With the 2024 AFL pre-season all done and dusted, all eyes turn to Opening Round.
Despite the summer games meaning close to nothing, it allows clubs and fans to establish where they stand heading into the new year.
Young draftees were unveiled in their quest to forge an AFL career, and a host of familiar names were seen in fresh colours.
St Kilda and Brisbane were the strongest performers during February and March, with the latter hoping to rectify their heartbreaking four-point loss to Collingwood in the Grand Final.
The reigning premiers flexed their muscles in the inaugural Charity Shield match against Richmond while West Coast battled, which is to be expected.
But what else can be taken from the 2024 pre-season?
Who impressed? Who disappointed? Has any club changed their potential over the past few weeks?
Brisbane
Not much needs to be said for the Lions, given the club is well and truly in their premiership window.
But the shattering four-point Grand Final loss to Collingwood can either galvanise a group or fracture it.
Despite coming so close to the ultimate glory, Chris Fagan's men must look at innovative ways to improve to find that edge over opponents.
In December, former captain Dayne Zorko said onย SEN that the club wasn't prepared enough for "the tricks" the Pies threw at them, admitting they lacked a few of their own.
โI think we're just probably missing a couple more tricks,โ Zorko said onย SENQ Breakfast.
โIt is something that we, as players, identified and the coaching group identified that we could do throughout games that the opposition team hasn't necessarily seen."
Starting with defender-turned-forward Darcy Gardiner, who throughout the summer has been trialled as a third tall in the attacking half.
The departure of Jack Gunston has opened a spot in Brisbane's forward line, while free-agent recruit Tom Doedee will eventually fill Gardiner's role down back once returns from his ACL injury.
