.In the area of one shot, 18 clubs has actually ended up being eight - as the absolute most attractive opportunity of the AFL season begins on Thursday night using finals footy. As well as keeping that, the microscope on those who remain has just magnified as they chase the 2024 premiership cup.Fox Footy's On The Couch staff on Monday night analyzed every group's largest question, and also highlighted 8 X-Factors for this finals collection - as well as a pointer for the four matches.Watch the most effective coverage of the 2024 AFL finals, with specialist study as well as every activity until the Grand Final deal with no ad-breaks during play, on Kayo. New to Kayo? Begin your free trial today > Finals Week 1IMAGINE WHAT YOU CAN BE BUYING AS AN ALTERNATIVE. Totally free as well as private support call 1800u00a0858u00a0858 or explore gamblinghelponline.org.au.No top 4 groups in Premiership window?|01:37 FINALS WEEK 1 FIXTURE AS WELL AS KNOTTY QUESTION (Perpetuity AEST) PORT ADELAIDE v GEELONGThursday September 5, 7:40 pm at the Adelaide OvalHow to see on Fox Footy: Coming from 6:30 pm along with Sarah Jones, Jason Dunstall, David King, Leigh Montagna, Result Ricciuto, Eddie Betts & Jon RalphPower's sixty-four-thousand-dollar question: What does Ken make with Tom Stewart?Five- time All-Australian Feline Tom Stewart is actually plainly effectively appreciated by Energy instructor Ken Hinkley-- a lot to ensure that it's actually been actually to his detriment throughout the final pair of years. In each of Stewart's final 3 matches, the protector has actually been secured hard through Energy pressure onward Jed McEntee, that most recently supported him to thirteen disposals in their straight match-- 3 of which were actually kick-ins. "Last opportunity, Jed McEntee was actually using him as a defensive onward, Stewart started as a half-backer as well as remained there for the game-- (McEntee) really voided his impact on the game," Brisbane Lions champ Jonathan Brown revealed on Fox Footy's On The Chair. "Stewart's been beginning a little bit much more via the midfield (since Round 9), therefore McEntee will come from half forward as well as climb to Stewart (if he participates in midfield)-- does that method that a Tuohy or maybe a Jack Henry has the capacity to receive alone as an and also one?" Collingwood legend Nathan Buckley added.McEntee's excellence on Stewart was the catalyst for Tom Stewart moving into the midfield for the backside of this particular season-- yet while the 23-year-old has actually labelled him properly at one end of the ground, he is actually however to accomplish the very same in the midfield, which could paradoxically induce both trains migraines structurally. Inside midfielder Willem Drew has formerly been made use of as a negator of adversary super stars in the midfield as well as at standstill, yet extra lately has actually been actually discovering his personal footy and hurting competitors on misdemeanor. role" This is just one of the earliest of gamers heading to Tom Stewart and saying: 'You are actually certainly not possessing it on your conditions as you have for the last four or 5 years, as well as it ended up being the incentive for adjustment-- he received labelled away from this half-back position," Melbourne terrific Garry Lyon took note." McEntee's the one, and you desire to maintain Drew as the fella that could always keep Dangerfield answerable, specifically in contests," Buckley ended by saying. McEntee went back to the senior edge in Sphere 24 against Fremantle after a stint in the SANFL, and has played 13 activities in 2024-- a lot of which have been as a defensive forward in a duty where the universal stat piece doesn't say to the total tale of his impact.Port's wildcard: Charlie Dixon" Charlie's been actually irregular, yet I presume he is actually heading to be essential-- together with (Esava) Ratugolea ... especially against those good obstruct denoting gamers for Geelong,"-- BrownPort certain they can deal with personal injuries|01:48 Cats' sixty-four-thousand-dollar question: How perform they stop Port's midfield?Chris Scott has been challenged with a wide variety of talent-heavy midfields in his time as both a gamer and trainer, and Slot Adelaide's this Thursday evening will certainly be absolutely no exception.Power captain Connor Rozee leads a motor space that will certainly have each of Zak Butters, Jason Horne-Francis, Ollie Red Wines, Willem Drew and Travis Boak running through it on Thursday evening-- leaving two-time premiership trainer Scott along with a great deal to think about." They've been actually dominant all year it's an all-star midfield actually isn't it, especially the midfielders. Horne-Francis was unbelievable in the 1st 40 moments to establish that big top during that Sphere 9 game," Jonathan Brown mentioned to On The Sofa." Ollie Red Wines (has) had an awesome year, as has Zak Butters, as has Jason Horne-Francis-- that I believe is the most destructive midfielder in the competition." Ken Hinkley's edge streamed Geelong absolutely off