If then
Walker is fit ...... you play him. But is he really fit? We're hearing not. We'd be resting him against GWS, ensure he's right for round two versus the Hawks.

If then
there's a man with a bigger assignment this weekend than Harris Andrews ...... it is the poor Power player who has to man-up on Buddy. Good luck on Tom Lynch, Harris.

If then
we were worried before the game against Richmond ...... we're more worried now. Can see some hope, but nothing immediate. Long season looming, again. And Bolton needs to do more than talk in cliches.

If then
you're so keen to believe a furphy, or gullible enough to believe a furphy, before relaying it to the public ...... the leadership is just not right. Where were the checks and balances from Bucks, and those around Bucks?

If then
there's one thing we admire ...... it is a team dreaming big. But we can't possibly buy-in to Zach Merrett's premiership musings. Can't even buy-in on finals hopes.

.

If then
before 2017, you had coached for nine AFL seasons and had won 143 matches, including 20 finals ...... we know you were playing dead last year. Ross The Boss doesn't do four-win seasons unless he chooses to.

Can Ross Lyon revitalise the Dockers after a horror 2016? Picture: AFL Photos

If then
you thought Bartel and Enright were the really big outs at the Cats ...... think again. Assistant coach Blake Caracella exited too. Tigers game-style already benefitting from his take-it-on approach.

If then
there's one player primed to take over the comp this year ...... it is Lynch. Hope he does.

If then
the industry-accepted pass mark for a season before it even starts is reaching a Grand Final ...... there is no wiggle room. Good luck with that!

If then
anyone thinks Clarko isn't targeting the 2017 premiership ...... they don't know Clarko. Don't for a minute believe the exiting of Mitchell and Lewis was Clarko setting up for the future. He's been consumed by the now since the pre-season of 2007.

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If then
Hogan manfully managed 85 goals in his first two seasons amid team and personal difficulties ...... we reckon he's set to bag 65, maybe 70, this year, now that things have settled.

Demons forward Jesse Hogan is primed for a huge year. Picture: AFL Photos

If then
you missed our report three weeks ago ...... we'll back over it here. Brad Scott's management had multiple conversations with at least one south-east Queensland club late last year about Scott's future, despite him already having a North Melbourne contract for 2017 and 2018. Wonder why.

If then
you were under siege in the trenches ...... would Ryder and Dixon be among the men you'd want alongside you? That is that duo's challenge this year. The fortunes of the Power and their coach will fully revolve around them.

If then
the Brownlow was won in a Winx-style margin last year by a squeaky clean midfielder ...... there's every chance it will be secured in a similar margin this year by another midfielder with a polar opposite reputation. Martin, a Brownlow placegetter last year, has already got three votes this year.

Dustin Martin was the star of the show against the Blues. Picture: AFL Photos 

If then
there was a prize in the off-season for Team Which Has Talked The Talk ...... the Saints won it. Nothing wrong with that. But it's like winning the Best Clubman trophy when all you covet is the best-and-fairest.

If then
Wingard and Walters have been our favourites of recent years ...... they're on notice. Callum Mills is closing really hard.

If then
the Eagles don't soon shut down the Mitchell hype ...... he'll be captain-coach by round six.

If then
you look back at the Grand Final ...... JJ remains a very worthy Norm Smith Medal recipient. Boyd would've been too. He cost a bomb, actually two bombs. Yet even if he never again touches a football for the Bulldogs, he was a bargain.

And by popular request ...

If then
your charter is to run the game ...... cease publicly sooking about the actions of curators at venues under your watch. Bottom line: AFL failed the Brisbane women's team. It deserved a whole lot better.

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Follow Damian Barrett on Twitter: @barrettdamian