You wouldn't normally read about a team on top of the ladder losing by 112 points.
But on Saturday, that exact fever dream became a reality.
A rampaging Port Adelaide side took down Sydney, who have now lost four of their past five encounters and look very vulnerable heading into the finals.
After only losing one match in the first 14 games, the Swans were the outright favourites for the flag, with fears that no one could catch them.
However, that once fruitful thought by South Melbourne fans has come crashing down hard, and coach John Longmire can't seem to put his finger on why.
"It's completely and utterly unacceptable," Longmire said post-match.
"It's not up to standard.
"We've been in every game this year until last week, and we dropped away last week. And today just didn't seem like it had a baseline to it at all, in any area.
"We just didn't come to compete and that's the very essence of the game. If you don't come to compete and fight you get shown up, no matter who you play."
Asked if he was bewildered by the performance, Longmire said: "Yeah, that'd be one word to describe it."
Once again, the Swans lamented another slow start that ultimately helped decide the game within the 30 minutes of the opening siren.
Port Adelaide put 71 points on the board before Sydney could register a behind, which came 17 minutes into the second term.
The Power were ruthless and now place themselves within genuine reach of a home Qualifying final.
However, Ken Hinkley is trying to keep a lid on it, but you couldn't wipe the grin off his face in the post-match.
"I'll remember it. That's what I will do. I'll remember the game," Hinkley said of the victory.
"I'll remember it easily because you just don't normally do that sort of stuff in 400 times that I've turned up to the footy.
"As I keep saying all the time, just wait 'til the end, see what happens."
Sydney head back to the SCG to face a hungry Collingwood outfit, who celebrated Scott Pendlebury in true black and white style at the MCG.