With the 2024 AFL pre-season all done and dusted, all eyes turn to Opening Round.
Despite the summer games meaning close to nothing, it allows clubs and fans to establish where they stand heading into the new year.
Young draftees were unveiled in their quest to forge an AFL career, and a host of familiar names were seen in fresh colours.
St Kilda and Brisbane were the strongest performers during February and March, with the latter hoping to rectify their heartbreaking four-point loss to Collingwood in the Grand Final.
The reigning premiers flexed their muscles in the inaugural Charity Shield match against Richmond while West Coast battled, which is to be expected.
But what else can be taken from the 2024 pre-season?
Who impressed? Who disappointed? Has any club changed their potential over the past few weeks?
Sydney
Starting the year without the experienced trio Callum Mills, Luke Parker and Taylor Adams has many implications.
One of them is a heavier reliance on their young guns, the next wave coming through.
Chad Warner, James Rowbottom and Errol Gulden are set for the jump into stardom (if they haven't already) while prized recruit Brodie Grundy will likely feed the footy to them all day.
But what we've come to know and love about the 'Bloods' is their contest ability, which has been their DNA for the better part of two decades.
Expect to see it again.
