WEDNESDAY night's QClash at the Gabba is a chance for Gold Coast to rubber stamp its dramatic improvement in 2020.
Although many outsiders were fixated on the Suns' winless streak of six matches before their last-start thumping of North Melbourne, what they've accomplished this season should not be glossed over.
In fact, the progression is strikingly similar to that of Big Brother Brisbane in 2018.
Two years ago - Chris Fagan's second season in charge at the Lions - they won just five games, but laid the platform for the success that has ensued.
LADDER PREDICTOR Can your team make the eight?
Brisbane took its percentage from 74 in 2017 to 89 in 2018, became much more difficult to score against (115 points a game down to 93) and showcased the key young pillars it would rely upon in years to come.
Second-year players Hugh McCluggage (22 games), Jarrod Berry (21) and Alex Witherden (21) were regular, while No.1 draft pick Cam Rayner did not miss a game.
Harris Andrews was already a lock in defence and vying for All-Australian selection in his fourth season, while Eric Hipwood was nailing down the key post at the other end of the ground with 37 goals in his third year.
It was far from all bouquets and confetti for Brisbane as it lost five games by seven points or less.
One of the endearing images of 2018 was Fagan putting his arm around a disconsolate Rayner just moments after the teenager had missed a potential game-winning goal against North Melbourne in round 20.
He'd also missed a chance to draw on the siren earlier in the year against the Suns.
Not even the most ardent Lions fan would have expected a jump from five wins to 16 last season and a spot in two finals, but that was the progression they made with the help of off-season acquisition Lachie Neale.
The Suns are treading a similar path in 2020.
After 14 matches, they have five wins and a draw and have bumped their percentage from a diabolical 60 last season to 101.8 this season.
Stuart Dew's men have dropped their points conceded from 101 to 60, which would convert to 75 in full length games. They are vastly improved.
The key long-term pillars are now all visibly in place, exposing 21-and-under players Charlie Ballard (13), Wil Powell (12), Ben King (14), Jack Lukosius (14), Noah Anderson (14) and Connor Budarick (14) to a stack of senior games.
Then there's Matt Rowell, who took the footy world by storm in four full games before dislocating his shoulder, and Izak Rankine, who has threatened to win numerous matches off his own boot with his exhilarating skills and instinct.
It's easy to picture the Suns having success from this platform.
Fagan says he can see the similarities to his own team.
"For us, when we started to make our rise, one of the first things we improved was our percentage," he said.
"I'd say they're in a similar spot to what we were a year or two ago and are really on the improve.
FAGAN COMES OUT FIRING Lions not reliant on Harris Andrews, says the coach
"We're expecting the toughest of games."
And just like Brisbane, Gold Coast has experienced its share of heartache this year, losing twice by under a goal and drawing another.
Rankine missed a late set shot against the Western Bulldogs and failed to make the distance on another in the draw against Essendon, and his side was unlucky not to defeat finals-bound St Kilda.
Sound familiar?
"Sort of reminds me of us a couple of years ago," Brisbane captain Dayne Zorko said.
"We were so close without getting the results.
"You keep toiling away and that will eventually change for you."
As Fagan did two years ago, Dew has been patient, pushing the young players forward when he could have opted for more experienced hands.
Powell has played when Brayden Fiorini might have pushed for a spot, King has played through quiet patches when Peter Wright was crying out for a game.
Dew knows the significance of finishing well against Brisbane, Collingwood and Hawthorn.
"We'd love to keep winning," he said.
"For us to play, and play well, is really important, and if we happen to beat Brisbane and put a little dent in its (top four) chances, that's a good thing.
"We'd love to finish with real momentum. We've talked about how we finish the year is how we're going to start (pre-season) training.
"This week is important to us and the next three games are going to tell a story."
A story that has a lot to be written.
