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.
Melbourne
3-1
Fremantle (H) โ Win
St. Kilda (A) - Win
GWS (A) - Win
Geelong (H) โ Loss
Melbourne's first month provides them with four challenging games and according to MatterOfStats' algorithm, it is set to remain that way.
If Simon Goodwin's legion of fallen angels is keen to see September action again this season, they will need to make a fast start.
Thankfully for you Demon diehards, we predict they will do just that.
Melbourne should prove too strong for the rising Dockers at home in Round 1 and should double the dosage against a St. Kilda side sans Brad Crouch and Rowan Marshall a week later.
A trip to the harbour city awaits the 2-0 Dees in Round 3, but with Max Gawn's opponent still yet to be determined, we have them flying home with four points.
Round 4 presents Melbourne with their toughest challenge โ a clash at home against the star-studded Cats. Lessons are likely to be learnt throughout the contest, but come the final siren we have the hoops ahead on the scoreboard.
