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?
Essendon
One of the more active players in the most recent trade period, coach Brad Scott has some big decisions to make.
Luring Todd Goldstein and Ben McKay from North Melbourne, as well as Xavier Duursma (Port Adelaide) and Jade Gresham (St Kilda), the Bombers seem poised to make a genuine push towards finals. Or so they believe.
Whilst a focus on defence has been at the forefront of their mind, Scott has his side playing with a bit more dare, something that has lacked for the majority of the past few years.
As seen against Geelong, Essendon were able to cut the Cats up through the use of short, sharp kicking skills in between the arcs.
Although the Bombers like to share it around, the pre-season showed their intent to move forward more often.
