The 2025 Grand Final is set; Geelong will play Brisbane in a qualifying final rematch to determine the kings of the AFL world.
The Cats will enter the blockbuster fixture as the likely favourite over their growing rivals, having convincingly ousted Brisbane by 38 points just two weeks ago.
However, the Cats but will need to defy the odds of recent Finals history that is stacked against them to ensure a second consecutive September victory over the reigning premiers - and second premiership this decade.
Since 2000, there has been five occasions where a qualifying final rematch has taken place in the Grand Final; Collingwood and Brisbane in 2003, West Coast and Sydney in 2005 and 2006, West Coast and Hawthorn in 2015 and West Coast and Collingwood in 2018.
In four of those Grand Finals, the qualifying final loser reversed the result to win the premiership, with the only double winner being West Coast in 2018 - who required a famous comeback to steal the premiership from the clutches of Collingwood.
What makes things even more interesting is the fact that the path of Brisbane's 2003 flag is eerily similar to 2025.
The Collingwood Magpies stormed home in the fourth quarter to see off the 2002 premiers in the first week of September, winning by 15 points. However, when they met again on the final stage on September 27, the Lions crucified the Magpies in a second-quarter blitz to jump out to a seven-goal lead at the main break.
That was ultimately the difference maker in Brisbane's 50-point win as they claimed their second flag in two years.
Only time will tell what this rendition of the qualifying final rematch holds in store for the Lions and Cats. Yet, if history is anything to go by, Geelong will need to prepare themselves for a relentless Lions side looking to repeat the efforts of that dominant 2003 Brisbane team to set up yet another dynasty for the maroon, blue and gold.
