As the AFL prepares to squeeze 33 games into 19 days to keep Season 2020 ticking over, the selection squeeze each side is feeling may in fact loosen.
With the tight turnaround between games, sides won't be relying on just their best 26 players to get them through the year, and will inevitably be forced to use a sizeable portion of their lists to get through the inevitable cram.
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We've looked at how deep each side bats when it comes to list depth, using a well-worn cricket methodology to see how each team will fare off the bat.
For some sides, it appears to be smooth sailing with a wealth of already-blooded options to choose from. For others, they are teetering on the verge of a middle-order collapse.
How is the score calculated?
The only players available for selection were those who didn’t play for their AFL side in the previous round. From there, TRB picked the best XI available for each side based on the amount of games played. An asterisk next to a player in the line-up means they are expected to return within the next fortnight; if they are any further away from playing then they are classed as an injured player.
Injured players were what comprised the wickets – teams with a clean bill of health escaped without many dents into their top order. For Richmond, who are hamstrung by afflictions, they had to rely on their lower order due to the constant wickets that fell.
The last aspect of the score was the sundries. These were devised by looking at the number of players who missed out on selection in the XI. Each player who was forced to carry the drinks and perform 12th man duties equalled one sundry that was added onto the score.
POOR
Richmond
It's like Richmond have been forced to bat first on a seaming green pitch compared to the batting paradises concocted for the 17 other sides. Wickets have flowed, leaving Richmond's stocks depleted.
The Tigers are currently blooding several youngsters after several top-end talents were forced to the dug-out through injury or personal reasons, but now, there isn't a great deal of experience waiting in the wings.
Trent Cotchin (239) heads the list for players who should be returning soon, while Sydney Stack looms as a major chance to reclaim his spot in the side. Expect Patrick Naish to push for selection with the likes of Dion Prestia (ankle) and Shane Edwards (personal reasons) out for the foreseeable future.
If the batting order continues to collapse, Damien Hardwick only has Luke English and Ben Miller carrying the drinks.
Hawthorn
It's a bit of an alarming situation for the already embattled Hawks.
Hawthorn's depth has been challenged by recent injuries to key players Luke Breust (jaw) and Jonathon Patton (hamstring), yet their games of experience outside of the starting 22 rests a tick under 700.
At first glance, the Hawks might look incredibly well off with the number of runs in the back, but looker closer, and their sizeable tally is chiefly made up by the Brian Lara-esque Shaun Burgoyne (381).
Take his score away (as he is likely to return after being managed last week), and the Hawks' tally sits at a paltry 315, with 10 out of the 11 players with less than 50 games under their belt.
Jarman Impey (116) is just a few weeks away from returning to his dynamic half-back role, further plunging the Hawks' depth into question. Mitch Lewis sits as the perfect candidate to replace Patton, while Conor Nash and Conor Glass are both handy extras for Alastair Clarkson to call upon.
But the lack of runs on the board could, in a rudimentary sense, spell a bit of trouble for the brown. and gold.
Brisbane
On any normal day of test match cricket, Brisbane’s score would be intimidating. But when it comes to depth, the Lions don't have too much left in the shed. With the experienced Marcus Adams and Cam Ellis-Yolmen both out, Allen Christensen and Alex Witherden are the two top-order talents pushing for a senior berth.
The exciting Rhys Mathieson could also become a forward option, while Archie Smith and Matt Eagles loom as some tall timber ready to feature. For the latter two, they don't have many runs on the board.
The one positive for Chris Fagan's men is that there are plenty of kids waiting, with the likes of Corey Lyons and Ely Smith coming close to cracking the team.
Carlton
Despite boasting a young line-up, Carlton have plenty of experience pulling on the pads.
Ex-Cat Darcy Lang and Jack Silvagni are both on the precipice of selection, while Zac Fisher, Caleb Marchbank and Paddy Dow are all good enough to push for a spot. Regardless, they make for a fearsome middle order when you combine them with the reliable Lochie O'Brien.
If Carlton need more men to hold down the fort, they have some capable hands in Sam Philp and Tom De Koning waiting in the wings to replace the injured Nic Newman and Charlie Curnow.
Western Bulldogs
There's a lot of talent scattered throughout the Bulldogs' order, but it's their high-wicket count which is the most concerning element of the line-up.
