Which player at your club is struggling to find a spot in the senior team this year?
Whether it be a lack of opportunity, form that has not warranted a call-up, floundering development, bad luck or injury woes, there are varying reasons for players being unable to break in.
We have gone though each of the 18 clubs to identify a player, or players, who have struggled to force their way in so far in 2021.
See our thoughts below:
Elliott Himmelberg
Many thought Elliott Himmelberg would be the developing tall the Crows would look to get games into in 2021.
He had some solid outings late last year and it was expected that he would force a spot in Matthew Nicks’ starting side this season.
However, he has been surpassed by top draft pick Riley Thilthorpe who has made the key forward slot his own. Billy Frampton has also played more games than Himmelberg so far in 2021.
As we all know though, key forwards take longer to come on, so hopefully Himmelberg still has a fair bit of development in front of him having just turned 23 earlier this month.
Andrew Slevison
Thomas Berry
The younger brother of Lions midfielder Jarrod, Tom Berry has failed to cement a spot in Chris Fagan’s best 22.
We mean that literally, as he seems to be constantly 23rd on Brisbane’s depth chart, being deployed as the medical substitute in his last six games at AFL level.
The 21-year-old has shown promise with his smarts around the ball and ability to break into open space, but is caught behind experienced players in Lachie Neale, Dayne Zorko and the impressive Zac Bailey as smaller players that can find the ball and hit the scoreboard.
A clear run of football in the VFL/East Coast league could do him better than missing out on game time more often than not as the medical substitute.
Lachlan Geleit
Lochie O’Brien
Lochie O’Brien has barely featured at AFL level under David Teague, with the wingman playing just two games since the start of 2020.
He had one shot at the top level in 2020 and featured in Round 1 of 2021, but has otherwise been stuck in the VFL.
The Blues haven’t exactly had a set midfield unit keeping him out, rotating the likes of Jack Newnes, Will Setterfield, Matt Cottrell, Zac Williams, Sam Petrevski-Seton, Marc Murphy, David Cuningham and Ed Curnow through the wings across the season, never really settling on a best duo.
O’Brien has been steady but not spectacular in the VFL, averaging 19 disposals per game playing on the wing as a link player.
The former top 10 draft pick is out of contract at the end of the season and it’s hard to know whether or not they have simply stamped his papers.
Nic Negrepontis
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Will Kelly
While it’s mainly been due to injury, Will Kelly has failed to cement a spot in Collingwood’s best 22 in a year where many thought he would.
The 20-year-old made an impressive debut as a forward last year, but suffered a season-ending elbow injury in the same game.
Just as the swingman looked set to be a permanent feature in Collingwood’s front six this season, his body let him down again as he broke his collarbone in a pre-season clash against Richmond.
He was then flipped into defence upon returning from injury and struggled in his only game at AFL level this year against Essendon.
His ever-changing positional situation has robbed him of the chance to string performances together in one role and make a push for senior selection.
Some consistent VFL form and a clear run with injury should see him break into the senior side sooner rather than later.
Lachlan Geleit
Patrick Ambrose
It’s easy to forget that Ambrose used to be a mainstay in the Essendon side two seasons ago, with the now 29-year-old playing 20 matches in 2019.
Since then, he’s struggled with injury and has spent the majority of the 2021 season in the VFL, with the Bombers opting to try him in the forward line with relative success.
Ambrose has only seen senior action once this season and that came as a sub in the club’s loss to Richmond where he failed to make an impact.
Out of contract at the end of the year, he’ll be looking to see more AFL game time in the final rounds in order to win a new contract.
Laurence Rosen
Luke Valente
Fremantle fans are still yet to see Luke Valente at AFL level.
The 21-year-old midfielder has plied his trade in the WAFL all season, picking up 26 disposals most recently against Claremont.
Injuries derailed the start of his career at the Dockers after being drafted out of South Australia.
Valente was taken with pick 32 in the 2018 National Draft and Fremantle have taken it slow with him given his injury issues.
He has built some continuity in the WAFL recently and only time will tell if he gets an opportunity.
