While not quite the same circumstances or quality of mark as Leo Barry's Grand Final grab, an uncontested mark to Jared Polec on the goal line has nonetheless ended up as the difference between Port Adelaide and Brisbane.
The Power's narrow 14.13 (97) to 14.8 (92) victory over the gallant Brisbane could have been a far different affair, had Polec not prevented a final, desperate bid from the young Lions.
Heading to a venue where they hold a record of no wins and five defeats with an average losing margin of 91 points, many gave the Lions close to no chance against the premiership fancies in the Power.
Losing captain and star midfielder Dayne Beams before the bounce only stacked the cards further against the plucky young Lions, as those who hadn't already ruled them out certainly crossed them out.
But against the script, it was the Lions who came flying out of the starting blocks.
Showing electric ball movement and precision kicking, the Lions jumped the gun with a two-goal lead, both of which came off the boot of the vastly underrated recruit, Charlie Cameron.
The Power asserted their class and dominance through the middle of the quarter, but failed to finish on many occasions, leaving the first quarter with only a six-point lead.
The second quarter was the Lions, led by mobile ruckman Stefan Martin the Lions piled on five goals to two, but akin to the Power failed to convert also adding six behinds.
As Brisbane hunted the ball and man parallel to a pride of Lions in the Serengeti and were the leaders heading into half time by seventeen points.
But much like their first two clashes this year, the Lions failed to repeat their second quarter heroics as the old firm of Justin Westhoff, Ollie Wines, Travis Boak, Robbie Grey and Hamish Hartlett all turned it on to lead the power to a seven-goal quarter.
A late goal to Cedric Cox steadied the Lions as they went into three-quarter time just 18 points down.
As fatigue and exhaustion kicked in after the final change, perhaps surprisingly it was the Lions who once more showed more toe and class, kicking three goals to reduce the margin to under one straight kick.
Perhaps a Port of old may have rolled over and let the Lions storm home, but great defensive efforts and Polec's final mark on the goal line allowed them to repel the rampaging Lions and improve to 3-0 in season 2018.
Even in the final minute the Lions still had a chance to steal the game again, with a Martin kick inside the 50 being marked by Dougal Howard as the final siren went.
Determined to the very end, the Lions will be gutted for the third consecutive week their endeavour and unrivalled hard work has yet to reap any rewards.
The Power meanwhile will be breathing a massive sigh of relief as they continue to assert their claim they are the real deal to win the flag.
Port Adelaide will travel to Etihad Stadium to take on the in-form Essendon next week, while the road trip continues for Brisbane as they head to the MCG to take on the reigning premiers in Richmond.
PORT ADELAIDE 4.6 7.7 14.8 14.13 (97)
BRISBANE 4.0 9.6 11.8 14.8 (92)
GOALS
Port Adelaide: S. Gray 3, Motlop 2, Boak, Rockliff, Marshall, Wingard, Watts, R. Gray, Dixon, Ebert, Westhoff
Brisbane: Hipwood 3, Cameron 3, McCluggage 2, Cox, Cutler, Christensen, Zorko, Robertson, Rayner
BEST
Port Adelaide: Polec, S. Gray, Wines, Hartlett, Ebert
Brisbane: Martin, Cutler, Zorko, Robinson, Christensen
INJURIES
Port Adelaide: Wines (rolled ankle), Houston (concussion)
Brisbane: Beams (illness, did not play)
TALKING POINTS
1. BRISBANE ARE UNLUCKY TO BE 0-3
The Lions, along with North Melbourne and Gold Coast were preemptively ruled out of impressing this season, in part due to their less-than-memorable seasons last year.
Yet the three have defied expectation, with the Lions rising above the pack with a strong, determined and driven young group.
Putting in exceptional performances against St Kilda and Melbourne, Brisbane were unlucky not to come away with the four points from either game, after clawing their way back in each match and giving their opposition more than a fair fright.
The same occurred against Port Adelaide, with the tough Lions narrowly going down by five points in what was an inspiring team performance.
Hold your head high, Lions.
A win seems elusive at this point, but it will come soon.
2. BEAMS IN, LIONS WIN?
It was meant to be his 150th game this week, but Dayne Beams was unfortunately a no-show, being ruled out of the match through illness.
Had Beams been fit and in the side however, one can't help but wonder if Brisbane would have got the chocolates with his presence.
Brisbane won the clearances 33-41, yet were down in the centre clearances 14-12.
The vital inclusion of Beams, who last season averaged just under five clearances a game, might have been a crucial factor to turn the tide in the Lions' favour.
Granted, you can't bank success on one player, but his inclusion would nonetheless have been integral to the gutted Brisbane.
3. PORT ADELAIDE ARE Still Contenders
Despite their fright, the Power can still hold onto their claim they are genuine premiership contenders for season 2018.
Even though they were down in the hit-outs 22-55, the Power were still able to push their way through the centre thanks to their sleek ball movement and eventually come away with a five-point victory.
Port's solid defence and ability to pile on goals (seven in the third quarter) still cements them as hot favourites for the flag this year.
With Paddy Ryder still absent, watch out for Port Adelaide's might when he makes his return.
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