The juggernaut that is Hawthorn is back. While coach Alastair Clarkson praised his side's character after their 22-point win over Port Adelaide on Thursday night, statistics show the Hawks are now travelling even better than they were last year.
It's been defensively where they have made a major statement in the past month, and why they are well placed to claim a fourth-straight flag. Up until round 10, they had conceded an average of 93.1 points per game. Since round 11, that's been slashed to 66 points – four points fewer than their league-best 2015 average.
Only the Swans have conceded less points in the last month – adding to the blockbuster billing of Thursday night's clash against the Swans at the SCG.
Opponents are still averaging 47 inside-50s per game but, once inside that attacking arc, are finding it increasingly difficult to score. The Hawks' midfield pressure appears to have also lifted, meaning their opponents are being allowed less clinical movement inside 50.
Rivals had a scoring percentage accuracy of 64.7 up until round 11 – that has dipped to 56.6 per cent, suggesting they are now being forced to kick from tighter angles or further out.
They have also lifted their own scoring, averaging 102.6 points per game since round 11, although that still had been a strong 100 points up until that point. They had averaged a league-high 111.5 points last season.
Clarkson set the scene for the successful trip to Adelaide when he challenged the inconsistent Power over their toughness. It was a comment which appeared to lift his side.
"We've been quite poor against this side for a period of time and it was time that we took a stand," Clarkson said.
"[My comments] were pointed to the footy community, Port Adelaide, Hawthorn and the whole footy world – we're a much better club than what we've performed at against Port Adelaide in the past.
"We needed to put everyone on notice that we weren't going to come here and lie down, we weren't going to be ambushed."
Clarkson is arguably the finest coach of the modern era, so it would be a considerable achievement to ambush the top-of-the-table Hawks.
They have lost only three matches this year, and will head to Sydney on the back of six-straight wins. But they may be without Liam Shiels, who experienced hamstring tightness and finished the match on the bench. His absence could be off-set by the return of Tim O'Brien, a late withdrawal because of illness.
What appears almost certain is that the clash between the Hawks and Swans will be another ratings winner.
Ratings were again strong for the Adelaide Oval clash, and may prompt a push for more Thursday fixtures.
The figures from this latest clash were so pivotal for free-to-air broadcaster Channel Seven that they allowed the network to vault into the lead for primary-channel ratings in Melbourne, leaving Seven two points clear of Nine. Seven had already been clear on five-city metropolitan figures.
An average of 335,000 Melbourne homes (and peak of 411,000) tuned in, making it the second-most watched show of the night behind Ten's MasterChef. Fox Footy also enjoyed a strong night (281,000 nationally).