The big lesson from the last two finals rounds is you need to get most of the bodies around the contest, which the Bullies and Richmond clearly did best, and a good set up behind the ball in case the opposition take it forward (nearly always under pressure), which they also did best.
In some respects what happens forward of the pack doesn't matter a huge amount - if you're getting it forward from contested play constantly, or rebounding when your opponents get it forward, the opportunities will come. Not to say you shouldn't have effective forwards - big guys, little guys, whatever – it's just that they won't win the game.
That's what we had in 2013 - 15 until the physical pressure of the style got to us (like it did with Bullies, don't put your house on the Tigers in '18). That's what keeps Sydney up there year after year.