Robert Craddock

Teams lined up like the desperate prisoners of the pit, facing the impossible leap between the two ledges on the vertical wall.

The gap, the chasm, the schism.

in the AFL ladder.

That gap taunted the underclass throughout last season and remained equally impassable through the first month this year.

One by one, they came to be tested physically and spiritually to see if they could make that leap to cross the gap.

Carlton went first.

The maddening crowds barely broke into a chance.

No one truly believed the Blues would make it across, no matter how promising the scenario.

A milestone marvel, sort of that, and the desperate final lunge was unsuccessful.

Carlton couldn't escape the darkness.

Essendon seemed born in the darkness.

Few would have imagined the bombers capable of such a leap a fortnight ago, but fuelled by young hope and with the tools of the pre-season finally revealed, the bombers thrust out across the gap.

They gave a valiant sight before being knocked off track, ultimately swinging from the rope below the landing zone.

Port Adelaide had a carefully crafted plan for their leap of faith.

They would give the Hawthorne Interceptors no chance to thwart their endeavours.

Hopes were raised, but ultimately dashed by a wizard.

St Kilda set forth with great confidence.

Fully acclimatised to the surrounds, they took the footholds two at a time.

They stumbled and recovered, only to be pushed away by the big Texan.

Sunday wasn't North Melbourne's time to test the gap.