Scott Thompson has been on a modified program as he prepares for his 17th AFL campaign. Thompson, who turns 34 in March, suffered a minor shoulder injury last week and will be out of contact work for a fortnight. Thompson played 22 out of a possible 24 games last season, but faces a battle to regain his spot in the Crows' best 22 as they look to add more pace to the midfield. The veteran of 307 games is expected to be available for the JLT Community Series. Champion goalsneak Eddie Betts has returned in great nick and shows no signs of slowing down. The 30-year-old recently signed a three-year deal to stay at the Crows until the end of 2020. Midfielder Richard Douglas, who turns 30 in February, is likely to become a utility player this season. One of just seven Crows to play every game last year, Douglas will spend time again in the forward line, but has also been training with the defenders. - Lee Gaskin

With the youngest list in the competition, the Lions are pretty light-on for experience, let alone veterans. Only seven players will be 27 or older this year. At 30, mobile ruckman Stefan Martin is comfortably the oldest player at the club, and after a slightly down 2016, has barely missed a beat in the pre-season. After coming to the sport at a late age (he made his debut at 21), he isn't your typical veteran, and still has three years to run on his contract. After that, calling any Lions 'veterans' is a real stretch. Mitch Robinson would hate to read this, but at 27, has put his body through more than most players do in an entire career. He's finished first and second in the past two best and fairest counts, and the former Blue has again been strong in the pre-season and will be a midfield regular. Dayne Zorko is about to turn 28, but has been in the system just five years and has a heap of good football in front of him. - Michael Whiting

Skipper Marc Murphy has managed more than 20 games just twice in the past five seasons and missed half of last season because of an ankle complaint. But he said in a radio interview last week he feels like he's '22 again' and that he expects to play in the JLT Community Series. Dale Thomas told the club website that he had a "really good crack" at the pre-Christmas training bloc and is also planning to play in the pre-season competition. He played 18 games in 2016 after just five the year before. The Blues have a few niggles elsewhere, but other veterans such as Kade Simpson and Dennis Armfield are good to go. - Ashley Browne

New recruit Daniel Wells sent a scare through the Magpies camp when he hurt his calf pre-Christmas but he has been back on track in recent weeks, participating in match practice. Questions surround his durability but the Magpies wanted his class around the middle so took a punt. His form will be scrutinised throughout the season as he shapes as a boom-or-bust recruit. Collingwood also added Lynden Dunn to the list to bolster its defensive stocks and expect his long kicking and aggressive style to be a boost. Despite his resilience and 165 games experience, Dunn still needs to prove himself. In match simulation he was given the kick-out duties so he will be expected to assume responsibility. The versatile Tyson Goldsack is a compliant type who was hampered through injury in 2016. However he has recovered well from post-season hip surgery and is being geared to play a defensive role in 2017. - Peter Ryan

Former skipper Jobe Watson, who will turn 32 on February 8, has well and truly overcome his initial motivation issues and is in perhaps career-best shape, warming the hearts of all Bombers fans with a dominant performance in a recent intraclub practice match. Another returning veteran midfielder, Brent Stanton, 30, has also been on an individualised training program designed to guard against injury after a season-long lay-off but is steadily regaining his status as one of the club's elite runners. The Dons' 2016 stand-in skipper Brendon Goddard, 32 in May, looks set to power towards 300 games mid-season as he maintains his renowned standards of excellence, while the club's oldest player, rejuvenated ex-Cat James Kelly, 33, is also on track to notch the triple century. Small backman Mark Baguley, who will be 30 in May, has recovered from the knee injury that sidelined him for the second half of last season but was beaten in the intraclub contest by youngster Orazio Fantasia (two goals). - Ben Collins

David Mundy underwent minor post-season surgery after being troubled by an ankle issue last year and has been reaping the benefits on the training track. The 31-year-old midfielder appears to have trimmed down a touch and feels fitter than he has in years. Small forward Hayden Ballantyne is another Docker who has been doing plenty of extra running around the boundary at Fremantle Oval as he attempts to get back to 2014 All Australian form. Danyle Pearce ran close to a personal best in the 3km time trial and the 30-year-old has been one of the more vocal players on the track. Defender Michael Johnson and giant ruckman Aaron Sandilands have had strong summers after seasons ruined by injuries last year, while fellow big man Jonathon Griffin is starting to build up his workload after being hampered by Achilles soreness. Lee Spurr and Zac Dawson have been working closely with their backline colleagues, as Freo prepares to field a new-look defence this season. - Travis King

