THERE are plenty of players who we are yet to see in 2020, but what is keeping them out?

Injuries, form and selection headaches are just some of the reasons that could be holding back players from getting a game.

THE FULL INJURY LIST Who is racing the clock?

AFL.com.au reporters have analysed all 18 clubs and name who we might see soon.

Check out who we are yet to see and why below.

Adelaide Crows

The Crows have cycled through most of their list in the opening seven rounds of the season as they search for a winning formula and first victory under coach Matthew Nicks. Riley Knight has been missing through injury after an Achilles issue then heel surgery ruled the half-forward out of selection. First-round pick Jordan Gallucci was out of the side when he tore his Achilles at training, and he will miss the rest of the season. The mix of 11 players who haven't played yet this year is mainly the group of first-year Crows, including last year's draftees Josh Worrell, Harry Schoenberg and Ronin O'Connor. - Callum Twomey

Travis Boak and Riley Knight wrestle during a recent Showdown. Picture: AFL Photos

Brisbane Lions

Once again the Lions are one of the most stable teams in the competition. Rhys Mathieson has been unable to win a spot, but was the back-up midfielder taken to Sydney and would be next in line in that part of the ground. Ely Smith would also be a consideration to debut as a midfielder. Sam Skinner has impressed as a marking forward, but will have to bide his time until Eric Hipwood, Dan McStay or one of the ruckmen is left out. Allen Christensen, Cedric Cox and Keidean Coleman are all fighting for any small or half-forward vacancies, while Jack Payne has developed as a key defender. - Michael Whiting

00:37

How's the craft from Christensen here?

Allen Christensen needed little time and space to produce this gem of a goal

Published on Aug 4, 2019

Carlton

The Blues have a number of first-round picks waiting for their chance. Lochie O'Brien has found some form in scratch matches, but probably still sits behind Sam Walsh, Jack Newnes and the out-of-favour Zac Fisher in the pecking order for a spot on the wing. Liam Stocker is still continuing his development, having returned to the midfield this season after being trialled across half-back last year. Tom De Koning dealt with an ankle injury earlier in the year and remains behind Marc Pittonet for a place in the ruck. A couple of untried rookies are also impressing, with Josh Honey tracking nicely as a tough pressure forward and Callum Moore named as an emergency a couple of times thanks to his versatility in attack. Charlie Curnow (knee) and Brodie Kemp (knee) are both long-term injury prospects and won't be seen this year, while Caleb Marchbank (knee) remains a couple of weeks away. - Riley Beveridge

Lochie O'Brien in action during the pre-season. Picture: Getty Images/AFL Photos

Collingwood

The Pies like Nathan Murphy, who has spent a significant portion of his AFL career sidelined by injury, but can't find a role for him on half-back at the moment given the supreme form of players like Brayden Maynard and Jack Crisp. It's a similar story for big-bodied midfielder Brayden Sier, who has found chances hard to come by in a star-studded Collingwood engine room. He was unlucky not to get an opportunity early in the season with Adam Treloar injured, while he still can't crack the team with Steele Sidebottom sidelined due to suspension. Creative forward Flynn Appleby hasn't played yet this season, but has been a consistent goalkicker in the club's scratch matches and has been tipped as a player who could earn his chance soon. Tom Langdon (knee), Ben Reid (calf) and Levi Greenwood (knee) would all be considered important players, but have been absent due to injury. - Riley Beveridge

00:52

Muscle and hustle for Sier's strike

Collingwood midfielder Brayden Sier kicks his first goal at AFL level

Published on Aug 11, 2018

Essendon

There are 16 Bombers who haven't been seen at senior level so far this season, with Joe Daniher top of the list as he continues his recovery from his ongoing groin battles. The Bombers don't know when or if Daniher will play this year. Patrick Ambrose faces a longer stint out with his foot injury. James Stewart could make his first appearance since 2018 this weekend against Adelaide, while midfielder Dylan Clarke has also been in the mix in recent weeks. Josh Begley is another who isn't far away and has been in form in scratch matches, while Kobe Mutch has endured injury, and has had other young midfielders jump ahead of him. Ruckman Sam Draper and small forward Irving Mosquito are pushing for AFL debuts, while the rest of the Bombers' unsighted group are largely first and second-year players. - Callum Twomey

