It was a game that began with a bang and ended with history simultaneously made and shredded.
For the Lions, the last Saturday in September in 2004 afforded them the right to join rare air, with a fourth consecutive premiership on offer, as well as a place alongside the Collingwood 'Machine' of the late 20s and early 30s.
For their opponents, Port, the decider acted as their first visit to the biggest stage at AFL level and a chance to shake off the choker tag, once and for all.
With many of the game's hardest players and closest checkers in the cast, this was always going to be a rough and tumble game, but if you claim to have called Alastair Lynch and Darryl Wakelin throwing down before the opening bounce, we won't believe you.
And though proceedings were in the balance late into the third term, it would be Mark Williams' men that conclusively proved that they had the power to win.
Despite almost 20 years having passed since this underrated decider, many of the day's winners and losers remain household names. But what exactly are these gladiators of yesteryear up to these days?
Defendersย
Chris Johnsonย
A former skipper and the Lions' last playing link with Fitzroy, Johnson locked down his defensive role for the better part of a decade.
Since calling time on his days at the den, the dual All-Australian has taken on multiple media roles, working with Triple M and Channel 7.
A proud Gunditjmara man, Johnson has also led Indigenous programs at Melbourne's Trinity College and acts as the Managing Director at SKS Indigenous Technologies. Johnson also designed Brisbane's pair of Sir Doug Nicholls Round guernseys in 2021.
Mal Michael
A Lion, a Magpie and a Bomber, Michael called time on his decorated career in 2008 after 238 games.
Since calling it a day, the former key defender acted as a Director at BME Capital Group and, these days, is involved with resource mining in his country of birth, Papua New Guinea.
Darryl White
Exhilarating, yet languid, whether competing in the air or making one of his weaving runs out of defence, White was always a joy to watch.
Since bowing out, the former Bear and Lion has worked a multitude of different roles, including as an assistant for the Gold Coast Suns' AFLW team, a panellist on Yokayi Footy and is also involved with BlackCard, an Indigenous cultural tour company based in Brisbane (Meanjin).
Since hanging up the boots after the 2007 season, Scott is yet to take a break from the AFL bubble, acting as an assistant at Fremantle between 2008 and 2010 before becoming the longest-serving coach of Geelong, tasting premiership success in both 2011 and 2022.
Scott is far from the only player from the 2004 grand final to take this route in retirement.
Akin to many, Lepptisch jumped into coaching after calling time on his playing career, leading his Lions in a head coaching capacity between 2013 and 2016 after serving as an assistant.
Following a set of stints under Damien Hardwick at Punt Road, Leppitsch now calls Collingwood home, with the three-time All-Australian charged with leading the Pies defensive group.
Like the pair before him, including his 'older' brother, Brad Scott has also been bitten by the coaching bug, with the hard-edged defender now calling the shots at Essendon.
Prior to his coaching comeback this season, Scott led North Melbourne for a decade between 2010 and 2019 before acting as the AFL's General Manager of Football.
Michael Wilson
Following 234 games in silver, teal, black and white, the Rising Star winner started work as a physiotherapist.
Currently acting as the Australian Federal Government's chief physio, Wilson also held roles at Back In Motion Health Group, Sportsmed and back at Port Adelaide for a decade.
Darryl Wakelin
Having studied Pharmacy during his playing days with St Kilda and Port Adelaide, Wakelin has made his mark in the field since retiring after the 2007 season.
Following six years as a partner in the Iron Pharmacy Group in Hindmarsh, as of 2019, Wakelin has been a Business Owner within the Platinum Pharmacy Group.
All of this is a heck of a lot less intense than tangling with Alastair Lynch, we're sure.
Matthew Bishop
Following seven seasons and a flag with Port, Bishop made the move back to Melbourne, blending work and community commitments.
While Bishop has helped out as a junior coach at the Mooralbark Football Club and works as a Real Estate Agent for local group, Methven.
A name that requires absolutely no introduction.
Since hanging them up straight after Port's sole AFL grand final win, Hardwick took on an assistant role at Hawthorn before graduating to the top job at Richmond, claiming another three flags in the process.
Last month, Hardwick confirmed the worst-kept secret in football, signing on as Gold Coast's head coach.
