When Brisbane lost to Hawthorn by 25 points in round 11, they languished in 13th on the ladder.
Since that defeat, the Lions have won nine games in a row, are second on the ladder and are now premiership favourites.
Ten weeks is a long time in football.
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Why Brisbane Lions started slow in 2024
Having been in the 2023 grand final, Brisbane would have started pre-season later than other clubs - and it seemed that flowed on to the 2024 season in their performances.
A tough start to the season against finals contenders Carlton, Fremantle and Collingwood saw the Lions slip to 0-3.
Not only was their form down, but several crucial injuries affected the squad.
Their main half-back rebounder Keidean Coleman tore his ACL, while season-ending knee injuries were also suffered by Lincoln McCarthy, Darcy Gardiner and Tom Doedee.
Will Ashcroft was also out for the first half of the season with his own ACL injury suffered last season.
Despite none of the absentees being superstars, most had crucial roles in the Lions system and the team seemed to struggle while figuring out their replacements.
Why Brisbane Lions are now premiership favourites in 2024
It took half the season but the Lions gradually learned to thrive without their missing players.
Dayne Zorko was deployed as the half-back creative force to fill Coleman's role and has been in career-best form since.
The likes of Kai Lohmann, Callum Ah Chee and Logan Morris have become threats in attack to offset the loss of McCarthy.
Despite losing solid defensive options Gardiner and Doedee, Harris Andrews has returned to All Australian form, while the ever-dependable Ryan Lester has had an excellent campaign.
Across the last six weeks, Cam Rayner has been the most devastating forward/midfielder in the competition, averaging 2.33 goals and 17 disposals a match.
The Lions midfield core of Lachie Neale, Hugh McCluggage and Josh Dunkley have also hit their straps, particularly as Ashcroft is now part of the rotation.
Who can stop Brisbane Lions winning the AFL premiership?
Sydney were the long-time premiership fancy in 2024 but after losing five of their last six games, including a defeat to Brisbane and 112-point loss to Port Adelaide, they don't appear capable of winning the flag.
Despite being seventh on the ladder and only just poking their nose into the top eight, Western Bulldogs appear to be a challenger following four wins in a row over Carlton, Geelong, Sydney and Melbourne.
Port Adelaide are another side hitting form at the right time of season, with five wins out of their past six, including the belting they handed out to Sydney.
Other teams in the eight, Carlton, GWS, Fremantle and GWS, seem to be just short of the required quality to be premiership contenders in 2024.
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