What a difference eight months can make.
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The Canberra Demons opened their NEAFL campaign with a 21-point victory over the Redland Bombers at Queanbeyan's Margaret Donoghoe Oval on Saturday.
Wind back to the final round of the 2016 season, and the Demons were on the wrong end of a 53-point drubbing at the hands of the Bombers.
It was the final nail in the coffin of a horror season that bore just three wins, but the Demons can already see the light at the end of the tunnel.
New Canberra player-coach Kade Klemke says a season opening win "creates belief" and will give his young side a massive confidence boost.
Canberra trailed by a solitary point at each of the first two breaks, before running over the top of the visitors in the second half in a 16.7 (103) to 12.10 (82) win.
The Demons notched up eight second half goals to the Bombers' four to clinch their first win of the season, Ben Fulford and Josh Bennett leading the way with three goals apiece.
"We're not just here to make up the numbers, we are going to be a tough team to beat, whoever we play," Klemke said.
"Redland have been talked up a bit this year, they're going to be big improvers, and I think it does the world of confidence for our guys, that [now think] 'I can play at this level.'"
One of Canberra's best, a satisfied Klemke grinned as the final siren drew closer, early vindication for his tireless efforts to unite players from a range of clubs under one banner.
"There's a really good feeling around the club at the moment," Klemke said.
"I think the boys knew they could win the game today. I think the way that we've been going [during] the pre-season, we were pretty confident that we could knock off Redland.
"I guess the key is now, that that's just one game. People will be asking the question, can we back it up, especially against a team like Aspley who is a very good team in the NEAFL."
Klemke's challenge is now keeping his young squad's feet on the ground, but hopes his side continues to get "better and better" with more games under the belt.
"We're still young and guys are still developing, so it's pretty exciting times for us ahead," Klemke said.
"We could even tell halfway through the third quarter we had the legs. Even though we were two guys down in the third quarter, three on the bench, to the boys' credit.
"We've been working pretty hard through pre-season and I've been really rapt with our fitness and our boys just ran out the game superbly, our midfield did a fantastic job. Our pressure was just first class."
Injuries to Max Richardson (wrist) and Jacob Turner (ankle) soured Canberra's win, with the pair to be assessed before round two's clash with Aspley.
AT A GLANCE
NEAFL Round one:
CANBERRA DEMONS 4.3 8.5 13.6 16.7 (103)
REDLAND BOMBERS 4.4 8.6 11.9 12.10 (82)
Canberra Goal Kickers: B. Fulford 3, J. Bennett 3, A. Bruce 2, L. Harper 2, J. Turner, W. Muir, L. Meline, A. Swan, C. Milne, N. Pleming
Canberra Best Players: J. Harper, K. Klemke, N. Pleming, A. Bruce, M. Maguire, A. Swan
Redland Goal Kickers: J. Paine 4, K. Walsh 2, L. Rogerson, M. Thomson, A. Christensen, S. Mills, C. Cameron, J. Huddy
Redland Best Players: J. Paine, H. Bertoli-Simmonds, A. Williams, B. Bailey