Following the retirements of Corey Enright and Jimmy Bartel, the Cats have just three players on their list who are 30 or above. In what could be their final seasons, Tom Lonergan, 32, and Andrew Mackie, 32, will be looking to hold their spots in Geelong's defence throughout 2017. The Cats have improved their depth and are eager to speed up their ball movement coming out of the back half. Lonergan remains a consistent shutdown defensive option, and with Lachie Henderson and Harry Taylor also at Simonds Stadium, the Cats are well stocked for tall backmen. Mackie will be locked in competition with mature-age draftee Tom Stewart and Jackson Thurlow, returning from a serious knee injury, for the half-back spots. Taylor, 30, has spent time training as a forward this pre-season as the Cats look at ways of lessening the reliance on spearhead Tom Hawkins. Although he is an All Australian defender, Taylor's ability to clunk marks has Geelong keen to explore the idea of deploying him in attack at stages during 2017. - Ben Guthrie

The Suns now have a nice mix of older and younger players, but if things go well, there should be less reliance on the senior guys in 2017. Gary Ablett is on the way back from a second shoulder surgery, and has trained the house down during pre-season. While most fans would love to see the little champion return to his scintillating best, at 32 that's a tall order. What you can expect is a mix of time between midfield and forward, and Ablett to be the icing on the cake, rather than the entire cake as he has so often needed to be. Matt Rosa was an excellent acquisition last year, and the specialist wingman will again play games, but should be pushed by the younger players to retain his spot. Freo signing Michael Barlow has fitted in seamlessly (he's already a member of the leadership group) and adds depth to the midfield. Jarrod Harbrow is a club favourite, and although only 28, has played almost 200 games and will again be a regular across half-back, while hard-nut Michael Rischitelli is expected to return from his ACL injury in May. - Michael Whiting

Star forward Steve Johnson is yet to resume full training after off-season thumb surgery, but got his cast off earlier this month and is hopeful of joining the main group in the next few weeks. Brett Deledio has fitted in seamlessly at his new home and his teammates are already talking up his influence on the track, while former Fremantle utility Tendai Mzungu finished inside the top five in both of the club's official 3km time trials. Big ruckman Shane Mumford is always managed through training at this time of the year and appeared poised to play a big part in the JLT Community series after some interruptions with his ankle last year, but elbow surgery means he will miss a month of training and the early stages of the pre-season competition. Ryan Griffen, who played just 15 games in 2017 thanks to back and hamstring injuries, has been a standout on the track, as has dual All Australian Heath Shaw. - Adam Curley

The Hawks staged about 30 minutes of match simulation at the Ricoh Centre last Friday. Prominent through the midfield was Shaun Burgoyne and the evergreen utility looks fit and ready for his 16th AFL season. Former captain Luke Hodge is also saddling up for his 16th season and while didn't take part in the match practice, fitness boss Andrew Russell believes Hodge is as fit as he has been for years. Defender Josh Gibson completed the session, as did Jarryd Roughead, who is about to complete one of the great footy fairytales by captaining the club after missing all of 2016 while battling cancer. If the Hawks stick to the script, expect the above quartet to play two of the three pre-season games. - Ashley Browne

The Demons have just two players on their list above 30 years of age, with star recruit Jordan Lewis joining Bernie Vince. Lewis' influence has been significant since arriving at the club in October. The 30-year-old is a seasoned professional on the track, with his precise kicking skills – particularly going inside 50 – a standout. The four-time premiership Hawk has been vocal in meetings and active in providing feedback to his younger teammates at training and off the field. Expect him to be part of Melbourne's leadership group when it is announced in the next month. Vince, 31, has had a full pre-season after being bothered by hamstring tendinitis in the lead up to the 2016 season. Journeyman Cameron Pedersen is due to turn 30 in March and, after being stuck in rehab following shoulder surgery at the end of last season, is almost back in full training. - Ben Guthrie

Andrew Swallow has been a standout on the track since stepping down as Roos captain. Free of the knee problems that disrupted his 2016 pre-season, Swallow joined North's first to fourth-year players on a high-altitude camp in Utah in November and has completed close to a full program since his return. The three-time best and fairest winner has looked particularly sharp during match practice. Despite suffering a rare time-trial loss on the opening day of pre-season, Sam Gibson has enjoyed another strong summer preparation, leading the way in the Roos' gruelling running sessions. Jarrad Waite underwent hip surgery last August but reported for pre-season training on day one and has not looked back since. The key forward moved well during full-ground match simulation this week and is poised to enter the JLT Community Series in excellent condition. Defender Scott Thompson remains on a modified program after undergoing adductor surgery in December, but hopes to return to training in two weeks and play some part in North's JLT Community Series campaign. - Nick Bowen