Joe Daniher at Essendon training in July. Picture: AFL Photos

Fremantle

There are 16 players yet to be seen in 2020, but Freo fans are most excited about No.9 draft pick Liam Henry being unleashed in the forward line after recovering from his knee setback. Serious ankle injuries have kept key defenders Alex Pearce and Joel Hamling out, while pressure forward Sam Switkowski is recovering from a back injury and midfielder Stefan Giro injured his ankle after rehabbing his ACL tear. Former regular Connor Blakely hasn't broken into coach Justin Longmuir's best 22, while defender Tobe Watson and midfielders Luke Valente and Tom North appear next in line for a debut. Ruckman Lloyd Meek is waiting in the wings should Sean Darcy go down. - Chris Correia

02:26

Class of 2019: Liam Henry

Watch out for some eye-catching goal celebrations from the Fremantle Academy prospect

Published on Oct 28, 2019

Geelong Cats

With Joel Selwood out, an opening will present for Charlie Constable in the midfield logjam to play his first game since May last year. James Parsons is another to be considered – one of 17 listed Cats yet to play in 2020. With the Cats facing a fixture crunch with five games in 19 days, Nathan Kreuger is at the front of the queue ahead of Ben Jarvis when Tom Hawkins and Esava Ratugolea need a rest, while Josh Jenkins will be desperate to put his hand up after an ongoing back injury has kept him out of the last month of scratch matches. Lachie Fogarty and uncapped pair Brad Close and Francis Evans should get their chance with Gary Ablett in Victoria and fellow small forwards needing a rest. Nakia Cockatoo may only need an extra week or two of full scratch matches before he's unleashed. Top draftee Cooper Stephens has been learning the ropes at half-back with bursts in the midfield and won't be far from a debut along with second-year running machine Jacob Kennerley. In defence, Lachie Henderson is ready to go. - Mitch Cleary

00:33

Cats kid kicks a beauty

Charlie Constable scores his first goal on debut to fire up the Cats

Published on Mar 22, 2019

Gold Coast Suns

Unlike most years, the Suns have had a settled line-up so far, using just 28 players to date. Peter Wright is the most noteworthy to not play yet, with the big forward stuck behind Sam Day and Ben King. He's played well in the reserves, but needs a drop-off from one of the men in front to get a recall. Rory Thompson has had a setback on his recovery from an ACL and will struggle to crack a senior spot, while proven AFL players Jack Hombsch, Corey Ellis, Anthony Miles and Jordan Murdoch are caught behind younger players. Draftees Sam Flanders and Jeremy Sharp have both been named as emergencies and should debut this year. - Michael Whiting

00:24

Two-metre Peter snaps like a crafty crumber

Peter Wright sends a terrific snap right through the goal posts

Published on Jul 28, 2019

GWS Giants

Sam Reid's calf injury has kept him out of action for several weeks, but he will be hoping to break back into the side upon his return, while Matt Buntine has been close several times for the Giants. Aside from Buntine, the majority of the 12 Giants who haven't featured yet in 2020 are younger and unproven, including Jake Stein, Nick Shipley, Zach Sproule, Kieren Briggs and Matthew Flynn. Mature-age forward Tom Hutchesson has just recovered from a hamstring injury as he pushes for a senior call-up, while first-round pick Xavier O'Halloran is also yet to play his first AFL game. - Callum Twomey

