Brisbane, Collingwood, Geelong and Hawthorn — an exciting line-up of destination clubs dubbed the big four of the century.

But what is the formula for their success?

Since 2000, at least one of these teams have made it to the grand final on all but seven occasions.

Not to mention Geelong has made the preliminary final in six of the last seven years and now the grand final for a third time in five years.

Last month AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon conceded there were "too many" lopsided games in 2025, with the gap between the best teams and the bad teams seeming as wide as ever.

It's a genuine puzzle for the AFL.

But there's enough proof to suggest there isn't a sole answer as to why these four clubs have been so elite for so long.

It's easier for fans to point blame at the draft, l

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