Forget about winning from fifth, Brad Scott reckons even the team running 10th could win the AFL premiership this season if given the chance.
Such is the unpredictability and even nature of this year's competition, the former Brisbane premiership star and Essendon coach reckons the flag is anyone's for the taking in 2024.
Brisbane's 20-point win over the Bombers on Saturday secured last year's beaten grand finalists fifth place and hosting rights in an elimination final in two weeks.
They'll play either Carlton, Fremantle or Western Bulldogs, who play later on Sunday to determine the final make-up of the top-eight.
Under the current finals format, only three sides have made the grand final from outside the top four.
Only one - the Western Bulldogs in 2016 - have gone on to win the flag by winning four-straight finals games.
But Scott, whose team will finish 11th for the second-straight year, reckons the pre-finals bye and this season's fluctuating form lines have left the door open for another bolter.
"Yeah, everyone can," he said when asked if his former side can win from fifth.
"The game's changed; the bye before finals gives teams the opportunity to sharpen up, get some players back.
"The top four used to be a bigger advantage than it is now.
"Even teams outside the eight would be a chance if it was final 10, it's just so close."
The Lions were 13th after 12 rounds before a nine-game winning streak had them pushing for a remarkable minor premiership.
Losses to GWS and Collingwood, both after holding strong leads, then saw them slip out of the top four.
"I'm a bit disappointed about what's happened over the last three weeks because it has cost us the opportunity to finish in the top four," Lions coach Chris Fagan said.
"But at the same time, we've finished fifth and got a home final. When you consider where we were at the halfway mark of the season, it has been a great effort from our boys."
Fagan hopes a week off has a positive psychological impact on a Lions squad he admits over-compensated after being accused of selfish play last week, while he could only offer a wry smile at more wayward kicking.
"Sometimes it gets in here (head) and that's the bit you need to work on the most," he said.
"It's almost down to that (accuracy) this year, there's not much between the teams."
Fagan's Lions are the only top-eight team that have been there for the last six years.
He said that experience and confidence in their best football gave them genuine belief they could win the club's first premiership since 2003.
"I'd love to have a crystal ball, but it is possible in this competition this year to do that," he said.
"You need luck with injury, what happens in that area over the next few weeks is going to have a bit of a say, as will accuracy.
"It feels that way doesn't it, it's been such a topsy-turvy year.
"We're not coming into that finals series thinking we're no chance.
"We believe in ourselves."