Chad Cornes
Run your eyes over Cornes' CV, and it becomes immediately clear that the hardman loves the game of footy.
Following 15 seasons with Port Adelaide and GWS, Cornes became the Giants' defensive coach before returning home to Alberton to lead Port Adelaide's SANFL side between 2015 and 2016.
These days, the dual All-Australian acts as Port's forwards coach under the watch of Ken Hinkley.
Brett Montgomery
What's that? Another former player who has moved into coaching?
Since hanging up the boots in 2007, the one-time best and fairest winner has worked assistant coaching roles with Carlton, Western Bulldogs, Port Adelaide and now the GWS Giants.
Midfieldersย
Jason Akermanis
Loquacious, polarising, but a triple premiership-winning player, Akermanis was the wildcard in Leigh Matthews' deck.
While the bottle blonde was a wizard on the field, claiming a slew of individual honours across his time as a Lion and Dog, Akermanis has made a myriad of adjustments since his career came to a close.
From go-karting to inventing his own cryptocurrency and now running his own real estate group, the infamous handstander has tried his hand at the lot in his post-footy life.
Nigel Lappin
Another gun player turned coach, Lappin has made a successful, and long-standing, transition from the playing field to the coach's box, joining Geelong as an assistant ahead of the 2009 season.
15 years later, and the underrated ball-winner still calls the Pivot City home, working alongside premiership teammate, and Cats head coach, Chris Scott.
Simon Black
When not calling every Lions and Suns game for Triple M Brisbane, the Brownlow and Norm Smith medallist has juggled business endeavours, coaching efforts and even a reality TV appearance.
From assistant coaching at the Lions to running his own Academy and even appearing on a season of Australian Survivor, Black has played his post-footy career like he played the game: busily.
Clark Keating
Three premierships in only 139 games, that's 46 starts.
Big, bustling and tough to miss, Keating remains a cult hero in the River City, even 17 seasons after hanging his boots up.
Since calling time, Keating has held coaching roles with Brisbane's AFL and AFLW teams, also acting as property director before linking up with luxury car rental company, Luxicar.ย
During the Lions' heydey as the kings of the AFL jungle, no name represented the club's ruthless ethos more than their on-field leader.
With a Brownlow Medal, five All-Australian blazers, a pair of league MVPs and three flags under his belt as captain, Voss was without doubt one of the the greatest players of his generation.
And with head coaching roles at Brisbane and Carlton, divided by a lengthy assistant head coaching role at Port Adelaide, it is clear that the Lions' king still loves the game.
Luke Power
As hard at it as they came, Power acted as a perfect foil to Voss, with the gun midfielder's skill and ferocity at the pill marrying perfectly.
After co-captaining the club between 2007 and 2008, Power finished his playing days with the Giants, playing a single season in 2012 before acting as an assistant coach for several seasons.
Since departing the Harbour City, the one-time All-Australian has held roles with the AFL Academy and at Carlton, with Power now coaching the Blues' reserves side.
Josh Mahoney
Despite collecting just seven touches during 2004's decider, Mahoney's goal in the 22nd minute of the third term was the score that would bring Port back to level pegging, a point in play they would eventually charge away from.
Since his AFL career came to an end after the 2007 season, the former Magpie, Bulldog and Power premiership player has made his presence known off the field, taking on footy operations gigs at both Melbourne, Essendon and more recently at AFL House.
Josh Carr
A boomerang as a player, trading Alberton for Fremantle before eventually returning, Carr's coaching career has followed a similar path, with the needling midfielder starting with the Power, shifting across to North Adelaide, moving on to Fremantle before ending back at Alberton.
With his skillset highly rated, the tea leaves suggest Carr will land a head coaching gig before too long.
We're fairly certain that no entry is required here because if you don't know what Kane Cornes is up to these days, your ears must be painted on.
While a premiership player with four best and fairests and 300 games to his name, the failed fireman's hot takes have just about overtaken his on-field achievements, with Cornes offering up his opinions for SEN, The Age and the Nine Network.
Though not everyone's cup of tea, Cornes' work ethic is second to none.ย
Dean Brogan
Another name that ended his playing days with the Giants. And again, like several others that run out on Port's most golden afternoon, Brogan also cut his coaching teeth with the Giants, acting as the club's ruck coach upon retirement.
