The Perth Scorchers are vying to become the first side to complete a Big Bash "three-peat" and even their rivals agree they will again be the team to beat.
The Scorchers and Sydney Sixers have dominated the BBL from the outset, winning eight of 12 titles between them, and both have come close to sealing a storied "three-peat" once before.
Sydney were smashed by the Scorchers in the 2021/22 final as Perth recovered from a collapse of 4-25 to win by 79 runs.
The Melbourne Stars put paid to the Scorchers' own hopes of a third consecutive title by knocking them out of the semi-finals in the fifth edition of the tournament.
Eyeing another shot at history, Perth have stacked their side with familiar faces for this summer's tournament, which begins on Thursday night.
English import Zak Crawley is the only player on the roster who has never previously held a contract with the franchise.
Eight players from the XI that won the last tournament's final are signed up to challenge for a third consecutive gong.
"Absolutely it's on," Perth paceman Lance Morris told AAP of the "three-peat" quest.
"Having a great group of people that have been together for a relatively long time now is pretty much the main key.
"We've got a really nice balance of experienced players and a couple of fresh, new faces in the squad as well."
The Scorchers' ability to retain their best local talent has also been central to their success.
Elite West Australian products Jhye Richardson, Josh Inglis, Mitch Marsh, Aaron Hardie and Ashton Turner have only ever played for them and all line up again this summer.
It's enough to make the Scorchers' rivals believe they will again set the benchmark.
"It has to be Perth Scorchers again," Adelaide Strikers paceman Wes Agar told AAP.
"They have a way of breeding these amazing cricketers and bringing them through and it's no different this year.
Stars veteran Joe Burns believes the shorter fixture for the upcoming tournament will help give the Scorchers' rivals a leg-up.
The BBL is hoping the call to cut back from 56 regular-season games to 40, backed by fans and players alike, will mean each match has more riding on it.
"It's hard to go past Perth (as the favourites)," Burns told AAP.
"But when you start the season, especially with 10 games (per team) now, every team's a challenge. You've really got to be on for those 10 round games."