Nic Negrepontis
Jordan Clark and Charlie Constable
Geelong’s young duo continue to impress in the VFL, but have largely been unable to break into the senior side such is the depth in their squad at the moment.
Clark kicked three goals in the VFL last Friday, while Constable had a game-high 31 touches against Footscray in the same game.
There’s not necessarily any harm in them continuing to impress away from the senior side, with both players ready to go should they be needed in the latter half of the year heading towards the finals.
Laurence Rosen
Rory Atkins
Rory Atkins joined Gold Coast as unrestricted free agent after playing 101 games for Adelaide.
Atkins, 26, signed a lucrative five-year deal that ties him to the Suns until at least the end of 2025.
So far in 2021, the ex-Crow has played just three senior games and last appeared at AFL level in Round 11.
It took until Round 9 for Atkins to finally crack into Gold Coast’s side. He is currently on the fringes in his first season at his new club.
Brayden Fiorini was also out of favour before playing his first game of the season against Port Adelaide last week.
Alex Zaia
Jake Riccardi
After the departure of Jeremy Cameron and only a couple of games from Jesse Hogan, you’d imagine Jake Riccardi would be a central figure of the Giants forward line by now.
However, he has been unable to force his way into Leon Cameron’s attacking setup which revolves around Toby Greene, Jeremy Finlayson and Harry Himmelberg.
Riccardi found himself playing in defence in the VFL/East Coast league before moving back into the forward 50 in recent weeks, kicking 8.4 a fortnight ago.
He’s proven himself temporarily at AFL level with performances of four goals, two goals (twice), 10 marks and nine marks, but has not managed to replicate that form so far in 2021.
Andrew Slevison
Conor Nash
After playing 14 games for the Hawks in 2019, Nash has mostly been unseen at AFL level.
He played just two games in 2020 and was quiet in his one appearance for the Hawks in 2021.
Out of contract at the end of the season, the 197cm forward will be hoping to break in and prove his credentials at the top level before the end of the year.
The Hawks have stuck with Jacob Koschitzke and Mitchell Lewis as their key forwards in the senior side this year, while Emerson Jeka is another young key position player in the mix who Hawks fans are keen to see at the top level.
They also picked up Jackson Callow in the mid-season rookie draft, while Tim O’Brien continues to be trusted at AFL level.
A combination of the above has seen Nash stuck in the VFL for most of the year.
Nic Negrepontis
Ben Brown
The star forward landed at Melbourne on a four-year deal last trade period, but a pre-season knee injury restricted him and he was later dropped after going goalless in Round 9.
Brown has been somewhat of a victim of circumstance, with Victoria’s COVID outbreak seeing the suspension of Victorian-based VFL games for three weeks.
He still has plenty of time to find his feet at his second club, but at this stage remains out of the side behind the likes of Tom McDonald and Sam Weideman as the Demons continue their stellar season.
Laurence Rosen
Will Phillips
The number three pick in the 2020 National Draft has not simply been handed games in this North Melbourne side, despite the team sitting on the bottom of the ladder and with injury issues.
Phillips played a block of games between Rounds 3 and 7 where he gained experience, but has otherwise been on the outside looking in.
The Roos are obviously taking it slow with the teenage midfielder, who has impressed in the VFL.
Across three outings, he has averaged 27 disposals per game and has cracked the 30-disposal barrier on two occasions.
While other clubs in North Melbourne’s position in the past have immediately pushed their top young picks into the senior side, the Roos are clearly happy to play it slow and let Phillips adjust to the level.
Nic Negrepontis
Sam Hayes
Drafted in 2017, Sam Hayes is still waiting to make his AFL debut.
The 22-year-old has had to ply his trade in the SANFL with Port Adelaide well stocked in the ruck department.
Hayes is still highly rated at Alberton with the 205cm prospect signing a contract extension that ties him to the club until the end of 2023.
Strong SANFL form hasn’t been enough for Hayes to get the opportunity that he is craving at the elite level.
He’s averaging 13.4 disposals, 4.4 marks, 3.4 clearances and is second in the SANFL for hit-outs (350).
