Although the sight of yellow and black may have worn a little thin for supporters of opposition clubs, there has been a silver lining to the celebrations: every club's fans now have genuine hope that this year IS their year.

With football looming on the horizon as teams return to training next week and the new year dawning, it's time to consider the big questions that will debated and eventually answered in 2018.

1. Where will Dusty sit among the greats if he repeats 2017?

No player had ever won a Brownlow, Norm Smith and premiership medal in the one season until Richmond's Dustin Martin pulled off football's triple crown last September. He was unstoppable as opponents could not tackle him (until he dropped his guard late in the grand final and was caught holding the ball), which allowed him to be damaging with hand and foot. With at least seven years ahead of him at Richmond (and on a streak of 72 consecutive games), he now starts the chase to join Kevin Bartlett, Francis Bourke and Jack Dyer as one of the Tigers' greatest. Hungry, Saint Francis, Captain Blood and Dusty has a nice ring to it.

2. Will Tom Lynch's future be at the Gold Coast beyond 2018?

The Suns co-captain and star forward is the free agency discussion of 2018. Already the player has said he is in no rush and his management, in an unusual move, declared the decision was likely to be results-driven. The offers from Victorian clubs will be huge so the Suns - even with salary cap space and ambassadorial roles to dangle - have a tough job ahead convincing the impressive 25-year-old to stick with them.

3. Gold or fool's gold for Port Adelaide?

Port Adelaide landed Tom Rockliff, Steven Motlop, Jack Watts, Trent McKenzie and Jack Trengove in a shopping frenzy at trade time that saw the club also offload several fringe players with senior experience. The five additions are an eclectic bunch, talented individuals with points to prove. The sugar rush strategy is brave from Hinkley as failure will inevitably - whether justified or not - be linked back to decisions during the trade period.

The Bombers' new recruits, headlined by Jake Stringer, will be large talking points this year. Photo: AAP

4. There is more pressure on Jake Stringer than the Bulldogs after his trade

Premiership coach Luke Beveridge made a statement about what he stood for as a coach when he traded the talented Jake Stringer. What Beveridge knows is systems rather than individual performances win games more often than not. But Stringer was the Bulldogs' leading goalkicker for the past three seasons so he will be a bonus for Essendon if he can get his act together.

5. Time will tell whether Gary Ablett is a crowd pleaser or a game changer

The 33-year-old champion will be determined to prove his worth after he showed in his 14 games in 2017 he remained an elite midfielder. A Grand Final appearance would stamp his return a success for all time. There is only his reputation at risk if he fails.

How will Gary Ablett fare in 2018? Photo: AAP

6. Carlton, Collingwood, Melbourne and St Kilda's finals fight is a game within a game

The four clubs do not have a finals appearance between them in the past four seasons and the ramifications for another down-the-ladder appearance could be huge. The Blues, who have not topped 100 points for 33 consecutive games, need to strike the balance between attack and defence, but finals are a must for the other three teams.

7. Snakes or Ladders for Hawthorn?

Will Tom Mitchell, Jaeger O'Meara, Ryan Burton and James Sicily launch the club into a new era alongside the returning Cyril Rioli, James Frawley, Ben Stratton and Grant Birchall? Luke Hodge's loss will hurt as the Hawks recognise the need to win contested ball with pressure making clean disposal hard. And Jeff Kennett's resumption as president? Hold your hats.

8. The Tigers have put second tall forwards out of a job

Richmond had 18 forward tackles to Adelaide's eight in the Grand Final and led the competition in that area all season. Selection inside 50 will depend on mobility and ability to apply pressure as much as aerial power for anyone with claims as a second tall forward as Josh Jenkins, Taylor Walker, Patrick McCartin, Ben Griffiths, Levi Casboult, Josh Schache, James Stewart, Dan Menzel and Sam Weideman know.

9. Will Adelaide's sudden departures leave holes that sink them?

Brodie Smith's absence for 2018 due to a knee injury adds to the disruption Jake Lever and Charlie Cameron's departures will cause. Bryce Gibbs improves the midfield but pressure increases on Alex Keath, Wayne Milera, Jake Kelly, Hugh Greenwood, Tom Doedee and Jordan Galluci to step up.

How will Adelaide's loss of personnel impact the team's performance in 2018? Photo: AAP

10. How does the game retain its shape in changing times?

Late last year the AFL Commission looked at where the game would be in five and 10 years' time, underlining the need to push innovations such as AFLX and support AFLW as the world changes. Discussion on where the balance lies between tradition and change will fill airtime and strategic decisions for the next decade.