Legacies are defined by what teams and players achieve, or fail to achieve, in September.
The stakes are higher. Every effort is amplified. Every mistake is compounded. Every victory is glorified. Losses are rarely forgiven.
With the first week of finals upon us, let's take a look at some of the most memorable matches this corresponding point of the season has blessed footy fans with in recent memory.
The eight best first-week finals of the last decade:
6Carlton Blues v Sydney Swans, 2023 Elimination Final
The Blues' first finals win in a decade ensured a first-week exit for the Swans, just one year on from a grand final appearance.
Carlton never trailed in the contest, but did see their 30-point lead whittled down to single digits, before a famous goal from wingman Blake Acres steadied the ship.
At that moment, the MCG's foundations were shaken by the jubilant celebrations of a fanbase who'd forgotten what September success felt like. A sense of destiny would inspire the Blues to another famous win a week later over Melbourne, where Acres would again be the hero, and carry them to a five-goal lead early in an away preliminary final in Brisbane.
The Lions would storm back and crush the Blues' dreams of a first flag since 1995.
