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.
Western Bulldogs
4-0
Collingwood (A) โ Win
West Coast (H) - Win
North Melbourne (A) - Win
Brisbane (H) - Win
Much has been made of the Western Bulldog's off-season. Key players were retained, Stars were added and the best kid in the Draft became theirs via the NGA.
What has not been mentioned as widely is that despite making the eight-last year, the Dogs have been handed a dream draw on paper.
Although the first month of the season does not provide evidence of this, we still have Luke Beveridge's boys sitting beside the Cats atop the ladder half way through April.
The Bulldogs' Round 1 clash is set to draw an audience, with many punters keen to see what Collingwood has in store for Adam Treloar. Despite the fact that this will be billed as the main narrative over the game itself, we feel that the new Dog's old tricks should help the Sons of the 'Scray to victory.
Further clashes in Melbourne against West Coast and North Melbourne should yield wins, as will their trip to Ballarat to face fellow finals contenders Brisbane in Round 4.
0-4 Teams
Adelaide
GWS
Hawthorn
1-3 Teams
Essendon
North Melbourne
2-2 Teams
Brisbane
Carlton
Collingwood
Fremantle
Gold Coast
Sydney
West Coast
3-1 Teams
Melbourne
Port Adelaide
Richmond
St. Kilda
4-0 Teams
Geelong
Western Bulldogs