Since shifting back to South Australia, the ruckman with the Roger Ramjet chin has completed his day-to-do as a branch manager for services provider, efex.
Roger James
After staring in the Power's preliminary final win over St Kilda the week prior, the soul-patched midfielder posted another seven clearances on grand final day to help Port claim their maiden AFL flag.
Adept at covering the ground during his playing days, it makes sense that James now operates an earthmoving business in South Australia.
After 157 games with Port and a flag claimed alongside his brother, Peter, Shaun Burgoyne upped and moved from Alberton to Waverley, ending his decorated AFL career with another three flags as a Hawk.
These days, Burgoyne divides his time between a media role with the Seven Network, a multi-faceted role with Port Adelaide, one that sees the man known as 'Silk' play a leading hand in player development and leading the club's Aboriginal programs.
Burgoyne also acts as a Director for ACS Indigenous, a company created to meet growing requirements by governments and the private sector to engage Indigenous-owned and managed enterprises.
Forwardsย
From role player to assistant and now head coach of the year, McRae has enjoyed a well-deserved rise to prominence since trading the forward line for his place coaching on the boundary line.
After hanging up the boots, the man known as 'Fly' took on coaching roles at Richmond, Brisbane and Hawthorn before landing Collingwood's top job ahead of the 2021 season.
Jonathan Brown
Inimitable in style and in tone, Brown enjoyed a storied career in the River City, hanging up his kicking boots after three flags, a pair of All-Australian blazers and a Coleman Medal.
In recent years, Brown's drawl has been heard on Nova radio waves as well as on Fox Footy, either as a pundit or a colour commentator.
Martin Pike
A four-club player that won four flags playing on all three lines, Pike was as tough as he was reliable, on the field at least.
These days, the blunt talker is said to be working for the CFMEU in some capacity.
Daniel Bradshaw
Despite standing at 6 foot 3 and weighing in at 95 kilograms, Bradshaw was the third fiddle in Brisbane's stacked forward line, slotting 496 goals from 222 games behind the ilk of Alastair Lynch and Jonathan Brown.
Never the flashiest player during his heydey, Bradshaw has avoided the spotlight since his playing days came to a close, with recent reports claiming the key forward runs a road marking business in Wodonga.
Alastair Lynch
Despite not bowing out with a fourth premiership medallion, Lynch bowed out with a bang after trying to take off Darryl Wakelin's head before the opening bounce.
Opting to retire rather than serve a 10-week suspension, Lynch moved from the playing field to a position of punditry with Fox Footy.
The former Royboy also throws his two cents in on the Neds Punting Podcast and acts as a Director for Healthy Business and an Advisory Board Member for the Wicking Dementia Research & Education Centre.
Robert Copeland
Never the leading man in any Lions side, Copeland was like clockwork in his dependability.
After bowing out with a pair of premiership medallions to his name, the native Queenslander has gone on to own and operate his own removalist business.
Byron Pickett
With his 20 touches, nine inside 50s and three goals, Pickett earned the Lions' share of votes to become - and remain - Port Adelaide's only Norm Smith Medal winner.
After racking up 204 games with North, Port and Melbourne, the dual premiership player has moved into mentoring Indigenous youth.
These days, Pickett can also be found supporting the Demons and his nephew, current-day Demon, Kysaiah Pickett.
Warren Tredrea
Despite remaining Port Adelaide's only AFL premiership captain, Tredrea became persona non grata at Alberton following comments made about head coach Ken Hinkley earlier in the year.
Since hanging up his Nikes in 2010, the key forward has held several media roles, including with the Nine Network, The Adelaide Advertiser and FIVEaa.
Tredrea is also the specialist coach for SANFL outfit North Adelaide, working under his former Port teammate Jacob Surjan.
Peter Burgoyne
The elder of the two Burgoyne brothers, Peter enjoyed a more-than-handy grand final outing, earning multiple Norm Smith votes for his 25-disposal performance.
Since departing Alberton at the cessation of the 2009 season, Burgoyne has lent his hand to a multitude of Indigenous-owned and operated businesses, including in his current post as Business Development Manager for the South Australian Aboriginal Building & Civil Construction Academy.
