Hawthorn are two wins, one spot on the AFL ladder and light years ahead of where they were this time last season.
They will go into Saturday's massive MCG clash with Richmond full of confidence after dismantling arch-rivals Essendon by 56 points a week ago.
The Hawks are top and on the surface they look only marginally better off than this time last season.
Then, Hawthorn would go on to win the minor premiership and looked well-placed for their 11th flag.
But Adelaide's brave challenge nearly toppled them in their preliminary final and Sydney's even-mightier effort a week later caused one of the AFL's great grand final boilovers.
The difference when comparing Hawthorn to round 19 last year - something that doesn't show up on the premiership ladder - is that this year's version is in much more robust shape.
They haven't had four losses by round nine, meaning they've been able to pace themselves better.
The last time Hawthorn played Richmond was round nine last season, when Jack Riewoldt kicked six goals and the Tigers pumped them by 62 pints.
Coach Alastair Clarkson said again on Friday that Hawthorn played their best football last year in July and August - not in September.
"We're pleased we've been able to win games in June-July this year without necessarily having to play our best footy," Clarkson said.
"Last week was probably the best we've played for some time.
"We're also mindful we need to produce our best footy when that matters the most and that's in September."
The "will he, won't he" speculation about Lance Franklin's potential move to Greater Western Sydney has not affected his form - he destroyed Essendon with eight goals.
Ruckman Max Bailey is finally fit again, freeing up Jarryd Roughead for an All-Australian season where he has mainly played as a key forward with occasional lethal bursts as a ruck-rover.
Captain Luke Hodge is also rejuvenated after struggling with injuries last year.
Last month, Hawthorn dramatically dropped veteran midfielder Brad Sewell for a week.
There's nothing like the omission of a hugely-respected team-mate to drive home the message about required standards.
This week they could afford to drop Jonathan Simpkin - far from their worst player this season - to give him more game time in the VFL.
In comes Shaun Burgoyne, an important utility who is back from suspension.
Hawthorn in the past have been notorious for racking up tribunal penalties and then having carryover points and loadings hanging over them for the finals.
This year it's the turn of their fierce rivals Geelong to have that problem.
Clarkson calls it "swings and roundabouts", but you won't hear him complaining about it, either.
No-one is suggesting yet that the Hawks are the team to beat for the flag. For a start, there's the matter of their 11-game losing streak against Geelong.
But five games out from the finals, they're building - not scrambling.
