Boom team Greater Western Sydney have the chance to win an AFL premiership quicker than any other side in the modern era, but they will have to do it this year.
The Giants are one of several teams in contention in what shapes as the most open competition in years.
Betting institutions have had as many as four teams down as favourites or joint favourites at times this season and that's not counting pacesetters North Melbourne.
The Giants haven't been one of those teams, but their odds have shortened considerably since the season started, from around $50 to single figures.
Their impressive 42-point win on Sunday over a Sydney team rated as one of the favourites is sure to heighten talk they are genuine flag contenders.
Should they triumph in the grand final it would be a remarkable feat as the youthful Giants are in just the fifth year of their AFL existence.
None of the other non-Victorian clubs set up from scratch in South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland in the past 30 years have won a title that quickly.
However, West Coast achieved the feat in their sixth season.
On paper the sixth-placed Giants appear to have the best run to the finals of any of the current top eight.
They play just two of their last 10 matches against other teams in that category, less than any other present top-eight occupant.
The Kangaroos theoretically have the toughest run home with seven of their last 10 matches, including all of their last four, against other current top eight incumbents.
Second-placed Geelong have four top-eight sides to play, but none in the final four rounds.
West Coast were favoured by many as the team to end the era of Hawthorn dominance, but they have lost all five of their games against other clubs in the eight.
THE AFL EXPANSION CLUBS WHO WERE THE QUICKEST TO WIN A FLAG FROM INCEPTION
WEST COAST (1992), sixth season
ADELAIDE, (1997) seventh season
PORT ADELAIDE (2004) eighth season
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