the park in the earlier aspect of the 2024 period, at some phase venturing out to an eight-goal lead properly just before fifty percent time.The Pet cats absolutely spared style in the second fifty percent, and also almost turned the top in a second-half surge at GMHBA Coliseum-- however inevitably fell short by one significant." Geelong were in the middle of looking at their mid-season depression (in Shot 9), and also Port Adelaide put one of their far better performances (with each other), and they may put those elite games with each other," Nathan Buckley proceeded." Pair of crucial reductions though for Port Adelaide-- Kane Farrell (hamstring) as well as Dan Houston (revocation)-- they acquire a lot of their run and also bring coming from there, to ensure that may be actually difficult for Slot Adelaide if they're shedding clearance," included Brown.And besides their losses on a wing and also one-half back, the Energy will definitely also need to brace for the possible surge that is Jeremy Cameron-- that has remained in truly powerful introducing this year's finals series. A bag of nine goals against North Melbourne and six versus Adelaide in his final 4 suits produces him an intimidating activity for most likely match-up Aliir Aliir, yet it undoubtedly will not be overseas." Aliir Aliir carried out a respectable project (on Cameron) last opportunity 18 fingertips, 1.1 - tolerable amounts for a vital forward, however he failed to have any type of true influence on the video game," said Brown." Our experts have found Jeremy Cameron produce chaos on hostility guardians when he solves up the industry."" That is actually when he's at his very most dangerous believe Colleague Franklin when he gets out of bed (the ground) and also arcs back on his left side foot," Buckley completed by saying.If the Cats can get the ball right into Cameron's palms-- everywhere he discovers themself about the ground-- they'll be every possibility of protecting a home preliminary last, yet their 1st activity will be to squash Slot's midfield.Geelong's wildcard: Patrick Dangerfield" At the end of the time, if they are actually mosting likely to go all the way to premiership grandeur once more, it is actually visiting be on the back of Patrick Dangerfield ... he needs to have to produce an additional enormous fine September for Geelong to go all the way.Jonathan Brown's recommendation: Slot Adelaide by 15 pointsHow perform the Felines cease Horne-Francis & co?|05:16 WESTERN SIDE BULLDOGS v HAWTHORNFriday September 6, 7:40 pm at the MCGHow to view on Fox Footy: From 6:20 pm with Garry Lyon, Jonathan Brown, Nathan Buckley, Jordan Lewis, Brad Johnson, Ben Dixon & Jon RalphBulldogs' burning question: Do they lose velocity for experience?Luke Beveridge has actually been actually toying with this question for most of the season, does he trust his expert experts to do the job on the huge stage or will definitely he turn to his younger brigade?Melbourne champion Garry Lyon vomitted two labels who can happen under assortment heat energy this week, relying on what Beveridge determines to value even more at the variety table ahead of a must-win last versus the in-form Hawks." It's certainly not all on Port Macrae and Caleb Daniel ... however you are actually playing against a Hawthorn edge (where) rate eliminates," Lyon mentioned on Fox Footy's On The Sofa. Macrae rose coming from the replacement function for the clash versus the Giants in circular 24, gathering 23 disposals and 7 tackles, having amassed 2 goals from 17 contacts in minimal time on ground the full week prior to versus North Melbourne. Caleb Daniel, another Dog who has actually been actually out-of-favour this year, has played the last 5 suits, completing his last outing with 23 fingertips and also a goal. However the Hawks do not hold back, they run and gun and leave no rock unchecked, which might result in troubles for Beveridge as well as his coaching team. The similarity Jarman Impey, Karl Amon and also Josh Weddle are electrical in the rear fifty percent, regularly producing recoiling travel. The Hawks rate 2nd in the competition for post-clearance opposed possession and are the most effective in the circle at post-clearance ground balls. The Western Bulldogs can stretch an undersized Hawthorn support, yet that performs leave all of them along with a minimal capability to contend with Hawthorn's operating activity. So, can they afford to play slower players up the ground given their high visibility ahead of centre? "You've reached be able to match all of them, because these three high ahead, are they visiting be able to operate half the ground and try put some stress on?" Lyon inquired. The Hawks extended the Pets like they haven't been actually extended just before back in round eight, yet Collingwood champ Nathan Buckley strongly believes the Bulldogs' proving versus the GWS Giants in Ballarat recently was a positive indication. "What I observed coming from the Bulldogs pair of weeks earlier, GWS love to play like that (quick footy) - Hawthorn, their run as well as hold is actually designed a little about what the Giants have done the last number of years and the Bulldogs managed to contrain that with fierce stress, and also's precisely what they're visiting need to carry out," Buckley stated. Will Bevo sacrifice speed for encounter this weekend?Bulldogs' finals wildcard: The Three Huge Canines" These kids are actually heading to go at it-- Darcy, Ugle-Hagan and Naughton ... they've resided in tearing scar ... I presume Aaron Naughton's obtained the prospective to truly leave the lead, a great deal interest's mosting likely to go into the various other pair of."