Matthew Wright

Let loose, Wright can prove a prolific ball-winner as seen by his 36 possessions against Port Adelaide in the clubs' first NAB Challenge hit-outlast Sunday . He also booted two goals, making him the game's highest AFL Fantasy scorer by far (139 points). Wright's discipline has made him the ideal run-with player for coach Brenton Sanderson but his form dipped in 2013 after a top-10 finish in Adelaide's 2012 Club Champion. The 24-year-old can get hishands on the ball and use it well – whether in front of goal or passing to a target.

Ryan Lester

On the surface he's not the most fashionable or flamboyant player, but Lester continues to impress and forge a home in the Lions' midfield. In a team badly walloped by Hawthorn in its first NAB Challenge match, the 21-year-old could hold his head high, with 24 disposals, seven clearances and eight tackles. Standing 191cm, he is a perfect build for the taller modern-day midfielder and is continually improving. Lester loves to do the hard work at the bottom of a pack and is a great foil for the more 'outside' Lions midfielders like Daniel Rich, Pearce Hanley and Sam Mayes. - Michael Whiting

Andrejs Everitt

The athletic utility couldn't have started his first campaign at his third club in better style, slotting three first-half goals in a lively, 17-disposal performance in the Blues' opening NAB Challenge hitout against North Melbourne at North Ballarat. Fresh from producing the best of his seven seasons at AFL level, before the recruitment of Lance Franklin squeezed him out of the Sydney Swans, the 24-year-old earned praise from coach Mick Malthouse, who said post-match: "The best thing to come out of today for him is that he's able to play in multiple positions. So he'll become a valuable player, I'm sure."

Jesse White

Whenever a player transfers from another club, viewers and commentators are quick to pick apart their first performance in new colours. White will ultimately be judged on his impact at the end of the home and away season, but his efforts against Geelong provided Pies fans with a glimpse of his capabilities. The former Swan booted five goals in the NAB Challenge opener, proving he could be a valuable addition to a Travis Cloke-centric forward line . For a man standing 196cm, he has great speed and a strong work ethic. Could cause opposition teams a lot of problems this year, particularly if he and Cloke fire simultaneously.

Joe Daniher

Essendon wheeled out its new-look forward line last Monday night to great success. Jake Carlisle shifted from defence to attack and looked well-equipped to handle his new assignment. But it was the form of young forward Joe Daniher that was most tantalising. While he still has some work to go on his set-shot goal kicking, Daniher's ground-level agility and marking prowess were on full show against the Suns. His ability to grab the ball at its highest point is almost unparalleled, while he has clearly worked on his body positioning in the pre-season. With Tom Bellchambers sidelined with an ankle injury, the Bombers are hoping Daniher can make a gigantic leap in his second year in the League.

Fremantle

Geelong

Josh Caddy

- Adam McNicol The former Gold Coast midfielder has been one of the star performers on the track during his second pre-season at Simonds Stadium. That showed when he flew into action during the Cats' opening NAB Challenge match against Collingwood. As Fox Footy commentator Dermott Brereton remarked during the telecast of the game, the 21-year-old's extra size and strength have turned him into a bull when it comes to winning stoppages and crashing packs. Geelong is confident that the 19 possessions and five tackles that Caddy amassed during the clash with the Magpies are just a taste of what's to come.





Gold Coast Michael Rischitelli The Gold Coast vice-captain has been well below his best the past two seasons, thanks largely to a combination of ankle, hamstring and elbow injuries. But Rischitelli turned up to pre-season training before he was due back, has not missed a beat, and now looks ready to take 2014 by storm. On Monday night against Essendon, the 28-year-old midfielder showed the fruits of his hard work, racking up 22 disposals, four clearances and four tackles in a promising first outing. Along with captain Gary Ablett and the exciting crop of Dion Prestia, Jaeger O'Meara, David Swallow and Harley Bennell, Rischitelli is a crucial cog in the Suns' midfield. - Michael Whiting





If Michael Rischitelli returns to his best, it may help propel the Suns to the finals. Picture: AFL Media





Greater Western Sydney

Lachie Whitfield

- James Dampney The new-look Giants had some solid performers against the Sydney Swans, with former Bulldog Dylan Addison continuing his strong pre-season and Curtly Hampton, Stephen Coniglio and Nick Haynes all contributing. But the standout was Lachie Whitfield. The No.1 pick from the2012 NAB AFL Draft made 19 appearances last season in an excellent debut and appears to have added more strings to his bow heading into 2014. The 19-year-old is a beautiful user of the football, picking up 25 touches at 88 per cent efficiency against the Swans, throwing in seven inside 50s and three goals in an outstanding start to the new year.