The Bulldogs have plenty of injuries, as the quality of Josh Dunkley, Taylor Duryea, Aaron Naughton, Sam Lloyd and Lin Jong are currently rehabilitating. But Jackson Trengrove (185 games) leads the list of troops ready to step up for Luke Beveridge if need be.
Hayden Crozier (suspension) premiership player Tory Dickson and Billy Gowers are also firm candidates to make it into the starting 22, and have shown they have the talent to force a selection swing.
The Bulldogs have plenty of depth if need be, but injuries will continue to trouble them.
Essendon
The Bombers have experienced a poor run with injury in the past few weeks.
Dylan Shiel's MRP trouble leaves Essendon's midfield stocks bare - Dylan Clarke and Matt Guelfi both provide possible options to replace him in the coming fortnight.
With Jake Stringer (foot), Joe Daniher (calf) and Dyson Heppell (foot) all out injured, Tom Cutler and James Stewart have the chance to push for selection in their absence. All of these options give Essendon a steady top order that can give John Worsfold some relief.
Aaron Francis and Mason Redman should return to the backline soon, while Tom Bellchambers' recent replacement by Andrew Phillips makes him a star opener in this XI.
AVERAGE
Fremantle
On the whole, Fremantle have some strong options in the top order who can control an innings and feature prominently in the AFL side.
Brandon Matera's (142) experience made him a top-notch opening bat with plenty of class, while Reece Conca (131) and Jesse Hogan both provide flexible options for the Dockers. If Nat Fyfe still isn't right, Brennan Cox and Connor Blakely can fill the void in the midfield.
If Justin Longmuir needs even more players, he has a raft of players next in line with great names. Just imagine an XI with openers Lloyd Meek and Minairo Frederick, complimented by the Jarvis Pena and Leno Thomas. If ever there was a 'good names XI', Fremantle may just have the foundations of it.
Port Adelaide
The Power were unlucky not to reach the top tier with their depth.
Port Adelaide are flying at the moment, and only have Willem Drew out injured for the long-term. Tom Rockliff (195) is waiting to slot back into the midfield, while centurions Jack Watts and Sam Mayes, plus Riley Bonner can all push for spots in the second half of the season.
Xavier Duursma should be an instant selection once his hamstring his right, but Port's clean bill of health might not make his inclusion so clean-cut.
Next in line sits some famous names, with Trent Burgoyne and Riley Grundy developing nicely under the experience above them.
Sydney
Sydney's stocks have been hit for six after losing Isaac Heeney (ankle) and Josh Kennedy (knee) last Sunday against the Tigers. But even with the two key position players sidelined - plus Lance Franklin - John Longmire surprisingly has some blooded youth ready to step into the side.
Recycled Swans Jackson Thurlow and Kaiden Brand are more than capable of playing a role in the defensive half, with the latter expected to return within the week after a groin complaint. Aliir Aliir is also waiting for a recall after being dropped last week, while several middle-order pinch-hitters could slot in just as seamlessly.
Tom McCartin has shown his versatility at both ends and could become the new spearhead after the dismissal of Heeney.
Perpetually injured Swan Sam Reid may be forced to face-up inside forward 50 should he remain fit, and could form a strong partnership with centurion Lewis Taylor (166). Callum Sinclair will be a shoe-in as soon as he recovers from his knee issue and will look to remain on the front-foot as Sydney's tall timber supply inevitably thins.
Adelaide
Adelaide may not be performing on-field, but they have enough guidance off of it to improve in the second half of 2020.
Bryce Gibbs can consider himself dreadfully unlucky not to receive a call-up with his 266 games of experience, but doesn't look like breaking into the senior line-up any time soon. Taylor Walker should find his way back into the side alongside Paul Seedsman and Riley Knight in the coming weeks.
The Crows also have young options to speed up their line-up; Lachlan Murphy, Ben Crocker, Darcy Fogarty and Elliott Himmelberg have all promised in their short AFL careers.
With captain Rory Sloane now injured, Adelaide may need to go to their surprising depth if they are to reinvigorate their year.
Gold Coast
One would expect Gold Coast to not have much experience waiting on the sidelines.
