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.
Sydney
2-2
Brisbane (A) - Loss
Adelaide (H) - Win
Richmond (A) - Loss
Essendon (H) โ Win
Of all the teams expected to just make up the numbers in 2021, we have the Sydney Swansย leading the pack and just trailing the peloton.
Still rebuilding, expect inconsistency across the first month, with a trend of โlose one, win the next' to become their narrative.
Away at the Gabba against a barnstorming Brisbane side should yield a first up loss, but against the Crows in Sydney a week later, expect the ledger to be squared.
You would give a snowflake in Hades a better chance of succeeding than the Swans against Richmond at the MCG in Round 3. However, back in the harbour city a week later, we feel that Longmire's men should have Essendon's measure.
