Dublin's devastating performance against Louth was a timely reminder of what the boys in blue are capable of, but they are still behind a number of teams in the race for Sam Maguire, according to former player Philly McMahon.
After losing two successive All-Ireland semi-finals, Dessie Farrell’s men emerged from Division 2 earlier this year without setting the world alight.
Added to that Kildare pushing the Dubs all the way in the Leinster semi-final, there was a growing sense that for all the decorated players still involved, they would struggle to reach the heights of some of the football displayed during their all-conquering six-in-a-row days.
However, a resurgent Louth were simply blown away in the provincial decider, Dublin plundering five goals and at times looking irresistible in a 21-point victory at Croke Park.
Eight-time All-Ireland winner McMahon says it was encouraging from a Dublin perspective to see his former team-mates show no mercy in front of the posts.
"Kildare probably poked the bear a little bit and that gave the lads a bit of motivation going into the Leinster final.
"There were parts of it I watched and I was buzzing from it. The goal where James (McCarthy) punches it and then they're just ruthless going straight for the black spot I think that's what we need to see with Dublin, because they're going to play teams that are not going to be as open.
"So it was great to see that when they got the chances they took them."
Their opening SFC group game against Roscommon this weekend is their first game against Division 1 opposition this year, and the Ballymun Kickhams man is expecting a step-up in challenge as we approach the business end of the season.
With three games to come in quick succession, panels will be tested and it will give players the chance to put their hand up.
Dean Rock is one such player who is likely to see more action having seen his time on the pitch become more limited.
His fellow clubman believes that the decorated forward is paying a price for the reduced number of frees in the scoring zone that are being coughed up by opposition, be that a tactical strategy or questionable refereeing calls.
"The game is not suiting Dean any more. Dean is not just a free taker but a huge part of his game is free taking.
"Now that Dublin aren’t getting as many scores from frees, he is probably not playing as much I’d imagine."
In the overall landscape of the football championship, McMahon still thinks Dublin trail Kerry, Galway and Mayo in the All-Ireland pecking order, with little to choose between the top three.
He was taken aback by the manner of Kerry’s defeat to Mayo at the weekend. What he felt was a "blip" during the league, with post-All-Ireland celebrations and team holiday to be factored in, could prove to be something more lasting.
"I just didn’t see the fight in Kerry that you would normally see," he said. "They just got cut open again, it was the old defensive Kerry you would have seen - gaps everywhere, didn’t really deal with Aidan O’Shea."
The group stages he feels will help Jack O’Connor iron out the kinks, while Mayo are looking in good shape to mount a serious challenge again in 2023.
"I thought they were very good and they showed a bit of steel going to Kerry and taking that first scalp," he added, insisting the goal opportunities coughed up are a good problem to have.
McMahon has just finished another season playing soccer with Tolka Rovers, where he found himself at centre-half, or a deep-lying midfield role.
As much as he enjoyed it, going again with Ballymun is an itch he can’t help but scratch.
"I just loved the buzz of technically being challenged, trying to get better every time I went training," he said when asked about playing with Tolka Rovers.
"Whereas you go back playing GAA and you kind of have it in the back of your head obviously.
"You just want to play football. You don’t really want this psychological game, whether you are wondering if you starting or not."
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