IT'S taken a bit longer than many thought, but we're now starting to get a glimpse why the Brisbane Lions were lauded for having one of the best off-season recruitment drives in the AFL.
With all due respect to Hawthorn landing James Frawley, Port Adelaide getting Paddy Ryder and Geelong snaring Mitch Clark, the Lions' trio of Dayne Beams, Allen Christensen and Mitch Robinson was a hard package to top.
Not only were the young Lions getting premiership experience, they were getting undoubted class in Beams and Christensen, and a rugged edge in Robinson they previously lacked.
Through a winless first five weeks in which they were thumped by an average of close to 10 goals, it was hard to see any rays of light for the listless Lions.
But following the breakthrough win over Carlton seven days earlier, and Sunday night's upset over Port Adelaide, things have turned quickly.
And it's no surprise just who's at the forefront.
Beams (32 disposals, seven clearances, one goal) was neck-and-neck with Daniel Rich for best-afield honours against the Power, while Robinson (16 disposals and three goals) played his best game for his new club.
Christensen chipped in with two goals during a second quarter rampage that set-up the Lions victory, and is generally working into the season after a slow start.
Beams is in the top 10 in the AFL for disposals, clearances and contested possessions through the first third of the season, and along with Stefan Martin would be leading the Lions' best and fairest.
He has been a constant in a spluttering season.
On the team front, the former Collingwood midfielder said he hoped the past fortnight was a sign of things to come.
"We've got a lot of younger players and you're going to get inconsistencies with that," Beams told AFL.com.au.
"We didn't start the way we wanted to and it caught a few of us on the back foot, but we've knuckled down and been able to turn it around the last couple of weeks.
"The challenge for us is now is not becoming complacent because we've had a couple of good wins.
"We're under no illusions where we're at. We're still developing as a group, we're still learning one another and hopefully we can grow as a group with a couple of wins under our belt."
Beams' role has noticeably changed in the past two weeks with the return of skipper Tom Rockliff from injury, but contributions have also started coming from elsewhere.
No-one could question Robinson's commitment in the opening rounds (he had 10 tackles from half-forward against West Coast), but execution often let the former Carlton hard-man down.
Against Port he got reward for effort, banging through a 55m goal and having some numbers to go alongside the spoiling, harassing and general dirty work that wins him a spot each week.
Christensen has mirrored his team's form, struggling mightily early and looking off the pace, but now contributing as their fortunes turn.
But the one who has not wavered is Beams.
With Rockliff (ribs and concussion) missing for much of the first five rounds, Beams was forced inside the contest for the majority of his playing time.
Now with Rockliff back, and Jack Redden, Rich and Dayne Zorko taking some inside heat, Beams has been able to slip forward and have more impact with the creative side of his game.
"You've got to play what's required of you," he said.
"I think the first few weeks we missed Rocky a lot and Pearce Hanley hasn't been playing, so I was required to play more inside.
"We've got Rocky back now and Richy and Reddo are playing well, so I'm happy to get a bit of outside ball.
"I don't mind getting on the end of a couple and kicking a couple of goals."
Justin Leppitsch and the Lions' recruiting team won't mind seeing that either.