Just like his brother, Shaun, Peter still has ties to his old club, with the ex-forward's son, Jase, currently on the Power's senior list.
Toby Thurstans
Best remembered for calling out 'CatDog' on the dais when collecting his premiership medal, it should never be forgotten that Thurstans slotted three of Port's 17 goals that afternoon.
After departing the AFL scene, Thurstans got his hands dirty in the building and construction game, working with both BluBuild and BluScape.
Thurstans is also the President of Port Adelaide's Past Players and Officials Committee.
Brendon Lade
Another name; another coach.
After hanging up his boots in 2009, Lade - a dual All-Australian - has worked in assisting roles at Port Adelaide, Melbourne, Richmond, St Kilda and now the Western Bulldogs.
Gavin Wanganeen
A legend on the field and the match-winner with four goals in the grand final, Wanganeen holds pride of place in Port Adelaide's contemporary history.
After calling time on his illustrious in 2006, the Brownlow medallist has moved into a part-time media role with the Seven Network, as well as acting as the Founder and Managing Director of Murra Partners.
Since 2016, Wanganeen has also worked as an artist, even designing the Indigenous artwork on the Sherrins for Sir Doug Nicholls Round in 2017.
Interchange and coachesย
Dylan McLaren
Despite calling Brisbane home between 2001 and 2005, McLaren never climbed the dais on grand final day.
Since his two-club career came to a close at the cessation of 2006, the country Victorian has become a qualified carpenter and now works as a Site Supervisor for GJ Gardiner Homes in Queensland.
Richard Hadley
No, not the famous Kiwi all-rounder, Hadley - not Hadlee - featured for the Lions on 41 occasions, earning premiership honours in 2003.
After his time in the game wrapped up in 2010, Hadley moved home to Western Australia, opening a cafe and working for medical tech company, Stryker.
Tim Notting
Despite missing out on a place in Brisbane's 2003 premiership team, Notting bowed out as a dual premiership Lion at the end of the 2009 season.
Since hanging them up, the country Victorian has acted as a trek leader as well as the owner of Stella Builders.
Blake Caracella
Another three-club player; another career coach.
After his time as a Bomber, Lion and Magpie came to a close, Caracella shifted into the coaching caper, taking on roles at Collingwood, Geelong, Richmond and now back at Essendon.
Following his 170-game, best-and-fairest-winning career at Port, Kingsley commenced a coaching career that has taken him across borders in his pursuit of a top job.
Starting off at Port, Kingsley then shifted across to Victoria, working with St Kilda and Richmond, before earning the reigns at Greater Western Sydney.
Dom Cassisi
While the '04 grand final was only Cassisi's 43rd game, the future captain would turn out in teal on another 185 occasions, cementing his status as an Alberton icon.
In retirement, Cassisi worked in the finance industry, acting as the Managing Director of Funding Options in Norwood.
Cassisi can also be heard calling Adelaide-based games for Triple M.
After calling time on his dual premiership-winning career after the 2009 season, Dew learned the ropes of the coaching caper at Sydney before graduating to take the Suns' top job in 2018.
While the wheel had begun to turn for Dew and the fledgling franchise, the former forward was dumped this season, eventually usurped by his Port premiership teammate, Damien Hardwick.
We're sure next year's 20-year reunion won't be awkward...
Jarrad Schofield
One more for the road, you say? Why not?
After calling quits on his three-club career in 2006, Schofield has also turned his focus to coaching, working with Claremont, Subiaco, Port Adelaide and presently with West Coast.
Leigh Matthewsย
Perhaps the greatest player to ever pull the boots on and one of the most successful coaches to ever deliver a spray, when Matthews speaks, people listen.
And they still do to this day, with the man involved with eight premierships calling games for Seven and 3AW, as well as putting his thoughts down for the Herald Sun.
Mark Williams
With his tie grab and barb-filled acceptance speech, this day saw Williams at his best.
While the Port legend's time at Alberton would end in 2010, the mastermind was not lost to the game, taking on coaching and development roles at GWS, Richmond, Ajax, Werribee and Melbourne.
