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?
GWS Giants
With all things remaining equal, the Giants will come into the 2024 season relatively unchanged in terms of personnel.
Quieter than previous years during the trade period, GWS will look internally for improvement after coming so close to a second grand final berth.
With some of their stars staking claims as the next wave to take over the competition, one of those is none other than former number-one pick Aaron Cadman.
Fallen behind a forward mix of Jesse Hogan, Jake Riccardi and Callum Brown, Cadman has done himself no harm for senior selection in what he's done in the past fortnight.
The 19-year-old slotted four goals against cross-town rivals Sydney and produced some highlights against the Suns in their final tune-up ahead of season 2024.
