The 2023 AFL grand final will be the first time the top two home-and-away finishers will play off for the premiership since 2014.
Collingwood and Brisbane will meet for the first time in the big dance since 2003, when the Lions overcame the Pies by 50 points.
But in 2023, 10 years on from that flag, these sides meet to create a new chapter of premiership history.
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The Lions' defence held up against a blistering Carlton side last week, while the Magpies survived against a fast-finishing GWS.
All eyes will be on Nick Daicos' stamina, as he plays just his second game in seven weeks after recovering from a leg injury.
Can Nick Daicos make up for Brownlow disappointment?
The young Collingwood superstar could have already won a medal this week, but his knee injury in round 21 prematurely ended his regular season and ruined his chance to win the Brownlow Medal.
He came in third place with 28 votes, behind Brisbane's Lachie Neale in first with 31 votes, then Western Bulldogs star Marcus Bontempelli (29 votes).
But the loss in Monday's Brownlow can't affect Daicos come the last Saturday in September.
The 20-year-old has the weight of the footballing world on his shoulders, needing to bounce back in the grand final, which could be a big ask considering his lack of game time over the last six weeks.
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In last week's one-point preliminary final victory over GWS, Daicos admitted post match on 7 that he ran out of legs in the final term.
"I tried to get as much work in as I could (when away)," Daicos said.
"I feel really strong and powerful, (but) I did feel like I lost my legs a bit in the end."
Collingwood will be hopeful that Daicos can get back to his blistering best through the middle, averaging 31 disposals across the season.
Will Brisbane's backline be able to withstand Collingwood's killer small forwards?
Brisbane's backline proved too good for Carlton in the Lions' 16-point preliminary final win last week, but Collingwood is at another level.
Last time these two sides met in round 23, they both kicked more than 100 points, with the two forward lines the stars of the show.
But, as the saying goes, defence wins premierships, and that will ring true on grand final day.
After Brisbane's slow start last week, that saw the Lions cough up a five-goal-to-one first quarter against the Blues, the Lions will need to ensure they lock down not only Collingwood's forwards, but more importantly, the midfielders.
A side at Collingwood's level will not let the Lions back in if they break away early, so it is up to Harris Andrews, Keidean Coleman and their backline troops to keep the composure early.
The Lions' middle men will need to watch Pie Jordan De Goey, who collected a massive 34 disposals last week, helping him be involved in six scores.
The Magpies are known for their electric starts, but have been quiet in front of goal over their past two finals.
Jamie Elliott has only booted one goal across Collingwood's last two finals, so all eyes will be on him to leave his mark on grand final day.
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Can Billy Frampton live up to the hype?
With every grand final heartbreak comes a grand final opportunity.
Collingwood's Dan McStay, who has been a key part of the Pies' forward line since joining the club at the start of the season, was heartbreakingly ruled out of the grand final at the start of the week.
It came after he suffered a high-grade medial knee injury in the Magpies' one-point win over the Giants in the preliminary final.
But, a chance has arisen for fringe Magpie Billy Frampton, who will play the first final of his career and his biggest on Saturday, after being traded from Adelaide.
Despite playing 15 games this season, coach Craig McRae has thrown his full support behind the key tall, who will likely replace McStay in the forward line.
"He can play second ruck so he gives us good flexibility for our team," McRae said on SEN on Wednesday.
"For every heartache story there's an opportunity and Bill gets that."
Alongside Mason Cox, Frampton will act as a second ruckman.
The pressure will be on the 26-year-old, who has the biggest chance to stand up on the big stage when it matters most.
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