Two of the Power's most experienced campaigners will essentially be new recruits this season. Forward Angus Monfries, 30, returns to the fold after serving a 12-month ban as part of the Essendon supplements saga. Unfortunately, a shoulder injury suffered in November has put the 30-year-old behind the eight ball as he aims to force his way back into the Power's best 22. Along with Aaron Young and Jarman Impey, Monfries faces stiff competition from fellow veteran Matthew White. White, who turns 30 in April suffered a torn pectoral muscle in the opening quarter of the Power's round one win against St Kilda. He then fractured his cheekbone in the SANFL in August. White's trademark pace has been on display during match simulation drills. Key forward Justin Westhoff, 30, has done everything he's needed to do during the pre-season, as has captain Travis Boak, who will bring up his 200th game in round one against Sydney at the SCG. - Lee Gaskin

Star forward Jack Riewoldt spent his fair share of time in the operating theatre after a right ankle reconstruction and two bouts of surgery on the little finger in his right hand – the second time because the titanium plate that was inserted snapped after just three weeks. He was forced to cross-train and use the AlterG treadmill (which allows the user to run without putting all their body weight on their legs) but the dual Coleman medallist returned to the main group before Christmas. Since he was drafted, Riewoldt's work ethic on the track hasn't been questioned and that has held him in good stead. Shane Edwards has had a full pre-season and looks set to match his career-best form after having injury problems last year. He spent a lot of time in the midfield in 2016 but with Dion Prestia and Josh Caddy traded in, expect to see more of Edwards' creativity up forward. - Dinny Navaratnam

Former skipper Nick Riewoldt has been on the program that has served him well in the recent past. That has meant basically no running before Christmas to help protect his left knee. He did not attend the club's pre-season trip to New Zealand since he had a child due, but Riewoldt has been more involved at training since the new year. A successful move to defence for Leigh Montagna will continue in 2017 after he provided rebound from the back half. One of the more durable players in the AFL, having played at least 20 games in 10 of the past 11 seasons, and looks on track for another strong year. Sam Gilbert will likely again spend most of his time in defence, although the additions of Jake Carlisle and Nathan Brown to the team should allow Gilbert to spend more time in the midfield. Onballer David Armitage did not have much of a pre-season last time round but looks to have had a better preparation ahead of the 2017 season. - Dinny Navaratnam

Lance Franklin is making steady progress from off-season shoulder surgery and while he hasn't been cleared for contact work, that shouldn't be far away. Former co-captains Jarrad McVeigh and Kieren Jack handed over the reins to Josh Kennedy in December, and while their roles have changed, the star trio's renowned training professionalism has remained, with all three in fantastic condition. Big man Kurt Tippett has shown no signs of the serious hamstring injury he suffered last year and the 29-year-old is set to reclaim his No.1 ruck role in the JLT Community Series, with Sam Naismith still recovering from a shoulder reconstruction. Defenders Heath Grundy and Nick Smith are two of the Swans' most reliable players and it's been business as usual for the pair, who have looked sharp and composed in match simulation. - Adam Curley

It shouldn't come as a surprise given his fastidious preparation, but Matt Priddis has bounced back from off-season surgery on two bulging discs in his back. The 31-year-old ball magnet has been powering through running drills and appears to have already forged a strong connection with fellow Brownlow medallist Sam Mitchell. The 34-year-old ex-Hawks champion has been ultra-impressive, dishing out advice and using the ball with typical precision, and seems likely to be voted into the Eagles' leadership group. Former North Melbourne forward Drew Petrie, also 34, looks trim, has been training with intensity and is right in the frame to debut against his old side in round one. Dual Coleman medallist Josh Kennedy was kept in cotton wool pre-Christmas after a heavy workload during the past two seasons. The spearhead has looked fit and sharp in match simulation since, as has sidekick Mark LeCras, who took a screamer at training earlier this month. Evergreen defender Sam Butler and skipper Shannon Hurn have been ticking the boxes in typical no-fuss style. – Travis King

Three key cogs in the premiers' machine rank among the top 10 oldest players in the competition but at 34 years of age, Robert Murphy, Matthew Boyd and Dale Morris are keeping up with the club's exciting youngsters this pre-season. Murphy, the AFL's oldest player, looks set to play in round one after his recovery from a knee reconstruction has gone to plan, while Boyd and Morris have shown no signs of slowing down after impressive 2016 campaigns. After dominating last year's finals series, Liam Picken hasn't missed a beat on the track this summer and the 30-year-old looks set for another big year. Travis Cloke's arrival at Whitten Oval will be an interesting sub-plot as the Dogs attempt to go back-to-back. The 29-year-old will be keen to recapture the form that eluded him in his last few years at Collingwood and appears to have trimmed down in his bid to reignite his career. - Ryan Davidson