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?
Carlton
The Blues fans have been flagged as genuine premiership fancies following an extraordinary run that led them back to finals for the first time in over a decade.
Orazio Fantasia (Port Adelaide) looks poised to don his third set of colours to add more chaos to the current line-up, consisting of Jesse Motlop, Matthew Cottrell and David Cunningham.
After a preliminary final in 2023, Carlton will look at adding further strength to their backline and hope Zac Williams will be another string to their bow.
Michael Voss' team are primed for a full-out attack at their 17th premiership and many pundits believe they are perfectly placed to do so.
