But as we've come to learn, football is as much about the old as it is the new.

As you take your seat in the grandstand, or on the couch at home, there's that inevitable excitement of watching your team's latest draft picks or star recruits. Then there's the nervous anticipation of watching a gun player make their return from injury.

Hawthorn fans held their breath with Jaeger O'Meara, as did Bulldogs fans for their inspirational captain Bob Murphy. Jamie Elliott scared Collingwood fans when he limped off the track with an ankle injury this week, but those same fans were equally relieved to hear it was nothing serious. Nat Fyfe could make his long-awaited return to the football field on Saturday if he leads Fremantle out to take on arch-rivals West Coast.

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But what about the players that are quietly going about their returns to senior football? The ones that have managed to stay somewhat under the radar. Or the ones you haven't heard about in a while? Without further ado, the forgotten few.

DAYNE BEAMS

Potentially the most underrated player in the competition in terms of impact in a game. The former Magpie star managed only two games in 2016 as a knee injury cruelled his season, for a team that desperately needed all the talent they could get. A dual best and fairest, an All-Australian, a premiership player and a genuine gun.

Impact player: Dayne Beams managed just two games in 2016. Photo: Getty Images

MARC MURPHY

With so much positivity engulfing Carlton in the first half of last year, Murphy's influence on his teammates didn't receive much external attention. When Murphy went down with an ankle injury in round 10, the Blues had won five of their last six. They won just two more games for the year. Make no mistake: he is Carlton's best player. Coach Brendon Bolton has said Murphy had the best pre-season of anyone at the club. Adds at least two extra wins if he plays a full year. 

Class: Marc Murphy is Carlton's best player. Photo: Getty Images

TROY MENZEL

Remember this bloke? A first-round draft pick at Carlton who made his way to Adelaide in a trade that made many Blues fans furious. Turned up to his first pre-season out of shape and unfit and played an entire year in the SANFL. A former first-round pick who has well and truly been forgotten. From all reports Menzel has been one of the shining lights of the pre-season for the Crows, which is a good sign, and is set to make his first appearance in 2017 in Friday night's pre-season match against Richmond.

Troy who? Menzel will make an appearance for Adelaide this Friday night. Photo: Getty Images

HARLEY BENNELL

Hard to forget about this guy, particularly given Ross Lyon's comments about him last week. Mysterious calf injury aside, Bennell has played some brilliant football for the Suns. But that was back in 2015. We've forgotten that Harley Bennell. The Dockers sent him to Germany in December to receive treatment from soft-tissue expert Dr Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt. Seriously talented footballer if and when he plays.

Harley Bennell is yet to play a home and away match for the Dockers. Photo: Getty Images

CAM MCCARTHY

Certainly not forgotten by Greater Western Sydney, the club he held to ransom before sitting out all of 2016. The first-round pick from South Coogee was finally granted his wish at the end of last year, and traded to Fremantle. The Dockers are hoping he will help their scoring issues. Kicked 36 goals in his 21 games at the Giants. Will be watched closely. 

Cam McCarthy got his wish and has moved west. Photo: Getty Images

MICHAEL JOHNSON

Hard to forget about someone who is making headlines for the wrong reasons, but you get the point. Suffered a season-ending combined hamstring and knee injury in round five and Fremantle's defensive group never really recovered. An All-Australian who has finished in the top three in the best and fairest three times. Still dealing with legal issues after a kebab shop altercation.

AARON SANDILANDS

Pretty hard not to remember someone who's almost seven feet tall, but here's a reminder just in case. The Fremantle giant missed 16 weeks with fractured ribs and a punctured lung in 2016. Although he played the last three games of the year – when the Dockers' season was already over – he suffered a setback with a calf injury a month ago. The club believes he'll play some part in the pre-season series. Massive boost (pardon the pun).

Hard to miss: Aaron Sandilands picked up a calf injury last month. Photo: Getty Images

JACKSON RAMSAY

Played in round one and two for the Pies before going down with a knee injury that ruined his season. That was after a promising start to 2015, after which he succumbed to a shin problem. Very highly rated and respected prospect who had 17 disposals in the pre-season opener against Essendon and has also impressed in Collingwood's intra-clubs. One to watch.

DAVID SWALLOW

Talk about forgotten! The star half-back flanker has played six games since the start of the 2015 season. The vision of him gliding across the ground against Brisbane in the Suns' first pre-season match this year was a sight for sore eyes. Remember, this guy won the club's best and fairest in 2014. Looks to be over his hamstring and knee issues. Fingers crossed for a massive year.

Sight for sore eyes: David Swallow is keen for a huge season. Photo: Getty Images

CHRISTIAN SALEM

Started 2016 so promisingly off half back, then found himself in the VFL after missing round seven due to concussion. Missed the best part of two months with a thyroid problem and didn't return to the senior team until the final game of the year. Had 19 disposals in the pre-season match against the Bulldogs at the weekend. A former top 10 pick who is a key cog in Melbourne's best 22 if he can find continuity in his body.

MATT WHITE

One of the competition's more exciting players to watch when he's in full flight, the Port Adelaide speedster was struck down in round one last year with a pectoral muscle tear. Played 22 games in 2014 when Port were a kick away from a grand final, and possesses the X-factor to threaten any opponent. Almost a new recruit.

ALEX JOHNSON

It's difficult to write this bloke's name without getting emotional. Having undergone five knee reconstructions, Johnson hasn't played a game since the Swans' 2012 grand final win over Hawthorn, where he was arguably the best player on the ground to half-time. To put that in perspective, current premiership favourites GWS won two games in 2012. Johnson has been placed on the long-term injury list but the Swans are very happy with his rehabilitation. Should be available for selection in the NEAFL by round four. Absolutely in their best 22. 

Sydney Swans defender Alex Johnson ran for the first time in almost three years in 2016. Photo: Sydney Swans

NATHAN VARDY

Twenty-five games in five seasons says it all for Vardy. He played one senior game for the Cats in 2016 but showed some promising signs in the VFL, before missing the latter part of the year with an ongoing ankle issue. Said to be thriving under full-time ruck coach Dean Cox at West Coast, Vardy will be eyeing off the No.1 spot vacated by the injured Nic Naitinui. Just needs to string a few games together.

Opportunity in the west: Nathan Vardy. Photo: Getty Images