Fasolo played just three games in 2013 after fracturing his navicular bone, but had fully recovered by the end of the season and he is back on the training track and hoping to play midfield as well as kicking more goals as a damaging small forward. - Ashley Browne

While Hurley played 16 games in 2013, his impact was often limited due to injury. If it wasn't his ankle, it was his wrist or concussion that hampered him this year. If he can put in an injury-free preseason, he is every chance of delivering in 2014. Then the only issue will be where Mark Thompson thinks he can play his best football - in defence or up forward? At this stage, the coach seems to think it's the former. - Jacqui Reed

Fremantle

Anthony Morabito

Morabito hasn't played in the AFL since September 2010 due to three knee reconstructions. He is such an unknown he is virtually a new recruit. He hasn't played a competitive match of any sort since June 23, 2012. He was in full training during the 2013 season but was rested in August to prepare for a full pre-season. If he can get back he adds another dynamic player of genuine pace through Fremantle's midfield and half-forward line. - Alex Malcolm

Four months after undergoing his fourth knee reconstruction, the 22-year-old half-forward recently headed to the United States where he spent a week working with renowned sports injury guru Bill Knowles. Now back running, along with completing regular strength and balance sessions in the gym, Menzel is hoping to start training with his teammates in February. He is aiming to be declared fit to play by early June. - Adam McNicol

Gold Coast

Nathan Bock

Bock suffered a horrendous broken leg in 2012 and, after 15 months out of senior footy, came back to play two games late last season. Bock went in for surgery to remove the rod from his leg but is expected to be available at the start of 2014. The 30-year-old still has a crucial role to play with his ability to play as both a key forward and key defender. He can take pressure off the likes of Sam Day, Tom Lynch and Rory Thompson as they continue to develop. - Michael Whiting

Greater Western Sydney

Jonathon Patton

Patton has had a tough run so far in his young career, limited to seven games in his rookie season due to knee and shoulder injuries, before rupturing his ACL three games into 2013. The No.1 pick from the 2011 NAB AFL Draft is due his fair share of luck to show what he can do at the top level and he is tracking well with his rehabilitation. The 20-year-old has been trouble-free during his recovery and may make an appearance during the 2014 NAB Challenge, but has his eyes focused on round one. He has shown enormous promise in his 10 games and will be keen to stamp his authority alongside Jeremy Cameron and incoming top draft pick Tom Boyd in the GWS forward line. - James Dampney

Ryan Schoenmakers, Alex Woodward and, eventually, Brendan Whitecross will also return from anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions sometime in 2014, but Suckling shapes as the biggest inclusion. With fellow rebounding defender Brent Guerra retired, the razor-like left boot of Suckling should be the perfect replacement.  Having suffered his injury in this year's NAB Cup, the New South Welshman is expected to be back on the field early in the 2014 season, and there's no reason to expect he won't return to the form that saw him lead the Hawks for rebound 50s and marks in 2012. - Mark Macgugan

Melbourne

Mitch Clark

The Demons are hopeful Mitch Clark will return to his best in 2014 after 18 months ruined by a serious foot injury. Clark played the first four games this year before it was determined that he needed an operation to remove a screw from his surgically-repaired foot, following the original LisFranc fracture sustained in round 13, 2012. Thankfully for Melbourne fans, he seems to have turned the corner. Clark is back running three times a week and is keen to join in full training, although the club is taking an ultra-cautious approach. His return will be a gigantic fillip for the club which will also benefit from the services of boom recruit Jesse Hogan up forward. - Ben Guthrie



Mitch Clark's time at Melbourne has been ruined so far by a serious foot injury. Picture: AFL Media

North Melbourne

Kieran Harper

After playing 37 games in his first two seasons, Harper seemed set to become even more influential in 2013. However, after playing this year's first three rounds, the forward/midfielder was dropped and spent the rest of the season in the VFL struggling with form and a left ankle injury. Harper suffered a setback when his ankle did not improve with rest over the off-season, forcing him to undergo arthroscopic surgery late last month. He is on a modified program at North's Utah training camp, but the Roos expect him to return to full training soon. He remains a prodigious talent and will add zip and class to the Roos in 2014 if he starts to win more of the ball. North skipper Andrew Swallow endured an almost identical case of third-year blues in 2008 and the Roos will be hoping Harper can bounce back just as well. - Nick Bowen

Port Adelaide

John Butcher
The opportunities for Butcher to fulfill his potential will begin to dry up if he can't make something of 2014, but those in the know at Alberton remain confident he can emerge as a serious attacking threat. He's got a good leap, strong hands and is hard to stop when on top of his game; injuries haven't yet allowed him a clean run. Hip surgery hampered his 2013 pre-season, then a hand injury, tonsillitis and further hip problems ended his year. Butcher needs a huge summer, but if he can stay injury-free and find confidence at senior level early, he has the ability to quickly silence his critics. - Harry Thring

Richmond

Chris Knights

It wasn't the way former Adelaide midfielder saw his first season as a Tiger playing out. Knights suffered a sickening season-ending knee injury in round seven against Port Adelaide. He damaged the patella tendon when he went to kick the ball with his right leg collapsing dramatically underneath him. Knights needed surgery to reattach the tendon and was ruled out for the rest of the season, after he had just started to hit some form in his five games as a Tiger. Now, after an extended period out, the Tigers will have a refreshed near-recruit for season 2014 with Knights back running before pre-season started. He's considered a long way ahead of where the club thought he would be and is in excellent condition but will start the pre-season on modified duties with the Tigers keen for a conservative approach. - Jennifer Phelan 

A mid-sized forward who can also play in the midfield, Markworth would have featured at senior level in 2013 if not for a serious knee injury. The 21-year-old tore his right anterior cruciate ligament during the Saints' training camp in Colorado last year, wiping out his entire second season. Highly rated at Seaford, he completed a training burst with former ironman champion Trevor Hendy in July and was back in non-contact training with his teammates shortly after. Having made a complete recovery, he is now in full training and will return to Colorado with the Saints next week. He shapes as an exciting inclusion to the club's forward line and midfield mix in 2014. - Nathan Schmook

Sydney Swans

Take your pick

The Swans were missing a host of key elements during 2013 and should be boosted by their returns this season. Adam Goodes' latest knee injury kept him out from round 13 onwards and he will be keen to show he still has some good football left in him. Lewis Roberts-Thomson was set to revert to his position in defence last season, but lasted only four games until a knee injury ended his year. Fellow defender Alex Johnson (knee) missed the whole season and should make a welcome return during the year and Rhyce Shaw is recovering from LARS knee surgery, while Sam Reid (quad) and Tommy Walsh (hamstring) should be fit and firing for round one. - James Dampney

It feels like an age since we've seen Naitanui in his pomp. The 2012 All Australian had his 2013 season ravaged by persistent groin issues. He managed just 11 matches last season and all were played under duress. He didn't play after round 17 in order to prepare properly for a full pre-season. West Coast have a number of players who fall into this category but none can have as much impact on the Eagles as a fit and firing Nic Nat. - Alex Malcolm

Western Bulldogs

Shaun Higgins