...ever.

When you combine the anticipation of seeing our new recruits in action both mature and first year, the anticipation of seeing the progress that has been made by some of the established players with another Neeld pre-season under the belt, the anticipation of whether this is the year Colin Sylvia puts us out of our misery and shows his wares as a #3 pick (admittedly a yearly event), the anticipation of the roles of Dawes, Byrnes and Pederson in our new look forward structure, the anticipation of a fit and firing Aaron Davey whose possibly on the comeback trail, the anticipation of the return of Mitch Clark....the list goes on and the anticipation alone could do your head in.

But we have then combined all that with an unprecedented number of "scandals" that have occupied the footy press, not least of which has been one that has revolved entirely around our own club. Indeed the only thing that's been missing has been a scandal involving St Kilda, and that would likely be considered as lightweight compared to the current scandal that has struck at the heart of Essendon and swept the Australian sporting landscape.

As a footy tragic, the wait has tested the patience to its limits. As a Melbourne footy tragic, the wait has been damn near torturous.

Never before have I said this with as much gusto...but....bring on the NAB Cup!

Go you mighty Dees. A new season awaits.

Oddly enough, It has flown by for me. It dragged leading up to trade week, but once we knew what was happening I was happy and everything else has been a blur. I can't believe it's NAB time already. Looking forward to next week and our first hitout, even if it will be an understrength side.

It's been an eternity, mate. But today it felt like footy's back, as I started filling in my DreamTeam and realising all the Melb talent we've got to choose from. Jack Viney's a must-have in your DT. Can't wait...

Gone really quick for me....Feels like the GF was only a few weeks ago...But life just flies after 40....Be ready kiddies, aint nothing you can do!!!

can't wait... lets just hope it doesn't all come crashing down on the first night... Or the nab cup could drag out even more.... But i guess we should all have pretty thick skins by now

Damn, the dream is over.

I have just experienced 5 months without a loss.

I hope I don't get hit by a Reality Bus.

Damn, the dream is over.

I have just experienced 5 months without a loss.

I hope I don't get hit by a Reality Bus.

Very very good chippy

Just get behind the Rev

He can ward off everything

Feel like we haven't had any let up so in a way it's been too much talk. I want real footy now . AFL need to watch out for offseason overkill. It is a long season Vlad

BALLLLLLLLL...... YEEEAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Let the Demon wins begin!

The longest off-seasons will begin after this one.

Waiting to find out just how good Taylor's recruits are and how much of an immediate impact they will make.