Port Adelaide and Hawthorn have met twice before in a final.
Once in 2001. The other was in 2014. And to the Power's dismay, both ended in three-point losses.
Friday night's highly-anticipated contest at Adelaide Oval has the makings for another close encounter.
Despite a preliminary final berth or season-ending fate on the line, the pair's most recent battle will also suggest a tight clash between the AFL's most in-form team and the impressive perpetual home-and-away season dominators.
In Round 10 this year, the Hawks held a 41-point lead late in the third term before they were mown down to lose by a solitary point.
But take this back a decade, and the Power found themselves in a similar position: playing against a confident Hawthorn outfit with all odds streaming away from them.
The 2014 preliminary final was arguably the one that got away, with Ken Hinkley ruing his club's 16 missed chances, kicking 13.16 to 15.7.
A wasteful opening quarter that saw the Power outscore Hawthorn by seven shots but only led by 12 points.
The club, led by fitness guru Darren Burgess at the time, were renowned for their fourth-quarter bursts, but a 21-point deficit at the final change was unfortunately never retrieved.
Robbie Gray and Travis Boak's heroics weren't enough.
Impressively, Boak, alongside Ollie Wines, will feature for the Power on Friday night.
The same can be said for Hawthorn forward duo Jack Gunston and Luke Breust, with the latter celebrating his 300th game in the brown and gold.
Take it back another 13 years to 2001 at Football Park, where the Power were tipped to continue after being dismantled by eventual premiers Brisbane in the qualifying final.
Port Adelaide arguably had the better of Hawthorn for the majority of the contest, and the 17-point three-quarter time lead would suggest that.
The first time Port Adelaide and Hawthorn ever met in a final, it was the 2001 semi.
The Hawks trailed by three goals at 3QT but flew home in a final term full of highlights. How it unfolded ⬇️#AFLPowerHawks pic.twitter.com/LxRmTQNnje
— 7AFL (@7AFL) September 13, 2024
Brett Montgomery (GWS assistant coach) and Gavin Wanganeen were instrumental in the club's pursuit of a preliminary final berth but were no match for the brash and tough Hawks.
Shane Crawford was dominant, Mark Graham patrolled the air and key forwards Nathan Thompson and John Barker took their chances when it mattered most.
Friday night's encounter has the makings for an epic final, just like these contests from yesteryear.
Narratives all over the ground have been written pending the result of the match.
For Port Adelaide, who finished the season in second, what will become of them following a second straight-sets exit from the finals?
Will Hinkley survive to see out the remainder of his contract?
But if they win, are the Power, who defeated Sydney by 112 points five weeks ago, a match for the premiership favourites?
As for the Hawks, how long will this run continue?
Pundits believe it eventually has to come crashing down but struggle to find ways it will.
Anything from making the finals is seen as a bonus to the club who only a decade ago, completed a three-peat of flags.
But when hearing their coach Sam Mitchell and his players speak, their goal is still two weeks away.
This is what finals is all about.
