Brisbane has stormed into a third consecutive AFL Grand Final and does not look like exiting September action any time soon.
The narrative was identical two decades ago when the Lions produced a dynasty under coaching icon Leigh Matthews, defeating Essendon (in 2000) and Collingwood ('01,'02) to lift the cup aloft.
Is history repeating itself?
Under Chris Fagan, the Lions have made the finals for the past seven years, but have reached the grand final in the last three, yielding one win and a loss, with Saturday's result set to tip the scales either way.
In 2001, Essendon were the favourites to go back-to-back, but Matthews and his men denied the Bombers more glory, putting them on a path to mediocrity that has persisted to this day.
The following season saw another Victorian club become a contender: Collingwood.
Brisbane managed to handle them on the last Saturday in September and inflicted the exact same pain on the Pies 12 months later, ultimately claiming three consecutive premierships.
The journey of two decades ago has all but been replicated.
A third consecutive grand final for the Queensland club hasn't been an easy feat, defying the odds despite injuries to key personnel, challenging ladder positioning, and the demands of travel in pursuit of further success.
The 2025 season can be likened to that of 2003, when Brisbane ironically finished third and were belted by Collingwood, who'd they met three weeks later.
However, a final round clash and subsequent victory against the Western Bulldogs claimed a double chance, denying Fremantle the opportunity for a top-four berth.
Port Adelaide claimed the minor premiership comfortably 22 years ago. Adelaide did it this year.
The Lions took down the Crows in the 2003 semi-final, and then stormed past Sydney at Stadium Australia to reach the decider.
A quartet of crucial players faced injury clouds throughout the 2003 AFL Grand Final week. Michael Voss, with an injured knee, Nigel Lappin, with broken ribs, and both Alastair Lynch and Martin Pike, with hamstring issues, attempted to derail the club's pursuit of a three-peat.
This time around, the Lions failed to throw a punch against Geelong, but prevailed over Gold Coast and Collingwood convincingly to take on the Cats once again.
They could welcome back two-time Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale, who has miraculously recovered from a calf injury in three weeks to potentially put his hand up for selection.
In 2003, Brisbane produced a 65-point turnaround, flipping a 15-point loss into a monstrous win.
This year, the Lions were downed by 38 points to Geelong. Could history repeat itself?
That’s easy to answer, NO, that earlier Brisbane team were so powerful, makes this team look like 8th spot.