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.
St. Kilda
3-1
GWS (A) - Win
Melbourne (H) - Loss
Essendon (A) - Win
West Coast (H) โ Win
In the view of both MatterOfStats and the naked eye, St. Kilda's 2021 fixture is tougher than a severely charred steak.
However, for Brett Ratten's boys, if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best.
Despite currently sitting as the outsider with the bookies for their Round 1 clash against GWS, we have the Saints besting the depleted Giants.
As the Moorabbin men are likely to be missing both their number one ruck and prized midfield recruit for Round 2, Melbourne's engine room should propel them to a win at Marvel Stadium.
The Saints clash against the rebuilding Dons in Round 3 should allow them to find their second win, before their third lot of four points is claimed against the Eagles a week later.