The spirit of 2016 is alive and well at the Western Bulldogs ahead of the AFL finals.
Just like three years ago, the Bulldogs finished seventh and will bring ominous form into their cut-throat elimination final.
Richmond also made a significant round-23 statement, with their 27-point win over Brisbane meaning the 2017 premiers take a nine-game streak into September.
But the 12.10 (82) to 8.7 (55) win was not enough for the Tigers to snatch second spot and the qualifying final home advantage from the Lions.
The two teams will meet again at the Gabba in a fortnight, with the AFL to confirm the week-one finals schedule on Sunday night.
The Bulldogs shut the door on Adelaide and the other teams vying for a top-eight berth with a thumping 18.13 (121) to 13.9 (87) over the Crows earlier on Sunday in Ballarat.
Significantly for a team that was struggling in attack earlier this season, it is the fourth time in their last five games that the Bulldogs have kicked 100-plus points.
Their barnstorming late-season form has them rated the most dangerous team in this finals series.
There are echoes of 2016, when they stormed to their drought-breaking premiership from the same position.
The Dogs will now meet sixth-placed GWS in an elimination final.
Sunday was an ideal finish to the regular season for the AFL.
The league also boasts a season attendance record for the third year in a row, with a bumper crowd of 76,995 on Sunday at the MCG.
Heading into Sunday’s last three games, the only confirmed top-eight finish was GWS in sixth spot.
But the Bulldogs’ win tipped Hawthorn out of eighth place, which the Hawks held briefly after Saturday night’s upset win over West Coast, and shut the door on Port Adelaide as well.
West Coast’s disastrous 38-point home loss to Hawthorn cost the defending premiers a top-four berth.
They will host Essendon in the other elimination final.
Collingwood’s 11-point win over the Bombers on Friday night ultimately put them into the top four and they will play Geelong in the other qualifying final.
But the Magpies and Bombers have major injury concerns out of round 23.
Collingwood defender Darcy Moore has hamstring tightness and Bombers backman Michael Hurley might not play again this season because of a shoulder injury.
Geelong’s solid Saturday night win over Carlton was a welcome form boost and secured them the minor premiership at Brisbane’s expense.
GWS also needed their home win over lowly Gold Coast after a big form wobble in the last few weeks.
Giants star Jeremy Cameron bagged nine goals to win the Coleman Medal, three clear of Ben Brown, who only managed two goals in their win over Melbourne.
Sydney star Lance Franklin bagged four goals in the win over St Kilda as the Swans farewelled Kieren Jack and Jarrad McVeigh.