-- Garry LyonBig Canine readied to beast rapid Hawks?|03:37 Hawks' sixty-four-thousand-dollar question: Can they deal with Bulldogs' key forward mafia?The Hawks have appeared at risk to major essential forwards all period as well as the Pets have 3 complete tools during that space. There is actually no doubt that the three-headed beast of Aaron Naughton, Sam Darcy and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan would possess given Hawks instructor Sam Mitchell some sleepless nights this previous week. "These boys are heading to differ-- Darcy, Ugle-Hagan and Naughton-- I believe Marcus Bontempelli will stretch them also and make an effort and also get ahead," Melbourne champion Garry Lyon pointed out on Fox Footy's On The Couch. Over the final 7 suits, the Bulldogs trio have actually integrated for approximately 5.7 targets, 19.6 rating involvements and 7.4 proofs inside 50 per game. "They've resided in ripping scar ... I presume Aaron Naughton's received the potential to really get off the chain, so much focus's going to enter the various other pair of," Lyon included." The fantastic trait is also, those kids may separate as well as get some one-on-one's, no question concerning it-- that makes the defensive face to face competitions for Hawthorn's protectors crucial," Brisbane Lions champion Jonathan Brown replied. Earlier this time in Geelong's major victory over the Hawks, Felines spearhead Jeremy Cameron created Mitchell as well as his coaching personnel plenty of problems, booting 4.4 coming from 19 disposals. The likes of Sam Frost, James Sicily, Jack Scrimshaw as well as Josh Weddle are effectively and also genuinely heading to have their job suitable them on Friday night. Offered the Hawks' susceptability down back offered the height differentials, gaining the midfield fight will definitely be of the upmost relevance. The Dogs might possess the household names in Marcus Bontempelli, Adam Treloar and also Tom Liberatore, yet Hawthorn's on-ball unit have undoubtedly stood this season. The Hawks rate third in the competitors for contended belongings, sixth for authorizations and eighth for points coming from clearance differential. Admittedly the loss of super star midfielder Will Day will leave behind a discontinuous opening during that unit, but the similarity Jai Newcombe, Conor Nash as well as James Worpel are more than with the ability of standing up in the clinches. Hawks' finals wildcard: Jack Ginnivan" Anzac Day Medallist, likes the large phase and also is actually a premiership player actually. We understand that he's thrived within this atmosphere there, I presume he gets in there along with the Wizard as well as produces all form of chaos down certainly there because rear one-half, the compare for all of them is actually visiting be really notable."-- Garry LyonGarry Lyon's pointer: Bulldogs by 20 pointsSicily opens up on finals clash v Canines|02:16 SYDNEY v HIGHER western side SYDNEYSaturday September 6, 3:20 pm at the SCGHow to watch on Fox Footy: Coming from 2:30 pm along with Sarah Jones, Jason Dunstall, David Master, Leigh Montagna, Dermott Brereton & David ZitaSwans' sixty-four-thousand-dollar question: Have they acquired their mojo back?For a substantial period of your time this period, the Swans seemed like it would simply be a matter of time prior to they secured the premiership. Yet some personal injuries behind time in the season found their momentum halt, succeeding merely one suit in between rounds 16 and also 21. "I think there is actually documentation in the last three full weeks that they performed-- they underwent that parch of 6 weeks in between rounded 16 as well as rounded 21 where they just weren't capable to receive it going they were one gain and also five reductions in that time," Collingwood legend Nathan Buckley pinpointed on Fox Footy's On The Couch. "They offence coughed and also spluttered, they were actually yielding area and credit ratings coming from the return half and the clearance video game they count on so much wasn't certainly there." However since then, the reinforcements have gotten there for the Swans and also has been actually a big reason as to why the Swans have rediscovered their mojo. The Swans positioned 3rd in the final three full weeks of the season for factors for, fourth for aspects conceded from the protective one-half and 9th for approval differential, large remodelings from 13th, 17th as well as 18th throughout that six-week type