00:42

Reid releases the goods

Some quick movement from the Giants opens up Sam Reid who finishes with the goal

Published on Mar 30, 2019

Hawthorn

The Hawks are starting to spread their wings a bit, with Will Day, Josh Morris, Harry Jones and Darren Minchington getting a look in recent rounds. However, there are still 18 players waiting for a senior opportunity, including promising Category B rookie Changkuoth Jiath. Jiath can't appear until a list vacancy opens up. The big one to come is Jarman Impey, who's back playing scratch games post-knee reconstruction. But we should see the likes of James Cousins, Dan Howe (back from injury), Michael Hartley, Finn Maginness, Dylan Moore, Conor Nash, Damon Greaves and maybe even Mathew Walker in the coming weeks, with the short breaks between games. - Marc McGowan

00:42

Plenty of flash in this snap by Nash

Conor Nash does superbly to pounce on the loose ball and snap across his body in the wet

Published on Jun 29, 2019

Melbourne

The Demons have used 32 players in a search for their best form, which is beginning to emerge. There are still 13 footballers yet to appear at senior level, headlined by Marty Hore, Tom Sparrow, James Jordon, Harry Petty, Braydon Preuss and Kade Kolodjashnij. Only young midfielders Sparrow (two games last year) and Jordon haven't experienced a long-term injury this season out of that group. Melbourne's onball rotation is a tough nut to crack but the pair might get a look during the truncated fixture ahead. Austin Bradtke, son of basketball great Mark, has made strides with his development this year, while the Wagner brothers, Josh and Corey, have shown they can play at AFL level. - Marc McGowan

00:47

Who said ruckmen don't kick running goals?

Braydon Preuss wows everyone after landing a running pearler from outside 50

Published on Apr 20, 2019

North Melbourne

Injuries are playing a role in who we are and aren't seeing in the Roos' line-up. All of Majak Daw, Ben Jacobs, Taylor Garner, Luke Davies-Uniacke, Dom Tyson, Kayne Turner, Ed Vickers-Willis, Flynn Perez and Charlie Comben have dealt with significant injuries in-season. Of the other five players yet to appear, Will Walker has had a setback and is still hitting his strides after a major injury of his own that ruined his 2019 season. Davies-Uniacke isn't far from playing, while Vickers-Willis will be keen to prove he has a future. Daw, Walker, Sam Durdin, Lachie Hosie and Turner (once fit) might get a look in during the frenetic period ahead. - Marc McGowan

00:43

LDU piles on the Pies pain

Luke Davies-Uniacke snares another to bring the Kangas fans to their feet

Published on Jun 29, 2019

 

An impressive crop of youngsters are waiting in the wings for the Power, with the creative Miles Bergman and the lively Dylan Williams both developing nicely. Each will provide plenty of X-factor for Ken Hinkley's team when they eventually earn senior opportunities, complementing fellow exciting youngsters like Connor Rozee, Zak Butters and Mitch Georgiades. The club will be patient with young ruckman Sam Hayes, who still sits behind Scott Lycett and Peter Ladhams in the pecking order. Meanwhile, recruit Wylie Buzza hasn't been able to crack a forward line where Charlie Dixon and Todd Marshall are shouldering the brunt of the team's attacking threat. Father-son prospect Jackson Mead's progress was slowed by a hamstring injury over the summer, but he is another who is showing good signs. Tough midfielder Willem Drew has been sidelined all year due to a foot injury. - Riley Beveridge

01:12

Draft Prospect: Miles Bergman

Watch highlights of 2019 NAB AFL Draft prospect Miles Bergman

Published on Aug 31, 2019

Richmond

The Tigers' depth has already been tested this year due to a number of key injuries, but they still have plenty of talent waiting in the wings. Big-bodied midfielder Riley Collier-Dawkins, who was taken with pick No.20 in the 2018 NAB AFL Draft, has been on the cusp for a number of weeks and appears likely to be given a debut in the coming weeks. Fellow first-round draft pick Thomson Dow (No.21 last year) was a standout performer in the scratch matches before a stomach bug stalled his momentum. Pat Naish, who averaged 19 disposals in his only two games last year, has been dominating on the wing and could easily slot into the senior line-up. Key defender Ryan Garthwaite and versatile tall Callum Coleman-Jones are ready to go should more injuries strike. Oleg Markov, who has 17 senior matches to his name, appears to be well down the pecking order, while youngsters Fraser Turner, Luke English, Ben Miller and Hugo Ralphsmith continue to get valuable match practice but are unlikely to be seen at AFL level in 2020. - Ben Sutton

