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?
Western Bulldogs
Luke Beveridge's men were impressive across the pre-season as they attempted to rectify a poor outcome from 2023.
Being a thereabouts-side the past few years which included a grand final loss in 2021, a long hard look was needed to see which way the club would go.
However, what we've seen so far is the combination of Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Aaron Naughton up forward quickly becoming a lethal duo.
The pairing could see the Bulldogs be taken back to September action but also make some waves in doing so.