Alex Zaia
Jack Ross
When assessing Jack Ross’ season by season trend, it doesn’t look as promising as it previously was for the young midfielder.
Ross, 20, played seven games in each of his first two seasons and so far in 2021 has tallied just six (not including times spent as the medical sub).
By now, many would’ve expected Ross to have grabbed a regular starting spot, but instead he seems to be used in a bit-part role. He has had chances this year to cement a position when the Tigers midfield has been depleted but just didn’t quite grasp them.
That being said, he’s only young and there is a bit to work with evidenced by three 20-plus disposal games in his first season.
Daniel Rioli
The three-time premiership player has struggled to impose himself in 2021.
A sublime talent, Rioli has not been able to grab the opportunities afforded to him with both hands, despite his previous standing in the team.
He was back in the side against West Coast prior to the bye, having come on late as a medical sub for the Dreamtime win over Essendon, but he has been omitted from the 22 on several occasions this year.
Rioli needs to grab the bull by the horns and cast aside any doubt Damien Hardwick and the coaching staff have had in him of late to again be a key contributing figure in the Richmond line-up.
Andrew Slevison
Oscar Clavarino
Oscar Clavarino finally made his AFL debut this season, 1283 days after he was drafted to St Kilda.
The 22-year-old defender was called up for the Round 11 win over North Melbourne and held his spot for the Round 12 loss to Sydney.
Clavarino was omitted after the Swans match and hasn’t been seen at senior level since.
The young Saint, who finally overcame a persistent hamstring injury, is on the periphery with his contract set to expire at the end of the season.
Luke Dunstan eventually forced his way into St Kilda’s side after a prolific run of form in the VFL.
Alex Zaia
Dylan Stephens
The former top-five pick has failed to cement a spot in Sydney’s senior side despite having multiple opportunities to do so at AFL level.
Stephens, 20, was a prolific ball winner prior to being drafted, but is yet to break 20 disposals in any of his 12 AFL appearances to date.
After eight games in his debut year, many hoped Stephens would come along with a second pre-season under his belt, but he’s again struggled to only play four senior games.
Despite being one year their senior, Stephens has played less senior football than recent draftees Errol Gulden (eight games) and Braeden Campbell (six games) in 2021, with both showing glimpses of future star potential in their AFL stints.
As an early draft pick, the talent is there, he might just need another year to build on his body and tank before we see his career re-launch.
Lachlan Geleit
Nathan Vardy, Brayden Ainsworth and Xavier O’Neill
The Eagles’ injury crisis has run deep this season, and most at Lathlain Park have been presented with an opportunity.
Premiership ruckman Nathan Vardy hasn’t featured at senior level since the derby, when he tore his right plantar fascia. To that point, the 29-year-old had recorded just 18 touches in five games.
After nine games in 2020, young midfielder Brayden Ainsworth has made just two appearances as a medical subsitute, activated only once.
Ainsworth was redeployed in defence in a reserves run-in with South Fremantle at the weekend, and notched 25 disposals.
Link-up midfielder Xavier O’Neill regained his place in the squad in the lead-in to the bye, but the selection screws are further tightening with skipper Luke Shuey to return.
Nathan John
Mitch Wallis, Lewis Young and Rhylee West
Speculation has swirled around Mitch Wallis’ future, the 2020 leading goalkicker having spent three months out of the senior team before returning as the medical substitute last Friday night.
The 28-year-old, best-suited as a forward playing above his 186cm height, has been supplanted by a fit and firing Aaron Naughton, and lacks the pace and touch to return to the midfield.
Key defender Lewis Young featured in an early victory over Brisbane and hoovered up 13 intercepts, prompting supporters to ask why he’d been limited to 15 games in four years.
He looked lost the following week however, has rarely impressed at reserve level since, and consequently Zaine Cordy and Ryan Gardner have been preferred.
Dropped after a defeat to Richmond, to his father’s evident chagrin, Rhylee West saw minutes in a recent win over Fremantle as the medical substitute, but hasn’t had a run at senior footy.
Nathan John