A cyclone, a postponed season-opener, a much-anticipated debut and a grief-stricken key recruit on the sidelines.
Brisbane's AFL premiership defence starts with a grand-final rematch at the SCG on Saturday but is already unique.
The Lions have navigated a stop-start path to their showdown with Sydney, with the AFL rescheduling last week's Gabba match against Geelong because of Cyclone Alfred.
Chris Fagan's team relocated south on Wednesday, ahead of schedule, to ensure they could train on fields that weren't waterlogged.
Brisbane have confirmed Levi Ashcroft, the younger brother of last year's Norm Smith medallist Will, will debut as substitute after being a father son-selection at pick No.5 in last year's draft.
But the club debut of Sam Day, the former Gold Coast forward tasked with filling the immense void left by Joe Daniher's retirement, has been pushed back after his father Chris died on Thursday.
"We spoke the other day, just before his dad passed away," Fagan said on Friday.
"He was worried about not playing this weekend. I said, 'Mate, you've got to go and see your dad', which he knew he had to do.
"We sort of released him from feeling any responsibility in that regard. And I haven't spoken to him in person since then, but I have text with him, as have all our players and staff.
"Just to pass on our condolences. In his short time at the club, he's become a really popular guy.
"I'm sure he'll get another opportunity."
Fagan admitted it had been a sombre week, with teammates also shattered to hear much-loved forward Lincoln McCarthy had re-torn his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
"He's sort of the last bloke you'd want that to happen to," he said of McCarthy, who played in the side's 2023 grand-final defeat then missed most of last season, including the finals.
"We're all pretty upset by the news. He's taken it well. He's philosophical. He doesn't fear the future."
Ruckman Darcy Fort, who spent the vast majority of 2024 in the reserves then was pitched into the grand final after Oscar McInerney's shoulder injury, will be part of the Lions' first attempt to solve the puzzle that is life after Daniher.
Fagan described forward options Fort, Day and youngster Ty Gallop as great competitors, adamant the impact of Daniher's exit would not be catastrophic.
"We've worked on it all summer," he said.
"The most important thing for forward lines is they get regular supply.
"Outside of Joe, the rest of our forward line is intact.
"We've got some guys that can come in there. It might take a little bit of time for them to learn the role, but I'm sure that they'll do it well."
The 2024 premiership coach was keen to move on from last year's 60-point dismantling of the Swans.
"We were the premiers last year; we're nothing this year," he said.
"We've got to build our own reputation again."
Meanwhile, Swans defender Lewis Melican insisted his side would improve on their opening-round defeat to Hawthorn.
"It's alright to have a loss this early in the season as long as we learn from it," he said. "If we go out and make the same mistakes, that's a problem."
