Adelaide

Matt Crouch

2015: 17 games

The Crows have suffered the biggest fall of any side in Champion Data's player list because of the loss of Patrick Dangerfield. That's where Crouch can fit in, who is an inside force but a work in progress in terms of his outside game. Crouch averaged 21 disposals last season, including both finals, but was often used as a sub. According to Champion Data, he averaged the seventh-fewest metres gained per disposal of the top-200 ball winners - an area the Crows would like to see greater penetration in as they push for a top-eight berth.

Who else: Cam Ellis-Yolmen, Mitch Grigg, Rory Atkins and recruits Paul Seedsman and Dean Gore have the chance to become regular players.

Brisbane

Daniel Merrett

2015: 10

The veteran defender had a mixed 2015, with a hamstring injury costing him 12 matches, leaving the Lions' defence without their key plank. In such a young and inexperienced side, his absence hurt. Amid speculation from round 15 that he would quit the club, Merrett was handed the job of curtailing the opposition's best forward - and was the only key backman to rank elite for spoils. Entering the final year of his contract, there is much for "Big Sauce" to play for.

Who else: Recruits Josh Walker, Tom Bell and Ryan Bastinac have important roles to play. All eyes will be on draftee forward Josh Schache.

Carlton

Dale Thomas

2015: 5 games

After a solid first season with the Blues, the former Magpie endured a horror 2015 - much like his club. Thomas hurt his shoulder in the first minute of the season opener against Richmond, and never really recovered. Now into the third year of a lucrative contract that has him the Blues' highest-paid player, Thomas will be expected to help carry a side likely to finish in the bottom four. Should he help secure five wins, all parties would be relatively happy.

Who else: A fit and firing Bryce Gibbs through the midfield, and Levi Casboult marking strongly and kicking accurately, would also help.

Collingwood

Travis Cloke

2015: 17 games

The power forward was ranked "average" by Champion Data last season, finishing with 34 goals - including only three in his final six games as he weathered hamstring and calf problems. He did have 31 goals to the mid-point of the season, but like his team, faded, and for the first time in five years, would not be the Pies' leading goal-scorer. It's hoped the development of Darcy Moore, and a fit Jamie Elliott, will ease the focus on him. Cloke is set to open contract renegotiations mid-year.

Who else: A fit Ben Reid, more consistency from Elliott and the continued development of Jordan De Goey will help.

Essendon

Joe Daniher

2015: 22 games

Ravaged by a dozen anti-doping suspensions to their elite players, the Bombers will hope Daniher can flourish under the focus of being his team's No.1 attacking option. He led the Bombers in goal-kicking (34) and scoreboard impact last season and improved his technique and nous inside 50 under the guidance of club great Matthew Lloyd. The Bombers would hope for a return of at least 45 goals this season. Daniher has said he enjoyed a strong pre-season, and it's hoped he can have greater impact in one-on-one contests - where he was below the AFL average last season.

Who else: Top-up types, including James Kelly, Mathew Stokes and Ryan Crowley, will need consistent years.

Fremantle

Harley Bennell

2015: 15 games (Gold Coast Suns)

The line-breaker endured a tumultuous 2015 on the Gold Coast, where his off-field issues led to his departure after five years with the expansion franchise. However, he still polled more Brownlow Medal votes than any other Sun, and was rated the only mid-forward elite in disposals, metres gained and score involvement. The Dockers hope his run and carry will bolster an already strong midfield, and allow superstar Nat Fyfe to spend more time up forward - the club's greatest weakness.

Who else: Former skipper Matthew Pavlich needs to remain fit, while improvement will be sought from Matt Taberner and Alex Pearce.

Geelong

Mitch Clark

2015: 8 games

The key forward-ruckman had a strong start to 2015, booting 14 goals in eight games, but his season was soon ruined by a calf injury. His battle with depression was shown when he was embraced by coach Chris Scott in the dressing room after the round-six clash against the Magpies. The Cats have reloaded with Patrick Dangerfield, Lachie Henderson, Scott Selwood and Zac Smith coming aboard - a fit Clark alongside Tom Hawkins would be an ominous addition.

