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.
Essendon
1-3
Hawthorn (H) - Win
Port Adelaide (A) - Loss
St. Kilda (H) - Loss
Sydney (A) - Loss
With the Hawks likely to be missing many big names in Round 1, we have given the points to the Dons in what we predict will be their only win in the season's first month.
Sorry, Bomber backers.
Essendon's next pair of games are against teams that could well finish in the top four in Port and the Saints, so expect back-to-back losses here.
Round 4 does provide Ben Rutten with another winnable game, but as it is away from home at a venue that has proven anything but a happy hunting ground for the Dons, we have tipped the Swans to take home the chocolates.
