.In the room of one shot, 18 clubs has come to be 8 - as one of the most beautiful opportunity of the AFL time starts on Thursday evening via finals footy. And with that, the microscope on those who remain has simply magnified as they go after the 2024 premiership cup.Fox Footy's On The Chair workers on Monday night dissected every club's greatest question, and highlighted 8 X-Factors for this finals collection - and also an idea for the 4 matches.Watch the best protection of the 2024 AFL finals, with specialist study as well as every activity till the Grand Final deal with no ad-breaks during play, on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free of charge trial today > Finals Full week 1IMAGINE WHAT YOU MIGHT BE ACQUIRING AS AN ALTERNATIVE. For Free and classified assistance phone call 1800u00a0858u00a0858 or check out gamblinghelponline.org.au.No leading 4 groups in Premiership home window?|01:37 FINALS WEEK 1 COMPONENT AND KNOTTY QUESTION (All times AEST) PORT ADELAIDE v GEELONGThursday September 5, 7:40 pm at the Adelaide OvalHow to watch on Fox Footy: 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 carries out Ken perform with Tom Stewart?Five- opportunity All-Australian Pet cat Tom Stewart is precisely effectively valued through Power train Ken Hinkley-- so much in order that it's really been actually to his detriment across the final pair of years. In each of Stewart's final 3 suits, the defender has actually been actually secured hard by Electrical power stress onward Jed McEntee, that most lately kept him to 13 disposals in their direct match-up-- three of which were kick-ins. "Last time, Jed McEntee was actually using him as a defensive onward, Stewart began as a half-backer as well as kept there for the video game-- (McEntee) really scratched his impact on the activity," Brisbane Lions champ Jonathan Brown detailed on Fox Footy's On The Couch. "Stewart's been actually starting a bit much more with the midfield (due to the fact that Shot 9), so McEntee will originate from half onward as well as climb to Stewart (if he plays midfield)-- performs that method that a Tuohy or even a Jack Henry has the capacity to receive alone as a plus one?" Collingwood legend Nathan Buckley added.McEntee's success on Stewart was actually the stimulant for Tom Stewart moving in to the midfield for the backside of this period-- but while the 23-year-old has actually marked him effectively at one end of the ground, he's however to perform the very same in the midfield, which might ironically cause both trains problems structurally. Inside midfielder Willem Drew has actually formerly been utilized as a negator of adversary super stars in the midfield as well as at stoppage, yet extra lately has been discovering his very own footy and injuring opponents on infraction. task" This is among the earliest of players going to Tom Stewart and also saying: 'You're not having it on your conditions as you have for the last 4 or 5 years, as well as it ended up being the impetus for improvement-- he acquired labelled out of this half-back setting," Melbourne wonderful Garry Lyon kept in mind." McEntee's the one, and you intend to keep Drew as the person who could always keep Dangerfield answerable, particularly in competitions," Buckley finished by saying. McEntee went back to the senior edge in Around 24 against Fremantle after a stint in the SANFL, and has actually participated in thirteen games in 2024-- many of which have actually been actually as a protective forward in a task where the common stat slab doesn't inform the complete story of his impact.Port's wildcard: Charlie Dixon" Charlie's been actually irregular, yet I assume he's mosting likely to be important-- together with (Esava) Ratugolea ... specifically versus those great intercept noting players for Geelong,"-- BrownPort confident they may cover accidents|01:48 Felines' burning question: Exactly how perform they quit Port's midfield?Chris Scott has actually been actually challenged with a myriad of talent-heavy midfields in his opportunity as both a gamer as well as trainer, as well as Slot Adelaide's this Thursday night are going to be completely no exception.Power captain Connor Rozee leads an engine space that are going to possess all of Zak Butters, Jason Horne-Francis, Ollie Red Wines, Willem Drew and also Travis Boak running through it on Thursday night-- leaving