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.

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Essendon

Is this their Grand Final?

For a rebuilding side that has produced the predictable mixture of highs and lows so far this season, the answer to the above question is yes.

With an average list age of just a tick under 24-years of age, nobody is expecting Essendon to contend for the flag this year โ€“ however, their fans will be hoping for progression.

So far this season, the Bombers have blooded 10 new names across 2021's first five weeks, and with seasoned talent like Joe Daniher, Adam Saad and Orazio Fantasia all departing in the same off-season, the club was always going to have to fast track this raft of imports and debutants.

So far, I haven't told you anything you don't already know, but that is the point, rebuilds are about perennially reminding yourself, and your fellow fans, why they are happening.

That and steering towards success, of course.

With a crowd of around 85,000 expected to fill the vast majority of the MCG this weekend, it will be the biggest crowd the Dons have played in front of since Anzac Day in 2019, and for their debutants, the largest ever.

With this in mind, Ben Rutten's message to his youthful side must be to embrace the difference of the day and to begin preparing for when packed houses and pre-game renditions of the national anthem eventually become the norm.

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