Last week's scratch matches whet our appetites and this weekend's AAMI Community Series hitouts will hopefully tide us over.
However, nothing can compare to the footy when four points are up for grabs.
Even for last year's wooden spooners, a new season allows for hope to spring eternal. Fresh names on the list pique even casual fan's interest and hyped draftees allow us to daydream about the future.
Nevertheless, reality can hit like a tonne of bricks when your side is 0-4 after four weeks.
Whether your team is rebuilding, resurging or the reigning premier, we here at Zero Hanger have scoured the fixture list and have made our predictions for all 18 team's records after the season's first month.
Who have we overrated and who have we slept on? Be sure to let us know.
Hawthorn
0-4
Essendon (A) - Loss
Richmond (H) - Loss
Geelong (A) - Loss
Fremantle (A) โ Loss
Hit by injuries and departures so far this off-season, sadly for Hawks fans, we have you starting slow and staying there.
As mentioned, Essendon should be able to cover the Hawks at Marvel Stadium in Round 1, despite all of the disdain they have drawn this summer.
Put the house of Richmond romping the hapless Hawks in Round 2 and expect fellow 2020 Grand Finalists Geelong to repeat the dosage a week later.
The Hawks' percentage could resemble a tail ender's batting average after a month, as we anticipate the Dockers dismantling Alastair Clarkson's cast of Hawks in Round 4.
