Who is stopping Fremantle?
That is the question confronting the AFL world following Fremantle's victory over Western Bulldogs.
If Sydney lose to St Kilda, the 18-2 Freo will have sealed the minor premiership with three games remaining in the season - only Hawthorn in 1971, Essendon in 2000 and Geelong in 2007 have done so as early. All went on to win the premiership.
Beating Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium is hardly a headline, despite the Dogs ability to turn it on and surprise good sides consistently - one bookie even had the visitors as preposterous $9.35 outsiders on the day of the game.
But the manner in which they beat them adds another experience under the belt of a side which has looked impenetrable all season.
They're the chameleons of the AFL, changing colours based on their environment and threats.
Whether by design or happenchance - the Dogs coach insists the latter - the Bulldogs seemed to always have plenty of numbers behind the footy, so much so one needed to double-take when Cooper Hynes, who as a winger spent so much time blocking leading lanes in defensive 50, had his club's first two goals.
That after beating handball happy Sydney which challenged Freo for a half with their breakneck speed taking metres by foot until Freo accelerated away and put 100 points on them in a half.
Hawthorn's direct and brave ball movement earlier in the season made for a tantalising contest, but the risk-reward was slanted too far towards the former and eventually the dam wall bust. Collingwood's mantra is to play the minutes - but against Hawthorn and some others, it's also been the Freo way this year.
Brisbane was well down on confidence when it was smashed at home by Fremantle, but the Dockers' ability to absorb forward thrusts and score from potent counterattacks would have been of particular concern. In essence, the Lions were unable to take away Freo's preferred method.
Looking further down the ladder, the Dockers beat Adelaide by just two points in April, but there are concerns about whether the Crows' style can last a full four quarters of September pressure. Collingwood, likely destined for Wildcard Round, exacted a 10-goal swing on the Crows last week, further raising doubt about where they sit, despite ladder position.
Melbourne, as admirable as they have been, were well off Fremantle earlier in the year going down by 48 points.
That leaves Collingwood and Geelong, led by two mastermind coaches and with a wealth of finals experience.
Collingwood lost by just six points in an ugly 45-39 slugfest at Optus Stadium earlier in the season, but would need to win at least two and almost certainly three finals to face Fremantle, which, as admirable as they have been, seems a bridge too far, especially with a decimated backline.
Geelong, therefore, looms as the most likely and with a soft run home, it is not out of the question they sneak into fourth position and play a qualifying final against Fremantle.
The Cats beat Fremantle in Round 1 by 10 points, which remains one of just two losses the Dockers have had this season - but the confines of GMHBA Stadium demand a style and plan not conducive to September. Longmuir's men won the return clash by 10 points.
Geelong outworked Fremantle with an uncontested possession game, but it is worth noting two things: Fremantle flew out of the blocks to put eight goals on the board before being stung by inaccuracy, and, as Longmuir lamented post-game, the Cats played Opening Round so were better seasoned for the clash.
Expecting a similar style to work again is folly, and almost certainly being without arguably their two best players in Max Holmes and Jeremy Cameron will stretch Chris Scott's troops.
The Cats have always been uncharacteristic with their use of the ruck, so may have an ace up their sleeve to try and curb competition star Luke Jackson.
A consistent message Scott delivers is that the 23 his side puts out on the park is not necessarily the best 23 they have, rather the 23 most suited to the opposition.
Are there some unique looks the Cats could opt for against the most talented and explosive team in the competition or do they back themselves with a more traditional look and problem solve on the run as needed?
Certainly, the finals experience and age of the group will help in a finals game.
Of course, there are plenty of tales about teams which choke in finals after looking unstoppable in the home and away season. And there is the old cliche that you have to lose one to win one and Freo hasn't been there and done that yet.
But one of the consistent narratives coach Justin Longmuir has pushed throughout the season is the growth in maturity of the group to rise rather than wilt with pressure and problem solve on the run - two key phenomena September footy demands. (On Longmuir, it would be welcomed if he gave just a little more when speaking in public forums - there should be no doubting his coaching ability, but take us on the emotional journey a little more given the fairytale which awaits if Freo does triumph).
Another feature of September is the deafening noise and that will only invigorate a squad which thrives on Wharfie Time.
Friday night also unveiled another weapon at the Dockers' disposal: Matthew Johnson as a contest negator/tagger.
Johnson - along with Hayden Young - did a number on superstar Marcus Bontempelli keeping a player who usually feasts on the Dockers to 20 disposals and very limited influence.
For the most part the Dockers will rely on their fearsome midfield as a unit, given how heavily they score from stoppage and centre bounce, but being able to send Johnson to a player for parts of a game to stymie momentum and prevent them from getting their hands on it is a useful tool to have.
The names the Dockers have speak for themselves - all of Alex Pearce, Karl Worner, Murphy Reid, Josh Treacy, Shai Bolton and even Jye Amiss are in All Australian contention, plus Caleb Serong, Andy Brayshaw, Luke Ryan, Brennan Cox, Patrick Voss...you get the idea, every line is stacked.
But Gold Coast too had an embarrassment of riches entering 2026 and have wilted out of Wildcard Round contention.
Longmuir's messaging is obviously clear given players' willingness to buy-in and play a role as they find different ways to win.
And when you've got backup plans to shift into as different teams try to quell parts of your game, and those backup plans also have backup plans, and can generate momentum from sheer talent beyond system and structure, as Longmuir said post game on Friday night: "Good luck."
