THE first four rounds of the AFL season has thrown up a few surprises.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Teams who have failed to make an impact on the season for so many years, have flicked the switch and started playing the footy we have been waiting to see.
Long-suffering Melbourne fans have something to smile about.
From the outset the Demons look like they have finally got it together.
They are working for each other and the results have spoken for themselves.
Two years ago they would have found a way to lose the match against Richmond.
But, instead they were able to win, giving their fans something to cheer about.
It is only early and they do have Fremantle, Sydney and Hawthorn over the next three weeks, but there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel.
Melbourne has found the next big thing in Jesse Hogan (pictured).
Melbourne has found the next big thing in Jesse Hogan.
The much hyped up player has taken the most contested marks of anyone in the league this year.
He looks certain to become a power forward and one of the most exciting players in the game.
The Western Bulldogs is another club that has got footy fans talking.
The Dogs seemed to be on the brink of collapse during the off-season, thanks to the departures of so many key figures, but they have had a dramatic transformation.
Luke Beveridge's men stunned Adelaide on Sunday night.
Not many would have picked the Dogs to upset the Crows, who have been one of the in-form teams of the competition.
Bendigo's Jake Stringer is just one of the Western Bulldogs' youngsters continuing to rise to the occasion this year.
He kicked a bag of six, but could of have eight if he kicked two set shots in the third term.
Stringer is an exciting player, but he isn't the only one bringing people through the gates.
Robert Murphy played one of the best games of his career at the weekend.
He is relishing his new role as captain and has found a new lease on life among these young pups.
It is exciting to watch.
Then you have Fremantle, Sydney, Port Adelaide and Hawthorn who have picked up from where they left off from last year.
They are the benchmark of the competition.
At the other end of ladder, there is Geelong and the Gold Coast.
The Cats have struggled and the Suns have yet to trouble any teams this season.
Both teams were slated in the pre-season as certainties to play finals, but after four rounds they find themselves in 16th and 17th positions.
Who would have thought we would be talking about the success of Melbourne and Western Bulldogs in the early parts of the season.
It is good to see teams who have long struggled finally show some fight and give their fans some hope.
It's good for footy.