Reigning premiers Brisbane believe taking the hard road from their 2023 AFL grand final loss to their 2024 triumph has them well-placed to push for back-to-back premierships.
Only the Lions in 2001-2003, Hawthorn between 2013-2015 and Richmond in 2019-20 have backed up flags since the turn of the century.
But the combination of bringing in new players, regaining injured guns and the belief inspired by backing up off a shorter pre-season has Brisbane confident they can hold off the inevitable chasing pack.
"It is hard," midfielder Jarrod Berry said.
"I was talking to one of my mates (former Lion, now Demon) Tom Fullarton and they've been training for four weeks.
"We've still been playing but we have two weeks off and then we're sort of back into training. But those teams are already fit.
"So we know they're chasing us and I'm sure it's gonna motivate us.
"But I guess the challenge now is to learn from all the lessons we had this year about pressure and not putting expectations on ourselves and just going out and playing footy. If we do that, I tip we'll do alright."
Lions great Simon Black, a part of that early-2000s three-peat, backed the list to deliver.
"There's not too many guys who are going to be over the cliff and retire in the next year or two," he said.
"They've got the opportunity to do it again, no doubt, with their list demographic."
There is speculation over Joe Daniher's future but Brisbane have youngsters like Will Ashcroft, Kai Lohmann and Logan Morris stepping up, and good news awaiting on the injury front.
Keidean Coleman, Lincoln McCarthy, Darcy Gardiner, recruit Tom Doedee and Kalin Lane will all look to return after missing the triumph through ACL ruptures.
"They're all back for round one and they're all quality players who'll play in our first side," Berry said.
"Competition for spots is gonna be hot. I can't worry about it too much now but it's definitely gonna come."
Exuberant young defender Darcy Wilmot had no doubts over Brisbane's ability to back up.
"For sure. As soon as you get a taste of that, you just want to get more licks of the ice cream," he told AAP.
"For sure it'd be a massive (motivation) and something that's gonna drive us into next year.
"I want more, we all want more."
Joining those youngsters will be gun academy product Sam Marshall and father-son selection Levi Ashcroft, the No.1 pick contender and younger brother of newly-anointed Norm Smith Medallist Will Ashcroft.
"If he's anything like his brother, gee whiz, they're gonna be a good duo," defender Jack Payne told AAP.
Co-captain Lachie Neale focused on enjoying the triumph, but also had faith in the club's youth.
"This group's amazing and quite young still as well," he said.
"Our young guys stood up today, they stood up all finals series and I believe we can (go back-to-back).
"But I won't be thinking about that for a couple of weeks."
