With the first month of the AFL season drawing to a close, narratives for all of the competition's 18 teams have begun to arise.

Whilst some are struggling and others are thriving, you can bet your bottom dollar that each of the league's list of polo shirt wearing pedagogues will still be desperate for improvement this weekend.

With this in mind, here are the key quandaries facing every AFL club ahead of Round 4.

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Richmond

Was Saturday afternoon a slip up or something more sinister?

Unless you are Floyd โ€˜Money' Mayweather, every champion has hit the canvas and missed the bell at least once.

Although Richmond were fighting in front of a friendly crowd and against an opponent many backed them to floor, the judges had them behind the count well before the final bell.

Despite the Tigers' roaring success in recent years, Saturday afternoon provided the perfect reminder for Damien Hardwick, his players and Richmond's myriad of fanatics that although they are the competition's benchmark, they were not born to rule.

Still, with that being said, the Punt Roaders have proven time and again that they are adept students of minor adversity, as they have not lost to the same team twice in a season since 2016.

With a five-week stretch ahead that includes games against Port Adelaide, St. Kilda, Melbourne, the Western Bulldogs and Geelong, Hardwick's men will have their work cut out for them.

However, with the Tigers continually starting seasons slow and finishing them strongly, there is a reason why they are still the bookies' favourite to take out the flag.

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