As both the players and their coaches continue their strides in season 2021, distinctive groups have broken out throughout the race.
Some, like the Bulldogs and Demons, have dashed from the starter's gun, with the desire to create lightyears between themselves and the pack.
Sadly for others, they are barely attached to the peloton anymore.
Whether first, second, third or 18th along the road to the last Saturday in September, every side and their side coaching team still have question marks over their head.
Sydney
Can a marathon be sprinted?
Like another of the competition's surprise packets, the Adelaide Crows, Sydney have shocked punters and pundits this season by compiling a 4-1 record and currently sitting on the ladder's third rung.
However, like the Crows, is the Swans early pace sustainable?
A clash this weekend against the less than sizzling Suns should net John Longmire's side their fifth win for the year, but with Geelong and Melbourne as the next stops on their sprint, could it all unravel in the space of a fortnight?
Preparing for the Suns #Bloods
๐ธ @philthy295 pic.twitter.com/fUNQ7aZQG8
— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) April 22, 2021
Although these upcoming clashes provide the Cygnets with a perfect litmus test, the Moore Park club are set to face just three more teams currently in the eight before the home and away marathon comes to an end.
It is almost certainly why Stats Insider give the Bloods a 73.7% chance of taking part in theย September action his year.
If Forrest Gump taught us anything, it is that "shit happens" when you are out running. So, even though the Swans are likely to take their foot off the accelerator, drop games and have us scratching our heads at times, their early pace will only stand them in good stead when the lactic acid kicks in.