Hawthorn

Alex Woodward

The 20-year-old's time at Hawthorn has been riddled by injury but the Hawks' patience looks set to be rewarded this year judging by the inside midfielder's performance against the Brisbane Lions last Thursday. Returning from a knee reconstruction – his second in a year – Woodward attacked the ball fearlessly (17 possessions) and showed good defensive pressure (four tackles). With Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson keen to add some youth to his midfield this season, Woodward, along with Mitch Hallahan and Will Langford, has a golden opportunity to claim a senior spot. - Nick Bowen

Melbourne

Jay Kennedy-Harris

- Peter Ryan The man on Melbourne supporters' lips after the win against Richmond was small forward Jay Kennedy-Harris. Pick No.40 in the NAB AFL Draft, he kicked three goals and looked at home from the first minute. Defensively he was good and his on-the-run goal to seal the game showed he could use his skills at top pace and under pressure. Melbourne coach Paul Roos is normally reluctant to introduce youngsters early but if Kennedy-Harris's form demands it, there is a small forward spot available. The Demons have not won a season opener since 2005 but they have every chance to beat St Kilda if it gets things right. Kennedy-Harris is a mature youngster and has pushed himself into the frame for selection.

North Melbourne

Joel Tippett

- Nick Bowen When the Roos claimed Tippett in last year's NAB AFL Rookie Draft they labelled him the best key defender outside the AFL. Against Carlton last Saturday, Tippett largely lived up to North's claims by keeping Blues star Jarrad Waite goalless and to just two kicks for the match. Better yet, the 196cm defender matched Waite for strength in one-on-one contests and showed impressive athleticism and agility when the ball hit the ground. With fellow key defender Nathan Grima working his way back to fitness after back troubles , Tippett gives the Roos a readymade replacement for round one if they need it.





Rookie Joel Tippett gives North Melbourne some key defensive cover if needed. Picture: AFL Media













Port Adelaide

Jared Polec

- Harry Thring The 21-year-old former Brisbane Lion's career began indifferently at the Power with a disappointing time trial. It was later revealed Polec had run the trial affected by tonsillitis and the rest of his pre-season has been superb. Coaches have loved his attitude and defensive development; he's loved staying fit all summer for the first time since being drafted to the Lions in 2010. His outside speed and quality decision-making saw him make an impressive NAB Challenge debut for the Power last weekend against Adelaide , collecting 20 possessions and laying five tackles on his way to a club-high 91 AFL Fantasy points.

Richmond

Anthony Miles

There weren't many shining lights in the Tigers' loss to Melbourne but former Greater Western Sydney midfielder Anthony Miles impressed in his first game in the yellow and black. The tough inside midfielder had 16 possessions – 11 of which were contested – and won a team-high eight clearances. He also booted two goals. With the Tigers in the same position they were this time last year with list numbers, they're able to promote two nominated rookies ahead of the start of the season. Coach Damien Hardwick said after the game the 21-year-old had "certainly thrown his hat into the ring" with his impressive first-up performance . - Jennifer Phelan

St Kilda



The South Australian was pick No. 58 in the 2011 NAB AFL Draft and has played 23 matches across his first two seasons, including playing as the sub in the Grand Final. But Neale spoke in the pre-season of wanting to cement a place in the senior side in 2014 and he took a big step towards that with a good performance in the Dockers' 84-point loss to West Coast. Neale had 23 disposals and kicked a goal spending most of the night in the midfield. -Traded to the Saints as part of the deal that sent ruckman Ben McEvoy to Hawthorn, Savage is shaping as much more than the extra steak knives in 2014. The 23-year-old racked up 14 possessions and six marks in St Kilda's clash with the Western Bulldogs, but it was his dash and ability to break lines that stood out. He also shapes as one of the club's more composed ball-users after the Hawks invested 56 games in him over five seasons. A strong tackler, he should have plenty of opportunities to take his game to a new level in 2014.