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?
Gold Coast
The Suns are keen to see what landing the 'big fish' does to their club: Damien Hardwick.
The former Richmond premiership coach made the move up north in a boost to take this club to the finals for the first time in their history.
Captain Touk Miller said to the Sun's media, that the introduction of Hardwick to the organisation has been "fantastic" in righting the ship.
โHe's been fantastic. For us, what's been the biggest piece for the club is his ability to implement a system," Miller said.
โHe's been unreal, we haven't lost sight of what we are and that's a strong running team. We're highly engaged in being coachable and I think we've done that really well.
โHe works on a lot of people's strengths. Obviously, he's been there and done it before and I have a lot of trust in what he's delivering and doing.โ
And what we can glean from that is, like the Tigers during their premiership years, the Suns will attempt to play a fast, chaotic brand of football, showcased throughout their pre-season outings.