03:33

Tomorrow's Heroes: Riley Collier-Dawkins

The tall and big-bodied midfielder knows where to find the footy

Published on Nov 7, 2018

St Kilda

Despite playing every game in 2019, Jack Sinclair and Shane Savage have been stuck on the outer. Sinclair will get his chance in coming weeks after excelling at scratch match level, while Savage will be among a rotation of defenders that includes Daniel McKenzie and Jimmy Webster, who had an interrupted pre-season. Nathan Brown is another one of 17 players yet to feature this year and is ready to go alongside Oscar Clavarino should a key back need a rest. Jack Bytel is all but certain to debut during the compressed fixture, while Ed Phillips and Doulton Langlands will jump up the queue with others rested. Ryan Abbott has done his chances no harm at scratch match level, but will need to rely on an opening if Rowan Marshall needs a spell. Matthew Parker played 17 games last year and is starting to string together match fitness after an interrupted summer. - Mitch Cleary

00:21

Sinclair more like Harvey with this stirring run

St Kilda's No. 35 Jack Sinclair dashes through the middle of the 'G before feeding Tim Membrey for a stylish finish

Published on May 18, 2019

Sydney Swans

Lance Franklin hasn't played since his 300th game last year, firstly because of a knee injury, then the serious hamstring setback. The superstar forward is still about five weeks off being considered. However, Sam Reid might return this weekend, while the rest of the 13 footballers yet to play in 2020 will hope to appear during the compressed fixture period. Zac Foot and Sam Wicks are two Swans showing promise, while Joel Amartey is free of injury and set to push his case. The experienced Jackson Thurlow and draftee Will Gould are other candidates, and injury-cursed defender Matthew Ling is focusing on getting matches under his belt. - Marc McGowan

13:40

The 23 biggest and best goals of Buddy Franklin's career

Ahead of Lance Franklin's 300th game in 2020, we celebrated with a countdown of his best ever goals

Published on Mar 26, 2020

West Coast Eagles

Mark Hutchings headlines the 15 Eagles yet to play this season, having dealt with several hiccups with his knee. While the Eagles will avoid the fixture crunch in the next month, the premiership midfielder should get his chance in the coming fortnight. Hamish Brayshaw and Xavier O'Neill are others who have been emergencies in recent weeks and could fill a void in the midfield. Adam Simpson appears to have settled on Oscar Allen as Nic Naitanui's back-up, but if either need a break, Nathan Vardy and the uncapped Bailey Williams appear next in line with Tom Hickey. Jamaine Jones came from left-field for his debut, so don't be shocked if rookies Anthony Treacy and Nic Reid are called upon to help with the dearth of small forward options. The man named the 'Super Freak' – Francis Watson – is another option at half-back after two games last year. - Mitch Cleary

00:39

Eagle's beautiful sky-high finish

Mark Hutchings snaps a brilliant goal over his right shoulder

Published on Aug 26, 2018

Western Bulldogs

Tough midfielder Callum Porter has finally got the reward for his consistently strong form and will make his debut against the Suns. Ruckman Jordon Sweet would be an instant inclusion if anything happens to Tim English, while Will Hayes and Roarke Smith could be in the mix for wing roles. Eleven Bulldogs are yet to feature this year, with veterans Jackson Trengove and Tory Dickson the most surprising names of the lot. Brad Lynch, Fergus Greene and Buku Khamis are further down the depth chart and less likely to feature this year. Taylor Duryea is another month off with a quad injury and Riley Garcia is unlikely to play soon as he recovers from a knee injury. - Jourdan Canil

00:24

Dogs dodge and Hayes sends it home

The Bulldogs work it through the forward line and Will Hayes finishes from a tough angle

Published on Apr 27, 2019