The AFL's extended COVID-19 enforced break has served, essentially, as another pre-season for all 18 AFL teams, and an opportunity for some struggling clubs to work on finally getting things right.
But time away from the spotlight cannot paper over every crack. Even the strongest clubs have serious questions over them. With that in mind, we're taking a wider look at the state-of-play and pinpointing every team's question mark heading into Round 2.
Is something seriously wrong with the Adelaide Crows' culture?
After the Crows breached AFL's training protocols recently, questions of the Crows' culture again re-surfaced. Further concerns were raised over vision of teammates Kyle Hartigan and Billy Frampton punching on at training. In this uncertain season, surely only clubs with strong leadership and cultural cohesion will succeed. Can the Crows prove they've turned over a new leaf?
Has COVID-19 thwarted the Brisbane Lions' momentum?
After a wildly resurgent year that brought crowds back to the Gabba in a big way, the Lions would have been hoping to re-capture last year's spark early in 2020. After a disappointing Round 1 loss to Hawthorn, the shutdown has meant the Lions have been unable to prove just yet that 2019 was more than a flash in the pan.
Can David Teague translate late-season promise to full-year success for Carlton?
Brendon Bolton's four years at Carlton brought losses and more losses and not a whole lot else. Interim coach David Teague stepped in and rallied the Blues in a promising finish to the 2019 season, but the club needs more than promise now after years of false hopes.
Will Collingwood's stars all make it on the field at the same time?
Adam Treloar's injury seems to be a minor one but it does nothing to quash Pies fans' concerns over the club's ability to get their best 22 on the park for an extended period. 2020 could be the year of the Magpie but only if persistent injury - and illegal betting - troubles are put behind them.
Has Joe Daniher played his last game for the Bombers?
Joe Daniher is still "a fair way off" according to Bombers coach John Worsfold. While a return to action in 2020 is still the goal for the injury-plagued forward, serious doubts remain over his long-term future at the club.
What does the year hold for the Dockers and Jesse Hogan?
With news Jesse Hogan will join his Dockers teammates in the Gold Coast as he ramps up his training regime, there are now cautious hopes Hogan will return to revitalise his claim as one of the best young forwards in the competition. Small steps for now, but the Dockers look in a much better spot than they did 12 months ago.
Will home comforts propel the Cats over the line this year?
The Hawks will travel to Kardinia Park for the first time since 2006 in Round 2. All in all, the crowd restrictions could prove a boon to the Cats, who have a serious claim to play their home finals at GMHBA Stadium if the restrictions continue, according to Demons great Garry Lyon. Preliminary Final night at Kardinia Park - is that what the Cats need to finally go one step further in 2020?
Can the Gold Coast Suns justify their existence in 2020?
Amid the AFL's financial uncertainty, if any club was to feel the axe, it would have to be the Suns. But the AFL have never publicly wavered from their commitment to their Gold Coast experiment. Young guns like Jack Lukosius, Izak Rankine and Ben King will continue to be linked with moves back home, but a strong 2020 - on and off the field - could finally put concerns over the Suns' long-term viability on the backburner.
With stars returning, can the Giants remain injury-free?
With new captain Stephen Coniglio marking a successful return to action in Round 1, there is optimism the Giants will finally stave off the injury plagues that have curtailed their premiership assaults in recent years. Defenders Zac Williams and Adam Kennedy should be available for selection in Round 2, and Callan Ward might be too. Are the stars finally aligning for the Giants?
Are the Hawks really flag contenders?
Coach Alastair Clarkson has seemingly spurned any thought of a rebuild of a team that last won a final five years ago. With Brownlow Medallist Tom Mitchell and big recruit Chad Wingard looking to return to the peak of their powers in 2020, Clarkson couldn't really do it again, could he?
looks on during the round 14 AFL match between the Sydney Swans and the Hawthorn Hawks at the Sydney Cricket Ground on June 21, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Which year was the blip for the Demons - 2018 or 2019?
Which year was the true Demons - their barnstorming run to the Preliminary Final in 2018, or their admittedly injury-hit but still beyond listless showing last season? It's now or never for coach Simon Goodwin to prove he is the man to lead the Demons out of a decade (and then some) of pain.
Will to prove the right call for North Melbourne to re-sign Todd Goldstein and Shaun Higgins?
Buoyed by then-interm coach Rhyce Shaw's late-season turnaround of the Kangaroos' fortunes, the club re-signed star veterans Todd Goldstein and Shaun Higgins, who will both turn 32 this year. If the wins don't come, questions surely will over North's direction as a club. But whatever the case, Goldstein and Higgins should prove ideal mentors to their younger teammates.
ย Is it really a given that Hinkley will coach the Power in 2020?
"I'm extremely confident that Ken will be coaching next year." Those were the recent words of Port Adelaide chairman David Koch, who seemingly backtracked on the 'finals or bust' ultimatum that had long hung over Hinkley's future. But actions speak louder than words. If Port slides down the ladder this season, let's see if Hinkley's contract renewal remains a no-brainer.
Not even COVID-19 can derail the Tiger Train, right?
Not much thrown at the Richmond Tigers in recent years has stuck - they answered the news of star defender Alex Rance's devastating ACL injury by winning their second premiership in three years. But the COVID-19 restrictions mean that the Tigers won't be able to draw on the energy of the Tiger Army at the MCG for the foreseeable future. Will that prove significant or simply another hurdle that the Richmond juggernaut will leap over?
A new era for the Saints, or same old mediocrity?
The Saints went big in the trade period, going after and landing several big names. And with Brett Ratten now at the helm, there is serious optimism the Saints can emerge from a frustrating few years of little to no progress. But their Round 1 loss to the Kangaroos, where they surrendered a 29-point lead, exposed some familiar flaws. A new era, or another false dawn?
Is Buddy Franklin closer to the end of his career than the Swans thought?
After last Wednesday's news of a fresh injury to star forward Lance Franklin, the 33-year-old will reportedly be unavailable until at least August. If he hasn't already, is it time for coach John Longmire to seriously re-consider the near-to-long term structure of his forward line?
Tim Kelly makes the Eagles better, but how much better?
The addition of Tim Kelly hasn't made the Eagles one of the premiership favourites - they would have been so anyway. But it has bolstered a midfield that has already tasted the ultimate success. Someone, possibly a premiership player, will be squeezed out because of Kelly. Above all, the Eagles must ensure his fit is a seamless one - if they do, they'll surely be there when things get serious at the end of the season.
Was Round 1 an aberration for the Bulldogs or a sign of things to come?
The Western Bulldogs were demolished by the Pies in Round 1, recording just 34 points. After a super end to 2019's home-and-away season was somewhat dampened by their finals flogging at the hands of the Giants, the pressure is on coach Luke Beveridge to re-capture the brilliance of his club's stunning run to the 2016 flag. He'll be hoping Round 1 was a temporary setback and that, refreshed by the break, his troops will be ready to mount a serious finals charge in 2020.
