RESOLUTIONS, long days, barbeques, tennis, sunscreen, cricket and holidays. Yep, January had it all.
Even so, the football world continued to revolve. Fast. Two whole months before the season's start.
Players took bigger steps towards becoming lean, mean, fighting machines. Injuries were sustained both on and off field - some freakily, like Brad Ottens' shredded hand, Brent Renouf's burns, Daniel Hannebery's cheekbone and Tim Houlihan's lacerated foot.
There was a retirement when Hawthorn's Trent Croad bowed to the inevitable over his broken foot, which left the club to look at emerging backman Ryan Schoenmakers and Josh Gibson for permanent defensive roles.
Chairman of the match review panel Andrew McKay stepped down. And Fremantle's Luke McPharlin retired … as a forward.
On-field, Brisbane Lion Aaron Cornelius expressed a desire to join his side's forward line, young Kangaroo Jack Ziebell eyed a midfield role and premiership Lion Jamie Charman set his sights on a ruck spot after his first pre-season in six years.
In the NAB Cup, Melbourne could be without a proper ruckman but might give their young stars a run with Tom Scully lifting his load at training.
Port Adelaide's Dean Brogan will enter the competition as the side's only experienced big man, while the Bulldogs will showcase a young side altogether.
Essendon will reveal its new-look forward line, which is depleted after the retirement of new life member of the AFL Matthew Lloyd, and Geelong will unveil its new captain Cameron Ling and Port a revamped leadership team.
Adelaide will scratch for a team after a spate of injuries with Patrick Dangerfield (knee) and Jason Porplyzia (groin) joining an ahead-of-schedule Brodie Martin in the rehab group.
It hasn't stopped the Crows from aiming for a top-four finish - with the Kangaroos and Eagles equally optimistic regarding September plans.
January saw injury news aplenty. The good - Blues Jarrad Waite and Marc Murphy should play in round one, St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt is over a knee injury, and Kangaroos David Hale and Ziebell escaped serious damage.
The not so good - Geelong's Mitch Brown needed more surgery on a problematic leg, North's Ben Cunnington found a hot spot on his foot, Port Adelaide's Hamish Hartlett hurt a hamstring, and Richmond's Nathan Foley underwent an ankle operation.
At the Kennel, Nathan Eagleton joined Christian Howard (hip) in rehab with a knee problem, while Essendon's Michael Hurley and North's Michael Firrito got off lightly after suffering potentially serious complaints.
Port Adelaide's David Rodan is flying after his high-tech knee reconstruction, while the man who made the synthetic graft a realistic option, Nick Malceski, wants a big year.
The following players are "training the house down" after glowing appraisals from their clubs: Daniel Kerr, after an injury-hit two years; Robert Murphy, following a season of knee issues; Stephen Hill, after finding the weights; Joel Macdonald, as he settles into a new home, and the entire Swans team after their biggest pre-season in seven years that might see them challenge for the NAB Cup.
The Eagles concentrated at training, the Pies put Nathan Buckley to work, the Tigers were relieved when Damien Hardwick's true personality was revealed and young Lion Daniel Rich spoke of a deep motivation for a big year.
Greater Western Sydney coach Kevin Sheedy, who could yet be joined by Tom Harley in the coaching box, admitted to spying on GC17, which could poach experienced defenders next year.
However, the new franchise might not snare Joel Selwood or Gary Ablett, with the prized Geelong pair in contract talks with their club.
It wasn't all positive news at club level. Carlton suspended Eddie Betts, Ryan Houlihan and Andrew Walker for drunken behaviour, with the club lucky to escape sanction from the AFL.
Richmond's Troy Taylor was investigated over a New Year's Eve incident and Barry Hall copped a black eye at training.
Finally, the numbers game. In 2010, Daniel Bradshaw will wear Michael O'Loughlin's No.19 jumper; the No.25 jumper last worn by Brendan Fevola - who could debut for the Lions in the NAB Cup - will remain vacant at Carlton; the Swans made a loss of $752,428 in 2009 and the Demons signed Jack Trengove and Luke Tapscott for three years.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
