Another week and another set of winners and losers.
Although the road to the last Saturday in September has narrowed ever so slightly, each of the competition's 18 teams still hold their destinies in their own hands.
Whether your side is undefeated, breaking even or without a win to start 2021, there are questions, both new and historic, that must be answered to secure a win this long weekend.
Brisbane
How do they tackle their early adversity?
The Brisbane Lions were inarguably one of the biggest benefactors from the interrupted and altered 2020 season, that saw a vast majority of contests played out in their backyard.
With the shoe now on the other foot and Chris Fagan's pride now parked within Victoria's parameters, it is up to the coach and his cubs in how they react to this sudden off-field adversity.
At 0-2 after a fortnight, the news is not much better for Brisbane within the chalked boundary lines, but an optimist would suggest that this extended road trip provides them with the perfect opportunity to get things back on track. However, a cynic would claim that with the very real prospect the northerners could return to the sunshine state with an 0-4 record, these early cracks could cease creeping and begin propagating at an alarming speed instead.
On paper and in record, Brisbane's list is far too talented to be winless after the season's first month, so the 2019 AFLCA Coach of the Year must use this time to positively rather than getting bogged like a sedan in the old Waverley carpark.
Good teams win when their backs are against the wall, and although it is only early April, the Lions' next two clashes against Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs are a massive litmus test of their quality, both with the ball and between the ears.
The AFL has confirmed our Round Three match will be played at Marvel stadium. Time to get to work ๐
— Brisbane Lions (@brisbanelions) March 29, 2021
Should a passing grade fail to be obtained, Brisbane's dream end of four straight home games to finish the season will have lost some of its luster already.
I'll admit I am an alarmist here, but we saw hubs have an adverse effect on several quality outfits just last year.
