The second week of May seems pretty early for a de facto elimination final, but that’s how Sunday’s clash between Adelaide and Brisbane is being described in some quarters.

This was supposed to be the season the Lions finally cashed in on five years of finals under Chris Fagan, but it’s rapidly turning into a disaster, first form eluding last year’s runner-up, and now injuries cutting a swathe through Brisbane’s list.

Adelaide, meanwhile, were the proverbial non-finalist with a bullet, widely expected to shoot up the charts in 2024 with some added experience and just a tiny bit more luck in close finishes.