second season and will be behind Shane Mumford, Rory Lobb, Tom Downie and Dawson Simpson for most of the year. Jeremy Finlayson is a smart, hard-working defender but will likely push for selection later in the year after undergoing post-season hip surgery.

ROOKIES: Daniel Lloyd, Zach Sproule, Jake Stein

HAWTHORN

MOST LIKELY: Harry Morrison could turn into a steal for the Hawks, which selected him at pick No. 74 last year. Morrison entered 2016 as one of the most highly-rated prospects due to his workrate and intercept ability. With an impressive JLT Community Series, Morrison could push for an early-season debut. Teia Miles, who’s now in his third year on Hawthorn’s list, impressed across half-back throughout 2016 to finish third in Box Hill’s best and fairest count. Don’t rule him out, either.

WAIT AND SEE: This will be Dallas Willsmore’s fourth season on Hawthorn’s list. His workrate and ability to find space is undoubted, which led to him being a senior AFL emergency last year, but he must show more consistency at VFL level. Mitchell Lewis, who didn’t have to say a word last year to send social media into meltdown due to his ironic full name, is likely to develop with Box Hill this year.

ROOKIES: James Cousins, Conor Glass, Conor Nash, Oliver Hanrahan, Luke Surman

MELBOURNE

MOST LIKELY: A good pressure forward who loves to tackle, Dion Johnstone kicked 21 goals from 10 TAC Cup games throughout the season. His competitiveness at Demons training has been impressive already, so expect a senior debut in 2017.

WAIT AND SEE: Former Footscray player Mitch Hannan looms as an exciting prospect, but his early-season debut chances have been hampered by a shoulder injury. Speaking of pre-season injuries, Liam Hulett suffered a minor ankle injury a few weeks ago but should be right for the JLT Community Series. However the Dees would preferably like to see some more consistency from him in the VFL before considering an AFL debut. Patrick McKenna and Mitch King are both likely to spend most of the year playing for Casey.

ROOKIES: Tim Smith, Joel Smith, Declan Keilty, Lachlan Filipovic, Corey Maynard

North Melbourne’s Mitchell Hibberd is eyeing a senior debut. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

NORTH MELBOURNE

MOST LIKELY: Plenty here, with key defensive duo Sam Durdin and Ed Vickers-Willis leading the way. The pair has made significant progress over recent months, with vice-captain Jamie Macmillan recently saying both were pushing for early-season debuts. Fellow defenders Declan Watson and Josh Williams, who were academy prospects at Brisbane and Gold Coast respectively, have both impressed during the early stages of pre-season training. Mitchell Hibberd should also make his AFL debut early in the year, with the Tasmanian having the ability to find plenty of the footy both inside and outside. And with little support for Todd Goldstein, don’t be surprised to see ruckman Braydon Preuss feature at some stage, especially after an excellent finish to his 2016 VFL season.

WAIT AND SEE: The Roos were big fans of small forward Jy Simpkin, hence why they took him with their first 2016 draft pick. But they’ll be taking no risks or rushing anything with Simpkin, who sat out most of last year due to a broken leg. Daniel Nielsen has had an injury-interrupted start to his North Melbourne career due to a knee issue, so he too won’t be rushed. Both Ben McKay and Nick Larkey will spend most of the year at VFL level and developing their respective frames, while Declan Mountford will also bide his time in the reserves. Paul Ahern, who was traded from GWS, won’t play a senior game as he recovers from a late-2016 ACL injury.

ROOKIES: Will Fordham, Cameron Zurhaar, Oscar Junker, Matthew Taylor

PORT ADELAIDE

MOST LIKELY: No matter which club he went to, Sam Powell-Pepper was always going to be a contender to debut early in the 2017 AFL season, due to his ready-made frame and thirst for the contest. Round 1, potentially? The Power could certainly do with that hardness against the Swans at the SCG. Fellow young midfielders Willem Drew and Joe Atley also have the potential to make their debuts in 2017, but Powell-Pepper is undoubtedly the front-runner.

WAIT AND SEE: The super-talented Todd Marshall is unlikely to play this year. While the key forward already has a slim frame that needs developing, he’s also been nursing a sore shoulder over the pre-season. Injury-prone ruckman Billy Frampton and midfielder Aidyn Johnson will both just be hoping for uninterrupted seasons in the SANFL.

ROOKIES: Brett Eddy, Peter Ladhams, Jarrod Lienert, Dan Houston, Cameron Hewett, Emmanuel Irra

RICHMOND

MOST LIKELY: The 2016 Larke Medallist, Jack Graham has a ready-made AFL body with a ready-made AFL mindset. Respected for his toughness in the contest and leadership capabilities, Graham is likely to win a senior spot early in the season. Exciting forward-midfield prospect Shai Bolton is already turning heads at Richmond. Don’t be surprised to see him debut before the mid-season bye.

