With the home and away season now in the rearview mirror, our attention turns to September, and therefore, AFL finals.
Collingwood will enter the post-season as the hunted, having claimed the minor premiership after booking their top eight spot months ago.
Contrastingly, the likes of Carlton, GWS and Sydney secured their positions in the finals frame within the last few weeks of the regular season campaign, but will carry some good form into the final stretch of the premiership race.
St Kilda have been the quiet achievers this year, with Ross Lyon's return to Moorabbin lifting the red, white and black back into contention, while Melbourne, Brisbane and Port Adelaide have all gone better to book themselves a top four finish.
All eight sides have a reason to look forward to this finals series, but each club also has at least one weakness that could upset their premiership prospects.
Here we assess the reasons why each team can win the premiership, and the reasons why they can't.
Collingwood
Why they can...
Few teams divided public opinion last off-season like Collingwood did when it seemed they would either drop out of the eight, having lost their magical touch, or roll their way to a premiership as an improved version of last year.
The questions were answered quickly and profoundly by Round 1 this season, where the footy world realised the Pies' premiership credentials, having slammed all 2022 'fluke' discussions shut by overwhelming the reigning premiers in the Cats.
In every match, the Magpies bring an aura and unpredictability that few teams can combat.
It could start with a single passage of play where they attack the corridor with a wave of numbers, handballing their way to a dangerous forward 50 entry, and ignite the Magpie Army with a goal.
Their in-game momentum cannot be matched, especially at the MCG.
They have a profound capacity to manifest a winning environment thanks in large part to their colossal fanbase. Add that to their creativity and skill on the field, and watch as their momentum exponentially grows and overwhelms.
Their total character under Craig McRae, let alone their style of play, is made for finals, and has established them as premiership favourites.
There is a metaphysical component to Collingwood that can't be quantified, but it is an aura and subsequent confidence that has carried them to their current position, and may carry them to a flag.
McRae let it known to the Magpie Army himself after Round 24:
"Looking down the barrel... we're gonna need you from here on in and I know you can make a difference."
Why they can't...
The crucial question is... have the Magpies lost that unbeatable aura?
By Round 13, Collingwood were sitting pretty atop the ladder at 11-1 with the premiership seemingly in their grasp.
The King's Birthday match against Melbourne in Round 13 may prove to be the most important result of this home & away season in hindsight.
The Demons successfully quelled Collingwood's offensive corridor surge, taking the life out of the roaring crowd and stealing momentum from the irrepressible Magpie force.
It was fascinating to watch as repeat turnovers in the middle of the ground consistently led to Melbourne scores.
For 11 of their previous 12 matches, Collingwood found a way to embrace imperfection and creatively move the ball forward however possible.
Melbourne exploited this, attacking their imperfection to create turnovers and expose their forward-pressing defence.
Thorough analysis of this match revealed more flaws in Collingwood's system than seen in any match during McRae's tenure.
They have lost three of their 11 matches since, which has still kept them entrenched as minor premiers, but has put them under intense pressure come finals time.
Have they lost their mystical invincibility? And is that enough to diminish their premiership hopes?
We may find out this Thursday night.
