Because the climate cools and rain clouds collect overhead, a few of us might mourn the tip of lengthy summer season days spent on the seashore or sprawled out on the sofa watching the cricket.
However as we pack away the seashore towels and pads and stumps, there is a shiny spot within the gloom.
Soccer is again. It has been an extended six months with out AFL on our screens and in stadiums.
And whereas we’re at all times thrilled to see the return of our homegrown sport, it looks like this season has gamers and followers extra excited than ever.
All over the place you flip, there’s one more reason to get fired up; one other headline, one other prospect.
One of many AFL’s most profitable and progressive coaches is again within the fold, taking over what may very well be his best problem but.
The duty of reworking wood spooners North Melbourne into a real finals contender is a activity that will be past most mortals, but when anybody could make it a chance, it is four-time premiership winner Alastair Clarkson.
Ross Lyon is one other making his return to the teaching field. He’ll be again on the membership he left for Fremantle in 2011 when he returns to St Kilda, hoping to steer them again into finals footy.
Nearer to house, there’s the sensation that the Eagles may lastly return to their successful methods after a dismal 2022.
Coach Adam Simpson says it is “the daybreak of a brand new period” on the membership, which is set to claw its means up the ladder this season.
It will likely be an inexperienced aspect, together with youngsters Campbell Chesser, Noah Lengthy and Reuben Ginbey which is able to tackle the Kangaroos at Marvel Stadium for his or her opening spherical match on Saturday, however Simpson says alternative is looking.
There’s even the prospect of welcoming again Nic Naitanui into the aspect in coming weeks.
And naturally there’s the good hope that the Dockers can proceed to construct on their breakout season in 2022 to cement themselves as a membership which deserves to be counted among the many finest.
They stroll into this season a special membership — now not are the specialists or their opponents blind to their potential.
After three injury-plagued seasons, twin Brownlow medalist Nat Fyfe has accomplished a brave rebuild to return to health. Though he might have stepped down as skipper, he may very well be the inspiration the Dockers have to lastly make their Flagmantle desires a actuality.
Off the sphere, there’s the large query of who will take over as AFL boss when Gillon McLachlan steps down in spherical 5, in addition to whether or not the league can be expanded to permit Tasmanians to lastly have a workforce of their very own.
There’s loads of motion to come back this season, and The West’s workforce of specialists can be there each step of the way in which to interrupt all of it down for you.
Our columnist workforce listing has additionally added some new recruits, together with West coast legend Peter Sumich, ex-Eagle Hamish Brawshaw, Seven Community’s Anna Hay and The Snitch, an nameless supply deep inside the sport who will deliver you all the things the golf equipment don’t need you to know.
Strap in, it is going to be a large season.