WAIT AND SEE: Daniel Butler enjoyed an injury-free 2016 where he was able to hit the scoreboard fairly consistently. An outside chance to debut in 2017, but he’ll be hoping to up his goal tally at VFL level first. Tall back Ryan Garthwaite was one of the best one-on-one key defensive prospects in the draft last year, but will be given time to develop at VFL level.

ROOKIES: Tyson Stengle, Ivan Soldo

Richmond’s four national draftees: Ryan Garthwaite, Tyson Stengle, Shai Bolton and Jack Graham. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

ST KILDA

MOST LIKELY: Surely this is the year Nathan Freeman makes his long-awaited debut. After three injury-interrupted seasons at Collingwood and St Kilda, Freeman is fit on the eve of the pre-season after addressing his nagging hamstring issues. Following impressive time trial results, Freeman will be eyeing off a spot in the Saints’ midfield. Ben Long, a small forward that impressed during Footscray’s VFL premiership campaign last year, is the other who could make his debut early in the season.

WAIT AND SEE: Pardon the pun, but it will be a battle for Josh Battle to feature in the Saints’ senior line-up this year. Not only does he have to contend with Nick Riewoldt, Josh Bruce, Paddy McCartin and Tim Membrey, he’ll also have to balance footy commitments with finishing Year 12. Both Ed Phillips and Bailey Rice are likely to spend most of the year representing Sandringham in the VFL.

ROOKIES: Nick O’Kearney, Nick Coughlan, Darragh Joyce, Ray Connellan, Rowan Marshall

SYDNEY SWANS

MOST LIKELY: A super 2016 season in the NEAFL saw Nic Newman push for a senior debut before earning a senior contract for the 2017 season. An explosive runner and ball-winner that can play either on a wing or across half-back, expect Newman to feature in Sydney’s senior side early. First pick Oliver Florent is a ball magnet with great speed, while draft bolter Will Hayward could be a handy goalsneak. There aren’t too many key defensive players at the Swans, which could open up an early debut opportunity for Jack Maibaum too.

WAIT AND SEE: Ruckman Darcy Cameron has hit the ground running since landing at the SCG, but will be behind Callum Sinclair, Kurt Tippett and Sam Naismith early. Jordan Dawson impressed towards the back-end of the 2016 season in the NEAFL, floating across half-forward and constantly hitting the scoreboard. Tyrone Leonardis was also a senior emergency a couple of times following two three-goal hauls at NEAFL level. Both could receive a senior opportunity this year.

ROOKIES: Ben Ronke, Colin O’Riordan, Robbie Fox, Lewis Melican, Sam Fisher, Sam Murray, Toby Pink

WEST COAST EAGLES

MOST LIKELY: Mature-age recruit Willie Rioli is set to become a crowd favourite among Eagles fans, with his mercurial ability around goal already exciting club onlookers. After an outstanding year in the SANFL, Rioli could slot into the Eagles’ senior line-up pretty quickly. Of the Under 18s, Josh Rotham looks most likely to debut first, impressing with his versatility and aerobic capacity. Luke Partington finished 2016 in terrific form, racking up 25-plus touches in three of his final four WAFL games. He should get a senior gig by the middle of the year.

WAIT AND SEE: First pick Daniel Venables is an explosive, goalkicking midfielder, but won’t be hurried into the senior side as he recovers from injury. Kurt Mutimer is an outside chance to push for a senior spot later in the year, but will be hoping for some consistency at WAFL senior level first. Key forwards Jake Waterman and Matthew Allen are both likely to spend most of the year developing in the WAFL, especially with an array of other goalkickers in front of them at this stage.

ROOKIES: Tom Gorter, Jordan Snadden, Tarir Bayok, Paddy Brophy, Francis Watson

WESTERN BULLDOGS

MOST LIKELY: Tim English is no ordinary ruckman. While he might appear lanky at 203cm, English’s ability to compete in the air then win the ball below his knees is unlike anything we’ve seen among recent ruck draftees. Should the Dogs wish not to burden Jordan Roughead and Tom Boyd with ruck duties early in the season, English could make an early debut. Northern Knights draftee Patrick Lipinski, who moved into the midfield late last year, is also a slight chance to debut before the mid-season break.

WAIT AND SEE: Approaching his third season on the Bulldogs’ list, it’s a big year for Declan Hamilton, who had a patchy 2016 VFL campaign. He’s one of the few fringe Bulldogs over the past few years that has yet to play a senior game. Lewis Young and Fergus Greene will spend most of the year developing their bodies and adjusting to the AFL club environment while playing predominantly in the VFL.

ROOKIES: Bradley Lynch, Nathan Mullenger-McHugh, Tristan Tweedie