First-year coaches at the helm at Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs will be keen to put their stamp on new game plans in Saturday night's NAB Cup tri-series matches at Blacktown, according to senior players from both clubs.
Veteran utility Robert Murphy expects the Bulldogs to be more competitive under Brendan McCartney, while premiership defender Alan Toovey has forecast more subtle changes for the Pies in the transition from Mick Malthouse to Nathan Buckley.
"Bucks has done his apprenticeship, so I think with (football director) Rodney Eade coming across (from the Bulldogs) and the other coaches we've got, (Robert) Harvey and (Ben) Hart, those guys are going to have new ideas," said Toovey.
"Although we're losing a lot of experience and a great coach, the guys that have come in ... will bring something new to the table, and that might be what we need to go that little bit further this year."
"I think there's going to be little subtle changes, but we're not going to go too far away from what we've done the last couple of years."
After seven years under Eade, Murphy said McCartney's strong emphasis on contested work throughout the pre-season took some getting used to.
"All pre-seasons are gruelling, but this one has been a lot of education and trying to adapt to a new style," Murphy said.
"It's probably the most competitive football stuff I've ever done in that pre-Christmas block."
"It's taken a lot of time but we're making some pretty good headway."
"I think there will be some differences, some of them pretty big, some of them subtle."
"This week might be a bit early, we're still adapting."
"The more substantial changes will probably develop over this year and probably into next year as well."
Meanwhile, Saturday night's hosts, the Giants, have much more to offer than making up the numbers, according to elder statesman, James McDonald.
The former Demons captain said the competition's newcomers expect to hit the ground running.
"Everyone has really been looking forward to playing an AFL game ... just to get a gauge where we're at," McDonald said.
"I know the new draftees are really excited and can't wait to get out there and play."
"Pre-season's been good, but they're ready for the games to come on now."
The 33-year-old veteran of 251 AFL matches said he feels mentally and physically refreshed after his 'gap year' but admitted to some private doubts about his ability to rediscover his best.
"That's probably only natural, I suppose, but I've been really happy with my pre-season," he said.
"I've got a few challenges to see whether I'm up to it or not, but we'll soon find out."
"The body's held together and I'm a big believer that if you can get through a pre-season you set yourself up for having a decent season during the home and away."
"I give myself every opportunity."