But the impressive young stars up north have forced some knowledgeable talent out. Jordan Murdoch (122), Jack Hombsch (116), Zac Smith (115) and Anthony Miles (88) all have a case to return to the AFL side soon. With wunderkind Matt Rowell out for the season, the lively Sean Lemmens looms as a possible move to spark up the Suns.
Peter Wright isn't just a lusty lower order hitter either, and has all the shots in his wheelhouse to challenge Ben King and Sam Day for their forward spots. Wil Powell and Will Brodie also highlight the youth Stuart Dew has at his disposal if the Suns need a lift.
GWS
Casting your eyes upon the benched Giants, it makes GWS look more imposing as a flag contender.
While the ilk of Sam Jacobs (204) and Adam Kennedy (116) sitting out, the Giants have enough talent to go deep. Tim Taranto and Zac Williams will cause a selection conundrum in coming weeks, as only Isaac Cumming and Callan Ward are out injured.
Leon Cameron has options for all types of roles, as the exciting Ian Hill and the trusty Sam Reid can both slot into the team with ease.
Melbourne
Melbourne may not have many tall forward options, but they have heaps of other talent waiting in the wings. Braydon Preuss and Mitch Brown are the only talls pushing for selection, while ex-captain Nathan Jones provides plenty of experience as he nears a triple-century.
Alex Neal-Bullen and Jayden Hunt can both produce blistering innings as well as a keen sense around goals. Exciting youngsters Oskar Baker and Luke Jackson can also shoot up the list and feature in the AFL team if required by Simon Goodwin.
GOOD
Geelong
As expected, Geelong have a lot of talent who can't break the AFL side.
Four-time best-and-fairest Jack Steven (186)and Lachie Henderson (171) are always around the mark, while talls Josh Jenkins and Rhys Stanley are also strong chances of getting games in the coming weeks.
But Chris Scott doesn't just possess height to replace the services of Tom Stewart, Mitch Duncan and Quinton Narkle; the young exuberance of Jordan Clark, Tom Atkins and Nakia Cockatoo should all excite Geelong fans throughout the latter half of 2020.
North Melbourne
North Melbourne do have some depth, but their impressive depth is heavily bolstered by the temporarily hamstrung Jack Ziebell and Ben Cunnington.
Other than the two seasoned Shinboners, Mason Wood and Majak Daw are on the precipice of returning to the Roos' line-up. The Kangaroos have little injuries, meaning the quality of Kayne Turner and Jed Anderson are forced to combine for a strong middle order.
With Ben Brown out of form, expect Nick Larkey to challenge as a potential forward partner in the upcoming rounds.
West Coast
The biggest benefit for the Eagles is their clean bill of health.
Only Luke Shuey (206), Mark Hutchings (113), Jamaine Jones and Daniel Venables are out of the AFL side, and with the exception of Venables, are ready to return in the coming weeks.
Lewis Jetta (200) and Will Schofield (192) can easily force their way into the side with their premiership experience. Nathan Vardy and Tom Hickey are working to either replace or join Nic Naitanui, while Jack Petruccelle is always around the mark at the selection table due to his speed and promise.
Collingwood
Some controversy proves how strong Collingwood's depth is.
When John Noble, Tyler Brown and Darcy Cameron can't even crack the XI you know they have a lot of weapons at their disposal. Steele Sidebottom and Jordan De Goey will return very soon, while Lynden Dunn, Levi Greenwood and Ben Reid will all create a selection nightmare once they are declared fully fit.
The entire batting order drips with quality - if Brayden Sier and Josh Daicos are reduced to lower order hitters and daring seamers, then Nathan Buckley has a smorgasbord of quality cricketers/ footballers at his disposal.
St Kilda
The Pies got pipped at the post by the Saints, who hold an eye-boggling amount of experience in their XI.
All-Australian ruckman Paddy Ryder (246) is the star of the team, but he is joined by the forgotten talents of Nathan Brown (183), Shane Savage (163) and Dylan Roberton (129).
If the AFL world needs any more reminding of the evenness in St Kilda's list, then notice Matty Parker's presence as a number 10 tail-ender. Ben Long will be back in no time once his suspension is up, while Jack Sinclair is pushing for a gig in the AFL team.
Untried Saint Ryan Byrnes is also firming for a senior debut after two sensational showings in the club's reserves matches.
