As the first month of fixtures drew to a close last Sunday evening, a belief morphed into empirical truth - 2021 is already rivalling last year in terms of unpredictability.

If you don't believe me, just take a look at the current ladder.

With the second month of the marathon season set to commence tonight, another set of questions remain ahead of both the men in the hot seat and their disciples in studded boots.

Whether flying high or having to continually dig deep for no reward, here are the latest set of quandaries facing each of the AFL's 18 teams.

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St. Kilda

Can they remain across their own line in the sand?

Following a week of media bashing, player led meetings and a promise to turn things around, the script looked shot at half-time last week, as the Saints were trailing by just shy of five goals.

However, just as St. Kilda fans were fearing the worst about their side's prospects in 2021, the wheel began to turn, as their pressure went through the roof.

Following Jack Petrucelle's fourth goal in the 17th minute of the third term, the Eagles would hit the scoreboard just once more (a Jarrod Brander behind) and the Saints would slam on eight unanswered goals.

The Moorabbin men's 53-point turnaround was more than just an exercise that earnt them four points and squared their season's ledger, it was a line in the sand after a dismal fortnight.

Following their 75-point drubbing by the Dons, many experts were willing to put a line through the Saints' season due to clashes with West Coast, Richmond and Port Adelaide awaiting them. Still, with this line in the sand drawn and their ability to bounce back swiftly from adversity shown, the pressure is now on Brett Ratten's men to remain on the lighter side of it.

Saturday evening proved the Saints were able to generate the requisite effort to beat a good side, but as it has now been established they can compete and win those types of contests, anything less than what was produced in the last hour of last week will be seen as insufficient.

Last week, I stated that Carlton needed to channel English electronic duo The Chemical Brothers and โ€˜do it again'. Despite their tough fortnight ahead, the same challenge is now at the feet of the Saints.

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