rut. "Component of that (improvement in type) has actually had the ability to obtain two of their superstars back right into the layer after skipping major chunks of the year," he continued.Those pair of stars are experienced Luke Parker as well as captain Callum Mills. "Luke Parker's returned, small amount of center bounce, goes forward, has actually been attacking the scoreboard and also affecting at clearance," Buckley mentioned." The other one is Callum Mills, who prior to he headed out, he was actually a genuine midfielder, possibly on an airfoil ... and now he is actually gone back to where he cut his pearly whites, which is basically facing target, half-back, really good intercept marking gamer, wants to have the capacity to take that activity on-- I assume they've managed to carry those young boys back into the fold truly effectively." The Swans are actually set to receive a super star quartet of guns back in advance of their qualifying final against the Giants. Defender Tom McCartin and gun midfielder Isaac Heeney will certainly both come back after being handled in the ultimate game of the home and also away season, while ahead Tom Papley (ankle) and also the versatile Justin McInerney (leg) are actually additionally likely to be remembered. Swans' finals wildcard: Tom Papley" If his ankle is 90% fit, the rest of his body system, his mind, he is actually been rested, he'll return in as well as he gives power as well as stimulate, he's cherry enriched prepared to use September."-- Nathan BuckleySwans timid on finals selections|02:16 Giants' sixty-four-thousand-dollar question: May they cease the Swans' slingshot?When the Swans are actually up and operating, they're probably the hardest staff to drop in the competitors. Over to you, Adam Kingsley. Kingsley as well as his mentoring workers are going to need to locate a way to quit Sydney's ability to change the round from protective fifty to the aggressive fifty percent if they are to be in with a shot of triumph on Saturday. "Their back-half ball use asks the inquiry of Adam Kingsley-- exactly how do they prevent them from having the ability to slingshot, because that is actually mosting likely to be the concern that the Giants need to have to address," Buckley said. In their two trips against the Swans this time, the Giants yielded 51 and also thirty three points from the protective one-half. "They have been actually an elite team at scoring coming from the rear one-half as well as the Giants will definitely wish to reduce that Sydney source really promptly and also score off frontal one-half turn overs as much as they potentially can," Buckley carried on. The Swans possess a huge selection of super stars in their stable, including 4 All-Australian's in Isaac Heeney, Errol Gulden, Chad Warner as well as Scar Blakey.That's why the potential availability of tagger Toby Bedford will be crucial.Bedford, a discovery this project, performed an incredible work of undoing Warner in their round 15 clash, restricting the celebrity Swan to only 18 disposals throughout the 89 moments they were actually matched up. Will Kingsley give his best tagger the activity of quiting Warner once again today?" I assume you need to be capable to accomplish the work, the interest in Gulden is perhaps you merely can refrain the work because he works thus hard," Buckley pointed out." They have actually obtained loads of tools that they'll have to keep an eye on however therefore do the Giants." Buckley threw the gauntlet down to the Giants' on-ball brigade to contend with the A-graders at the Swans, particularly offered they dropped that struggle on each occasions this year.In both suits, the Swans won the objected to property, clearances and factors coming from open spaces well." Just how excellent is actually that for Adam Kingsley to be able to toss that to his midfield group as well as mention this is what you are actually mosting likely to be actually determined by," Melbourne champion Garry Lyon added.The Giants have actually won all three finals match-ups versus the Swans in their brief past and also with a preparatory last place vulnerable, there will be actually no lack of motivation for either edge happened Saturday.Giants' finals wildcard: Brent Daniels" It's been three weeks given that he played a video game, when he got concussed behind time in last year's initial last versus Collingwood, he was the player that was very likely to break it open, given that they wanted to launch him coming from his half-forward task as well as discover that gone through the midfield, his final month of footy's been actually massive."-- Nathan BuckleyNathan Buckley's recommendation: Sydney through 13 pointsHiding in plain view - Are actually Swans back?