Who else: It's hoped Nathan Vardy, Mitch Duncan and Daniel Menzel can avoid injury and be consistent forces, while more will be expected of Nakia Cockatoo.

Gold Coast Suns

Gary Ablett

2015: 6 games

The Suns know they cannot rely on the champion onballer forever, but for the moment he remains the kingpin of a team that has undergone major change after a difficult 2015. Ablett returned from a shoulder reconstruction to play in the opening two rounds but reinjured himself and would then be forced to sit out the next three months. Once he resumed, his season was curtailed by a medial ligament tear. Despite this, he was still ranked as the Suns' only "elite" weapon. The Suns enjoyed a +19 per cent centre-clearance differential when Ablett was there - the third-best differential of the top 150 players.

Who else: Nick Malceski's efficiency was poor last year and will need to improve, while the Suns will hope ball magnets, off-contract pair Dion Prestia and Jaeger O'Meara, can overcome injury.

Greater Western Sydney

Jonathon Patton

2015: 3 games

The former No.1 pick returned in round 19 from a second knee reconstruction last season, booting three goals in three matches, before his season was put on ice. He shapes as one of the elite power forwards, provided his body can remain sound, and will be particularly important now Cam McCarthy has returned home to WA because of personal issues. Together with Jeremy Cameron, the Giants have two options of envy inside attacking 50.

Who else: Midfielder Lachie Whitfield began well but his form dipped after the mid-season break, while a fit Shane Mumford - his season was ended by an ankle injury in round 11 - gives the Giants greater physical presence.

Hawthorn

Ryan Schoenmakers

2015: 16 games

While he has said he wants to remain a swingman, an injury to Jarryd Roughead means Schoenmakers is likely to be a key target up forward - at least for the first half of the season. He finally got to enjoy premiership success last season, playing one of his best games for the club on the sport's biggest stage, but his game still has much room for improvement. He won only 26 per cent of his one-on-one contests - below the AFL average - but his kicking was excellent.

Who else: Billy Hartung, who played 20 matches last season but was the hard-luck story come the grand final, will have a point to prove, while Jono O'Rourke, with two senior matches, shapes as being a part of the emerging new generation.

Melbourne

Christian Salem

2015: 10 games

The 2013 No.9 overall pick was switched to a half-back flank last year, and played well in the opening six matches, before hurting a hamstring against Hawthorn and missing the next nine matches. Returned to the senior side for the final three games. While he appears to handle pressure well, the Demons will hope his kicking can improve, for he recorded a below-average rating in this area. Is seen long-term as a midfielder, and could spend time there this season.

Who else: Dom Tyson, who missed six games through injury, needs to improve his ball use, a fit Jack Trengove would be a boost, Jack Grimes has much to prove in a contract year, while midfielder Christian Petracca, having missed last year because of a knee reconstruction, is desperate for a chance on the big stage.

North Melbourne

Daniel Wells

2015: 2 games

For a team built to challenge for a flag now, Wells still has the ability to break lines - and contribute important goals - should the Achilles tendinitis that limited the 224-game veteran to only the first two matches last season not return. At 31, having been limited to 10 matches in 2014 because of a foot injury, and coming off contract this year, a fit Wells - he has shed six kilograms over summer - could provide the Kangaroos with an "x-factor" needed to get over their preliminary-final hump.

Who else: Much is hoped of former Hawk Jed Anderson, while Luke McDonald, Taylor Garner and Kayne Turner will hope for consistent selection.

