As we reach the halfway point of the season, it is a great time to reassess where teams are at and where they may be headed.
There are a number of clubs whose seasons are either over already or are going far better than expected.
So, the midway point of the season is a great chance for clubs to adjust their expectations accordingly.
We take a look at what your club should be looking to get out of the remainder of the 2021 season.
Don't fade away
The Crows have been superb this season given the low expectations they had going in to 2021. They have shocked plenty. But now they need to resist the urge to drop away.
A young team may get tired and drop off, but they have won so many admirers because of how hard they play and they are building a very recognisable and respectable brand.
Premiership success
The Lions have come good after a shaky start to the season, however, where would they be had Zac Bailey not kicked that goal after the siren against Collingwood?
They are right in the premiership picture again and still have levels to go. They have been rather disappointing in the last two finals series, so they will need to be ready to go all the way now.
Find out if the kids are good enough
The Blues' season is already over, and it's another failed year for Carlton who have been building for a long time and claimed to be ready to play finals.
Players like Paddy Dow, Lochie O'Brien and Sam Petrevski-Seton have been in and out of the team leaving the Blues to rely on older hands. Carlton need to find out if these kids are good enough now.
Be patient with the kids
Collingwood have turned to youth this year and have found some gems. However, they need to be patient, as the performances of youthful names tend to ebb and flow.
Fatigue will hit their young bodies and Collingwood may see some ugly losses before the end of the year, but they need to be patient and let the kids grow.
Remember it's a long build
The Bombers have been mighty impressive so far in 2021 and have performances far greater than most could have expected. There's even talk of them playing finals, however, that won't happen.
The Bombers need to remember they are in this for the long haul and that it still may go backwards before it properly goes forward. Wins are fun, but Bombers fans shouldn't be too disheartened by losses. It's all about growth and development.
Survive
Injuries have been the story of the season so far for the Dockers and it keeps getting worse. At the moment, finals look just about gone, with everyone that is out injured now afforded plenty of time to get right for next season.
Still, anymore major injuries could see pre-season time eaten into and that is the last thing this Freo team needs. They deserve a run at it.
Get that flag before it's too late
The Cats have once again gone all in on a premiership, and fair enough too, but if they don't get it now, then they may never get another chance with this group.
They have showed flashes of brilliance this season, but have also been well off the best at times. Their brand is questionable, but they still have Dangerfield to return and are in a good spot to challenge again.
Finals
The Giants were widely tipped to miss the eight and fall away this season, but they have found a way to change their game style and grind out wins. All of a sudden they are a finals contender.
They will be looking to make the eight now and there is no reason they can't challenge those above them and be right in the mix.
Show improvement
The Suns have been looming as a big improver for some time now, but again find themselves going no where. They need to show their fans and young stars that the club is on the right path.
There's no grace in this team finishing bottom four but being competitive. They simply must start winning games.
Get through
Much like the start of the season, the Hawks won't be expecting a whole lot from the back half of 2021. They have been ok in patches and shown an ability to compete, but have at times been rendered uncompetitive.
That will happen with a rebuilding side. Maybe just avoid the wooden spoon and head to the draft and the year is about on par.
Break the drought
The longest premiership drought in football is in real danger of breaking.
The Demons are the league's best team at the moment and are showing all the credentials of a premiership team.
They need to strike while the iron is hot. They have been lucky with injuries and have beaten fellow contenders, they're genuine.
Be competitive
Wins and losses are not what it's about for the Kangaroos this year. They are all about getting games into kids and getting the best draft pick available.
They have been ok this year, but they have lost too many games in unflattering circumstances. The fans just need to see enough reason and hope to believe the pain will end soon.
Secure a home qualifying final
Port look a good team yet they have failed a few tests when on the road. Losses to Brisbane and West Coast away were damning and a loss to the Bulldogs at home didn't help.
They did beat Richmond at home though and that will be more than enough reason for them to battle to make sure they play their finals at Adelaide Oval. It's their best and perhaps only chance at a Grand Final spot.
Lock away a finals spot
Top four may just be about gone. Still, for a side as dominant as the Tigers have been, they just need to be there in September and they're in the race.
As long as they make sure they are in finals football they will be a premiership hope. Dustin Martin knows how to flick the switch in September and they don't need a double chance. They know what it takes.
Get games into the kids
It's been a disaster for the Saints and there are real questions over their recruiting over recent years. They turned their back on the draft and opted to bring in experienced players and it hasn't worked.
They need to get games into the likes of Tom Highmore, Jack Bytel and Ryan Byrnes. They can't rely solely on experienced recruits to drive the club forward.
Finish strong and play finals
Nobody expected the Swans to be in the position they are now.
They are a genuine finals contender and aren't out of the race for a top four spot.
Now they need to make sure they don't drop away and they need to secure that spot in September. Doing that will solidify their rapid improvement and could make them a destination club.
Sure up interstate form
Injuries have been cruel to the Eagles, but their form away from Optus Stadium has done little to help their season. They have been two different teams and it can't continue.
If they can win away from Perth, their season opens up and they could be anything, but if they don't, they may miss the eight all together.
Challenge for the ultimate prize
The Bulldogs are arguably better prepared to win a premiership now than in 2016, as they have all the tools and look like a team capable of ripping any side apart.
There are no excuses and anything short of a legitimate premiership push would be a failure after their terrific start to the season.