|06:02 BRISBANE v CARLTONSaturday September 6, 7:30 pm at the GabbaHow to view on Fox Footy: From 6:30 pm along with Garry Lyon, Jonathan Brown, Nathan Buckley, Port Riewoldt, Cameron Mooney & David Zita Lions' burning question: How perform they acquire the activity on their terms?Brisbane's greatest is definitely power, yet their worst isn't great on the eye at all.So which Brisbane will surface on Saturday night as well as throughout this year's finals series? The Lions have actually been a solid interruption edge throughout 2024, yet Brisbane champ Jonathan Brown states the club would be far better off trying to produce the video game fast-flowing if you want to manipulate an underdone Carlton side. "I assume a round movement video game would be really pleasant, particularly versus a hindered or undoubtedly underdone Carlton team. When they may obtain their round movement game going, they're the top group in the competitors for this," Brown informed Fox Footy's On The Couch." They create via uncontested marks, yet it is actually a quick design," he added.The Lions began like a home on fire in their Position Sphere clash against cry, starting 7 objectives in the 1st fourth to develop a 31-point top at half-time, before cry swamp all of them in the 2nd half." In the opening sphere in the initial one-fourth, Carlton could possibly not stop Brisbane from receiving from their back fifty percent as well as they racked up intensely coming from the back fifty percent, prior to it after that certainly turned," Buckley claimed." Brisbane would want to see a lot of what they acquired early in the opening round as well as not a great deal of what they got inside the second one-half along with the Blues coming back."" Do not come under the snare of believing they participate in a slow-moving activity if they take 120 marks as well as it's heading to be actually a fast track up there, it is actually going to be actually 30 strange levels," Brown replied.The Lions will definitely gain back protective duo Brandon Starcevich as well as Jackson Payne for the must-win clash. Double Brownlow Medallist Lachie Neale will definitely be actually indispensable for Chris Fagan's edge, as will fellow on-ballers Josh Dunkley and Will Ashcroft. Dayne Zorko will certainly be critical off half-back as they try to relocate the ball with dare and rush, as will definitely young gun Darcy Wilmot.Lions' finals wildcard: Correct goalkicking" The Lions have resided in all-time low four staffs for accuracy facing target for the season ... this is actually why they weren't a best four team considering that they overlook important tries."-- Jonathan BrownLions assuming full durability Blues side|01:41 Blues' burning question: How many coming back players is extremely many?Coaches commonly possess big problems at the choice dining table currently of year, yet Michael Voss truly has six to emulate. The Blues can be bolstered due to the return of 8 front runner players, but the amount of is actually way too many to bring back in before a huge must-win last?" I don't presume there's a particular variety, but I tend to coincide several of the comments that you would certainly be reluctant to go in with individuals that have had delicate tissue injuries," Brown said.Brown carried out not think twice when talked to if he will feature paired high rises Charlie Curnow (ankle joint) and Harry McKay (quad), however the various other choices weren't certainly not necessarily as very clear cut.Brown claimed he would play defender Mitch McGovern as well as utility Zac Williams must they recover eventually coming from their particular hamstring traumas, however wouldn't play Jack Martin, Tom De Koning or even Adam Cerra provided their specific problems. Cry confirmed on Tuesday that inspirational former leader Sam Docherty will produce his return coming from an ACL accident in a significant boost for Michael Voss' side.Docherty will certainly return for the crunch clash just 183 days after he ruptured his ACL versus the same side in Opening Cycle. "He is actually placed a bunch of effort and time right into coming back, and when you prepare your thoughts to one thing-- he's the motivated kind to acquire it carried out," Carlton vice-captain Jacob Weitering said on Tuesday." The boys were fed and also I make certain he'll do a job for our company this weekend." The Blues submitted a video recording of captain Patrick Cripps discussing the news while players remained in the pool, with Docherty's teammates quickly crowding in the direction of him and introducing him airborne. There is actually no doubt that Docherty's return will definitely deliver both an on-field boost to Voss' side, yet also a mental one.There's an alright line though in between producing celebrity high quality gamers, possibly underdone, as well as disrupting crew chemistry.Undoubtedly mostly all of the eight players discussed above are actually best 23, however the number of can Voss understandably introduce come staff selection?All eyes will definitely get on the Blues when groups go down at 6.20 pm Thursday.Blues' finals wildcard: Patrick Cripps" He's the guy with the superman jumper on his spine ... he hasn't been super prevalent (against the Lions previously), I count on Josh Dunkley to go to him."-- Jonathan BrownJonathan Brown's suggestion: Cougars through 15 pointsSCENES as Doctor creates incredible yield|00:33.