On Tuesday morning, those dreamers will have their ticket stamped or spiked – their dreams realised or ruined, in the NAB AFL Pre-Season and Rookie Draft.
Live and exclusive coverage begins right here from 10am AEDT (Pre-Season Draft) and 10.20am AEDT (Rookie Draft).
With just a handful of selections available, the pre-season draft provides but a glimmer of hope for those perched on the barstools of the Last-Chance Saloon.
Will Josh Carr head to Port Adelaide? Is Chris Johnson headed to Carlton or back to Melbourne again? And, the $64,000 question, will Ben Cousins be wearing Tiger stripes come Tuesday morning?
Or will the clubs plum for youth, given the spectre of the Gold Coast's young warrior tribe?
There is only one place you'll find out first - afl.com.au.
With exclusive access to the live draft from AFL headquarters, we will provide real-time updates as each of the selections are called.
As well as the newest of news, we'll publish comprehensive background on the players picked, including video highlights so you can find out if your club has unearthed a draft diamond or discovered a precious rookie gem.
Club and player reaction will come next as we get the inside word from the recruiters who shape the draft and those players who are in for a very happy Christmas.
Capping off the coverage will be in-depth analysis of the selections by afl.com.au's Matt Burgan.
And don't forget the most extensive news in the lead-up to the drafts themselves is only available right here.
