It will have been 174 days since the final siren of the 2018 Grand Final by the time the ball is bounced on Thursday night. It's been a loooooong off-season, but AFL 2019 is finally just about upon us.
Here's what to watch for in Round 1.
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Will Gary Ablett really play forward? And will he be any good?
Geelong's Friday night's opening-round blockbuster against Collingwood will be fascinating on multiple levels, none the least Gary Ablett's impact (or otherwise) in and around the Cats' forward 50.
Over the offseason, Geelong coach Chris Scott and Ablett agreed the best way forward for both the individual and team was for Ablett to play the majority of 2019 creating havoc in attack.
"I sat down with Scotty in the off-season and we spoke about where I would be the best fit for the team and how I can help the team win games," Ablett said. "We decided that would be forward."
But will the change in roles last, and will it work?
Ablett, who turns 35 in May, averages 1.3 goals per game, with his most productive season in front of the big sticks his 44-goal effort in 2010 -- an extraordinary performance from a primary midfielder.
There's no doubting Ablett's nous around goal and creative ability, but modern footy demands more than just goals from forwards -- just ask Ablett's former teammate Daniel Menzel, whose lack of forward pressure meant Geelong were happy for him to walk to Sydney despite his ability to hit the scoreboard.
The recruitments of Luke Dahlhaus and Gary Rohan should boost the Cats' forward half pressure, but Ablett must prove he can stay involved in the play when he doesn't have the ball, with his chasing, tackling and harassing just as important as his goals and assists.
As gifted as Ablett is, the question remains: will he be any good as a permanent small forward? And if he struggles to influence games -- or if Geelong struggle through the midfield -- how long before Scott pushes the Little Master back into the centre square?
Just how good are these young Lions?
Ask anyone who they believe will be the greatest riser in season 2019 and you're likely to hear 'Brisbane' shouted back at you.
The Lions are a young side with enormous potential, and there were glimpses last year -- particularly in their two wins over eventual top four side Hawthorn -- that suggested they are starting to mature as a group and could soon push for a finals berth.
Ex-Fremantle ball-magnet Lachie Neale was a huge signing in the off-season, but the loss of Dayne Beams, who returned to Collingwood, somewhat evens the ledger. But then there's the mercurial Eric Hipwood who looks ready to take the leap into the elite category.
Take what you will out of pre-season, but Chris Fagan's side won both its games. First they demolished the Hawks, again, before downing the Demons in a tight one. Lucky for us we won't have to wait long until their first real in-season test as they face reigning premier West Coast first up at the Gabba.
Make no mistake, this is a game the Lions can win. If there's ever a time to play the premier it's in Round 1, especially at home. Watch for them to run and run and run, all day. It was a hallmark of their game last year and something that could just catch the Eagles off guard in their opener.
No matter the result, we will learn a lot about these young Lions by the time the final siren sounds in Brisbane.
Vital head start on offer for Bombers, Giants
You can just imagine the smirks shared between the boffins in the boardroom when the fixture was created. It was too perfect -- sending new Bomber Dylan Shiel back to Sydney's west to face his former teammates in Round 1.
The trade could be a stroke of genius for Shiel and the Bombers, as many believe John Worsfold's men are due to break their incredible finals win drought of more than 5,300 days. But it's one which could also backfire on the classy mid; the Giants are perennially topping up with elite young talent and will no doubt be thereabouts come September again.
This opening round clash is an intriguing one for Essendon, who will be without bookends Cale Hooker and Joe Daniher who are both out for at least a month with calf injuries. A slow start in 2019 will have the wolves circling, as expectations are as high as they've been in the Worsfold era.
The Giants, too, have something to prove. With all the talk about the Bombers, Collingwood, Melbourne and Adelaide's preseason resurgence, many have neglected to pay respects to Leon Cameron's outfit, which has won a final in each of its last three seasons.
Both of these sides will be fighting for a spot in the eight come the end of the season, and getting a head start early in the year could be vital come the home stretch. Welcome back, AFL.