With the โhit and giggle' matches and the arduous pre-season training regimes now behind each team, fans, coaches, and players alike have set their sights on the real deal โ Round 1.
For some clubs, the pre-season period could not have panned out better, whilst the unlucky remainder will be counting the cost of their campaigns.
Although there were a myriad of positives to be taken from the summer months, all teams will be striving to improve on their practice match form and learn from the lessons dealt out across them.
With the first bounce of the Sherrin just over a week away, we raise the big question that face each of the AFL's 18 clubs.
Hawthorn
How many kids does Clarkson blood?
Right across the pre-season, Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson has made it clear that his team will look different in 2021.
With the club using a top 10 Draft pick for the first time since 2006, it appears that the Hawks look set to embrace youth this season.
Clarkson deployed a quartet of Hawks that are yet to debut for his side's 39-point win over North Melbourne at Arden Street.
Of the four, three can just about lay claim to a starting spot when the Hawks face the Bombers in Round one.
With nine goals between them, Jacob Koschitzke and Tyler Brockman were incredible inside 50 and would be rigor mortis stiff to miss out on an early debut. Further up the ground Connor Downie once again put his best foot forward for a berth on the wing, however, fellow recruit Lachie Bramble was quiet in the middle of the ground.
That's now FIVE goals for Jacob Koschitzke ๐ญ
Could Kozzie be in-line for a Round One berth? #AAMISereis pic.twitter.com/RKi0cD2yA0
— AFL (@AFL) March 6, 2021
Clarkson is notorious for playing both minds games and his cards close to his chest, but it would be amazing if more than one of the listed names missed out come Round one.