The AFL's pre-season always has plenty of intrigue as excitement builds towards a new season.
Which players are returning? Who's lighting up the track? Is there an early favourite for the premiership? Or the Brownlow?
But on the flip side, injuries and suspensions have plagued summer clashes, which in some cases, have put sides on the back foot before the new campaign begins.
From career-altering injuries to heavy hits and a slithery snake, we assess some of the biggest practice match disasters over the years.
10Maynard mania as star Pie rubbed out
Collingwood's Brayden Maynard had a delayed start to 2022 after a pre-season strike on GWS' Daniel Lloyd left him in hot water.
Maynard missed the Pies' season opener against St Kilda as well as the meeting with Adelaide, which begun the new era under Craig McRae.
The uncompromising defender was suspended for two matches, with the incident against Lloyd graded as careless, high impact and high contact by the MRO.
Brayden Maynard is in the book after this incident with Daniel Lloyd.#AAMISeries pic.twitter.com/RlcnyFGO23
— AFL (@AFL) March 6, 2022
Collingwood did challenge the suspension but failed to overturn the result.
The Giant was ruled out for the remainder of the game.
