AFL action returns this week as the first wave of pre-season matches - including an Indigenous All Stars clash - prepare to offer some insight into what fans can expect for the year ahead.
A total of 18 games - made up of differing practice sessions and Community Series fixtures - will run from February 15 to March 2, taking us to just four days out from the home and away season's opener.
To conclude another summer of expectations, training notes, selection calls and coaching strategies, the coming weeks will hope to uncover some positives for each club.
Here we assess and name what fans from each faithful will be hoping to see from their AFL team this pre-season.
11. Melbourne
An efficient forward third
The forward line has been an issue for Simon Goodwin since the club's 2021 premiership, with the Demons struggling to discover their best mix of talls and smalls.
The key position crop has been the larger frustration, with Goodwin trailing a number of targets in attack over the past two seasons without finding the answer they're searching for.
Jacob van Rooyen will surely spearhead Melbourne's front third, but who supports him is up in the air. Daniel Turner has shown good signs in a short time, but the impact uncapped tall Matt Jefferson can have remains a mystery.
With Harry Petty slotting back into defence, a spot is open up forward and it could be one of Jefferson or mature-aged draftee Aidan Johnson to help get the forward line clicking.
Pre-Season Opponents:Â North Melbourne, Fremantle
