At 35, Geelong captain Patrick Dangerfield still has a fierce glint in his eye and the ability to turn a game on a dime.
In Brisbane's half-back line, Dayne Zorko remains a pivotal part of how the Lions transition from defence to attack, with his scything kicking only improving with age.
The 36-year-old will be the second oldest man, behind Hawthorn great Michael Tuck, to suit up in a grand final.
Make no mistake, both Dangerfield and Zorko will be crucial to how Saturday's contest plays out.
Dangerfield, who was among the best afield in the Cats' 2022 triumph, when Joel Selwood was skipper, is chasing his second premiership but first since assuming the captaincy.
It comes just eight days after Dangerfield reminded everyone of his big-game credentials.
Dangerfield delivered one of the great finals performances, putting Geelong on his back with three goals and 31 disposals - including 20 contested possessions - in the preliminary-final win over Hawthorn.
"We saw what he's been able to do in finals over the years but in particular on the weekend, the way he threw his body at the contest," key forward Jeremy Cameron said.
"We know he does that, but when it's on ground level it just didn't look like he was going to lose the contest and he sends it our way, hit the scoreboard as well. He pretty much did everything for us.
"So he'll get himself up for another big game pretty easily."
Selwood has marvelled at Dangerfield from close quarters and more recently from afar - and certainly wasn't shocked by his preliminary-final heroics.
"Hopefully he's got one more in him," Selwood said.
"He had a look in his eye the other night that I've seen before and it was an exceptional performance.
"They'll need something close to it again because this Lions side keep backing up."
Nobody backs up better than Zorko - a player who has grown with the Lions from their days in the doldrums to their current era of success.
Zorko, a player who talks the talk and walks the walk, has also proved a difficult man for the Cats to handle in recent times.
He has collected 35, 33, 28, 32 and 26 disposals in their past five meetings.
But Zorko played down suggestions Geelong could attempt to lock him down.
"Nah, probably not," Zorko said.
"Given how important their small forwards are ... I think as a back six, we're gonna have our hands pretty full.
"... But if that happens, it happens - it's nothing new to me."
Zorko, who has played 303 games despite debuting at the relatively late age of 23, is soaking up a third tilt at glory in as many years.
"It's probably something I'll look back on after my career and be ever so grateful for everything the Brisbane Lions have given me and the opportunities they've given me," he said.
"So I'll probably right now just stay in the moment and enjoy it.
"It's such a great week, right?"
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