AFL 2017 season: 33 reasons to watch the footy this year.

There are plenty more than 33, but here’s a handy list of reasons to be excited for footy in 2017. Ready?

1. The glorious return of Nat Fyfe.

2. Marcus Bontempelli could win the first of his inevitable 10 Brownlows this season.

3. But not if reigning champ Patrick Dangerfield has anything to say about it.

4. Paul Roos installed the engine, but Simon Goodwin is really going to open the Demons up.

5. Can the new Hawks be as good as the old Hawks?

6. The dawn of the Age of the Giant. The revolution is here.

7. The REAL Essendon returns, and the league finally feels complete again.

8. Pendlebury, Treloar, Sidebottom, Wells. Can the Pies’ engine room inspire a return to September?

9. Sam Mitchell plays for West Coast. That’s weird, but oh so wonderful for the Eagles.

10. St Kilda is seemingly on the verge of excellent things, and play exciting footy to boot. Don’t look away.

11. Chris Fagan has the hardest job in footy, but Harris Andrews and Josh Schache give him something to build a team around.

12. With the veterans making way, Brad Scott’s new North can stake its claim. Is it rebuild or rejuvenation?

13. Cyril Rioli.

14. Eddie Betts.

15. Bob.

16. Tom Lynch could be the best big man in the game by season’s end, if he’s not already.

17. Ken Hinkley is seriously under the pump at Port, but surely there’s too much talent on that list to be down for long? Surely.

18. For the billionth season in a row, Damien Hardwick is under immense pressure as the season starts. Surely it’s now or never for him and his Tigers?

19. Brendon Bolton might be the happiest man in the world, but will that cheery disposition be enough to propel Carlton up the ladder? Can’t hurt.

20. Beware the scorned Swans.

21. The flag-starved Dogs broke the drought, but are still hungry for much, much more.

22. The all-attack Crows were an offensive juggernaut in 2016, and there’s no reason to expect a slow down this year.

23. Andrew McGrath is the real deal.

24. So is Hugh McCluggage. And Tim Taranto, for that matter.

25. Christian Petracca is scary good and ready to spread his wings.

26. The prospect of another JK v Buddy Coleman Medal shootout.

27. Harley Bennell could join Fyfe in returning to action for Freo. That surely can’t hurt Ross Lyon’s side.

28. Farewell, Subiaco Oval, at season’s end. No longer will we (incorrectly) hear about your “wide expanses”.

29. Welcome back, Roughy.

30. Everybody would have watched the Dogs’ electric footy in the finals, and everybody will be trying to emulate it.

31. Darcy Moore, Jesse Hogan, Joe Daniher and Tom Boyd can duke it out for the right to be the game’s best young key forward.

32. At least seven teams will, at this point in time, be completely convinced they can win a premiership. At least seven.

33. Our predictions mean nothing, and we have absolutely no idea what’s coming next in 2017.

This post originally appeared on ABC News.