The Peel region products taking to the field this AFL season

Among those players is a handful of Peel region products that will line up for their respective teams this season.

Below, we take a quick look at those local legends and how they might fare in the upcoming season.

Having been part of the side that got torched by Collingwood in last year's preliminary final, McIntosh enters the year with a point to prove. The 24-year-old became a premiership player with the Tigers in 2017, and has made the cut for their round one team set to play against Carlton on Thursday night. The Pinjarra product has managed to carve out his spot in a star-studded Richmond outfit over recent years, and will be eager to help the Tigers make the most of their premiership window as they head into 2019 as flag favourites.

My tip to be the best player on this list in 2019, the sky is the limit for Rockingham junior Aaron Naughton. The top-10 draft pick's outstanding rookie season landed him in fourth on the Western Bulldogs' best and fairest count, behind only club legends in Lachie Hunter, Jack Macrae and Marcus Bontempelli. He's been labelled arguably the best young defender in the AFL, and might get the job on Lance Franklin in his first game, but don't discount his ability to roll forward. The Dogs are crying out for a target in their front half, and Naughton proved he can play the role after nailing three goals in a JLT Community Series game against St Kilda.

Wells heads into the year facing his share of struggles. Firstly, the foot injury that has plagued him all pre-season, and secondly, the fact that Collingwood has become such a talented side it's hard to see the 34-year-old cracking into the 22.The Pies acquired superstar Dayne Beams to join a team that only just lost a grand final by five points, making it hard to see Wells fitting into their side. However, when fit and firing, Wells' silky skills are an asset, and could give the Magpies selectors headaches. He is expected to be playing at the VFL level within the first month of the season.

Wilson's first year in Fremantle colours following his time at GWS was extremely promising, as he cemented his role across half back and was one of the few bright lights in an otherwise gloomy season for the Dockers. But having played so well in 2018, Wilson now heads in with the expectation that he can do more this time around. Having an extra year in the Dockers' system, it's fair to assume the 26-year-old backman will. 

Nearing the dusk of his career, Ballantyne finds himself entering 2019 trying to maintain his regular spot in Fremantle's 22. The small forward has had a glittering all-Australian career with the Dockers but with youngsters Sam Switkowski and Lachie Schultz knocking on the door for selection, Ballantyne's best hope of staying in the side lies with hitting the scoreboard. He managed 21 goals from 17 games last season, and the Dockers will be looking for similar or greater output this year with the small forward's signature pressure not what it once was.

At this point, Bennell would simply like to be back on the field let alone starring in games. He's faced a mountain of struggles since arriving at the Dockers, with persistent calf injuries and off-field issues plaguing the talented 26-year-old's time in purple. It's impossible to predict when Bennell might be right to string together a handful of games at this point, but Fremantle remains eager to see what he can do should he get on the park.

Lynch cracked into the Doggies' side late last year playing their final nine games and impressing many. The smooth-moving defender had few expectations after being elevated as a rookie, but gathering 23 disposals in his second appearance helped him stake his spot in the side and earned him a fresh two-year contract. He will still face his struggles to lock down a spot in the side when they are fit and healthy, but if Lynch can continue his strong form from late last season it's all the better for the Dogs.

Nursing an ankle injury that currently has him sidelined for the next 2-4 weeks, Schoenfeld missed the Suns' two JLT Community Series games that would have been the perfect opportunity for the 21-year-old to impress selectors. Schoenfeld appeared in six games for a turbulent Suns outfit last season, the best of which saw him collect 20 disposals in a loss to Hawthorn. The second-round draft pick remains a chance to eventually crack into the Suns' regular side, and will look to take his opportunities upon his return from injury.