Port Adelaide

Matthew Lobbe

2015: 17 games

The season-long anti-doping suspension to Paddy Ryder means Lobbe, regarded as the Power's hardest trainer, will need to reclaim his 2014 form and remain healthy, as he has only one specialist back-up ruckman to this point - Billy Frampton. The Power's high-octane game was slowed last year, and Lobbe must get his hands first to the ball to help kick-start this running game. He was rated below average for hitouts to advantage last season but was elite in terms of applying pressure.

Who else: It's hoped Matt White, Ollie Wines and Jared Polec can avoid injury, while Alipate Carlile and Jack Trengove, restricted to 12 and 15 matches, also need to be healthy, for the Power are undersized in defence without that pair.

Richmond

Chris Yarran

2015: 14 games

The former Blue has battled calf problems in his first pre-season with the Tigers, and his overall fitness has been questioned by Melbourne great David Schwarz. The Tigers will hope he can produce a strong run and clever ball use when the real business begins. He had the highest kick-to-handball ratio of any player in the league - highlighting his elite kicking - but he was unhappy at Princes Park last year, and it's hoped new scenery reinvigorates his career. The Tigers have been outclassed in three straight elimination finals, and Yarran's creativity, and even goal-scoring capabilities, could be the difference this year.

Who else: More will be hoped for from Ben Lennon and Corey Ellis, while intercepting defender Nick Vlastuin, who played in 23 matches last season, could provide more in the midfield.

St Kilda

Paddy McCartin

2015: 6 games

The former No.1 pick had six senior matches in his rookie season, in what was purely a development year. Impressed with his contested marking, but clearly needed to build a bigger "engine", and has worked diligently on that through the summer after finger surgery. If Nick Riewoldt is to spend further time up the ground, McCartin will need to have a presence as a power forward inside attacking 50.

Who else: The development of Hugh Goddard will be fascinating, Jack Billings has had an impressive pre-season after injury, while former Pie Nathan Freeman could provide explosive run - once he has confidence in his body.

Sydney

Luke Parker

2015: 19 matches

Had enjoyed a strong campaign until a broken leg against Collingwood in round 20 ended his year, and cruelled the Swans' premiership aspirations. Considered a captain-in-waiting, Parker can win his own ball, while also being damaging on the scoreboard. He was one of only four players to average 12 contested possessions and almost a goal a game last season, joining Nat Fyfe, Patrick Dangerfield and Robbie Gray. His toughness and class at the business end of the season will be crucial.

Who else: It's hoped Lance Franklin, who topped the Swans' goal-kicking last season despite injury and personal issues, can play out the season, while the development of Isaac Heeney, Tom Mitchell and Brandon Jack will be important.

West Coast Eagles

Lewis Jetta

2015: 24 games

The former Swan had what was classified as an "average" 2015 despite leading the club for metres gained, and the Eagles will hope his line-breaking skills are fully utilised on the expanses of Subiaco Oval. Jetta won't be expected to win the hard ball - rather his job will be pumping the ball inside 50 and being involved in score involvements. He also knows what's required to win come the grand final, something a few of his new teammates certainly did not last year.

Who else: Former Lion Jack Redden, Scott Lycett, who will back up Nic Naitanui in the ruck, Dom Sheed, Elliot Yeo and Liam Duggan will be asked to step up if the Eagles are to banish memories of their grand final defeat.

Western Bulldogs

Tom Liberatore

2015: 0 games

The Dogs are a fascinating work in progress. Will the league's fifth-youngest side maintain the rage after last year's break-out season, or will rivals now have a greater understanding of their game plan? Liberatore's season ended before it began last year when he required a knee reconstruction. While the Dogs coped without their 2014 best and fairest, the return of the clearance dynamo, who is also elite in terms of pressure acts, will be a major boost, for they ranked 12th in centre-square clearances last year and ninth in all clearances. He was due to make his return in an intra-club clash on Saturday.

Who else: Tom Boyd remains a work in progress but the power forward will be expected to deliver more, while the arrival of former Hawk Matt Suckling will provide creativity and experience.