One down, 22 to go.

The first eight games of the 2021 AFL season didn't just provide us with our initial set of winners and losers, it raised another series of questions.

With each of the league's 18ย clubsย set to do battle again this weekend, we attempted to answer the major issues facing their playingย listsย andย coachesย alike.

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North Melbourne

How often can they reproduce that first quarter effort?

Before new recruit Orazio Fantasia plugged the Power in half-way through the second term, North Melbourne were well and truly conscious and ready to fight.

Although they entered their clash against last season's ladder leaders minus a quartet of thoroughly important names โ€“ Ben Cunnington, Jed Anderson, Robbie Tarrant and Luke McDonald โ€“ it was a trio of top ten picks that landed the Shinboners some important points in the stoush's opening stages.

Opening quarter goals to new recruit Tom Powell and the highly touted Luke Davies-Uniacke had the Roos ahead at the first bell and spirits high as they headed to their corner. Although an avalanche of Port goals would thunder down on them for the remainder of the afternoon, along with former Magpie Jaidyn Stephenson, the aforementioned pair combined for 72 disposals and six shots on goal.

Like the Crows, David Noble's team set their benchmark for future efforts within the first three quarters of an hour โ€“ something that Noble is almost certain to return their minds too when the scoreboard gets ugly through the year. Sadly, for the debutant coach and the smattering of North fans that trundled along to Marvel Stadium on Sunday, this is where the comparison ends.

With their ability to remain in the fight based entirely upon desire, the onus for how long and how often the Roos trade blows in 2021 is up to those with their names on the lockers at Arden Street.

After chopping a plethora of senior names from their list last season, the road ahead of Noble and North appears both unsealed and windy for the near future. However, with the youthful Kangaroos proving they can still fire a few fists before the judges make their decision, the doom, the gloom, and the towel tossing can wait for another week.

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