Three teams in particular underperformed in Round 1 in the eyes of Nathan Buckley.
There were winners, losers and two sides who drew in a fascinating opening weekend of the 2023 season.
But there was a trio of losing teams who stood out as the most disappointing given what is expected of the sides in question.
Reigning premier Geelong lost to Collingwood by 22 points on Friday night, Preliminary Finalist Brisbane was smashed by Port Adelaide by 54 points on Saturday and the Western Bulldogs eventually went down to fellow 2022 finalist Melbourne by 50 points on Saturday night.
Buckley believes they now have a fair bit to play for in Round 2 following their subpar showings on the weekend.
“The three teams that have got a bit to ask themselves going into Round 2,” Buckley said on SEN Breakfast.
“I thought the Bulldogs, Brisbane and Geelong were the three most disappointing sides that were supposed to come into this year and dominate.
“They really struggled in Round 1.”
As is the beauty of the home and away season, all three teams get the chance to recoil next weekend.
The Cats meet Carlton at the MCG on Thursday night, the Lions host the Demons at the Gabba on Friday night and the Bulldogs play St Kilda at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night.
“Brisbane have got Melbourne up at the Gabba so you’re going to get everything from Brisbane to see how they can bounce back out of that,” Buckley added.
“Given the performances of a couple of the best sides in the competition, (the) Carlton and Geelong (game is big) and the other one is the Dogs against St Kilda.
“You’re going to get the best of the Western Bulldogs as well.
“It will take a little while to settle but there were sides that lowered their colours.”
Additionally, Buckley attempted to uncover what happened to Chris Scott’s flag-winning Cats who looked good early before being blown away by the Magpies.
“I think what you saw is what happens with a bit of a premiership hangover,” he said further.
“Maybe a bit of a later start to your pre-season, not quite as sharp. You don’t get it at the start of a game because you get the best out of everyone at the start but as the game wears on, then you get what is really underneath.
“Geelong look underprepared physically compare to where we last saw them. They were the most prepared, hungriest, fittest, most efficient team in the competition at the end of last year.
“But Collingwood were sharper and more physically prepared than Geelong. It was impressive.”
The rest of the Round 1 losers were West Coast (beaten by North Melbourne), Gold Coast (defeated by Sydney), Adelaide (lost to GWS), Hawthorn (comfortably beaten by Essendon) and Fremantle (downed by St Kilda) while Richmond and Carlton drew.