two-time premiership trainer Scott with a whole lot to plan for." They have actually been actually prevalent all year it's an all-star midfield definitely isn't it, specifically the midfielders. Horne-Francis boggled the mind in the initial 40 minutes to set up that significant top because Around 9 game," Jonathan Brown mentioned to On The Sofa." Ollie Glass Of Wines (possesses) possessed an amazing year, as possesses Zak Butters, as possesses Jason Horne-Francis-- who I presume is the absolute most devastating midfielder in the competition." Ken Hinkley's side streamed Geelong completely off the park in the earlier part of the 2024 period, at some stage getting out to an eight-goal top effectively before fifty percent time.The Pussy-cats undoubtedly conserved grace in the second one-half, and also almost flipped the lead in a second-half surge at GMHBA Coliseum-- but at some point failed by one significant." Geelong remained in the midst of looking at their mid-season rut (in Shot 9), and also Port Adelaide put one of their far better performances (together), and they can easily put those exclusive activities with each other," Nathan Buckley proceeded." 2 vital losses though for Port Adelaide-- Kane Farrell (hamstring muscle) and also Dan Houston (suspension)-- they get a ton of their operate and also lug coming from there certainly, to make sure that could be really difficult for Port Adelaide if they are actually shedding clearance," included Brown.And besides their reductions on a part and also half back, the Energy is going to likewise need to brace for the possible explosion that is actually Jeremy Cameron-- that has been in truly tough introducing this year's finals series. A bag of nine goals against North Melbourne and also six against Adelaide in his last 4 matches creates him a challenging duty for likely match Aliir Aliir, but it absolutely will not be actually foreign." Aliir Aliir did a good task (on Cameron) last time 18 fingertips, 1.1 - not bad varieties for a key ahead, however he didn't possess any kind of actual impact on the video game," stated Brown." Our team have observed Jeremy Cameron produce destruction on hostility protectors when he solves up the industry."" That is actually when he goes to his most unsafe believe Colleague Franklin when he rises (the ground) and arcs back on his remaining feet," Buckley completed through saying.If the Cats can receive the reception right into Cameron's palms-- wherever he discovers himself around the ground-- they'll be every chance of protecting a home initial ultimate, yet their first job will be actually to squash Port's midfield.Geelong's wildcard: Patrick Dangerfield" By the end of the day, if they are actually heading to copulate to premiership splendor once again, it is actually heading to be actually on the back of Patrick Dangerfield ... he needs to have to produce an additional magnificent great September for Geelong to go all the way.Jonathan Brown's tip: Slot Adelaide by 15 pointsHow perform the Felines stop Horne-Francis & co?|05:16 WESTERN BULLDOGS v HAWTHORNFriday September 6, 7:40 pm at the MCGHow to enjoy on Fox Footy: From 6:20 pm with Garry Lyon, Jonathan Brown, Nathan Buckley, Jordan Lewis, Brad Johnson, Ben Dixon & Jon RalphBulldogs' knotty question: Do they give up velocity for experience?Luke Beveridge has been actually toying with this inquiry for many of the period, performs he trust his professional pros to get the job done on the large phase or even is going to he turn to his much younger brigade?Melbourne champ Garry Lyon regurgitated two titles who could happen under variety heat this week, depending on what Beveridge decides to value more at the assortment dining table ahead of a must-win final versus the in-form Hawks." It is actually certainly not all on Port Macrae and also Caleb Daniel ... however you are actually playing against a Hawthorn edge (where) speed kills," Lyon claimed on Fox Footy's On The Chair. Macrae was elevated from the substitute task for the clash versus the Giants in circular 24, accumulating 23 disposals and 7 tackles, having amassed 2 goals from 17 touches in restricted time on ground the week prior to versus North Melbourne. Caleb Daniel, yet another Dog that has actually been out-of-favour this year, has played the last 5 fits, completing his last outing along with 23 fingertips and also a goal. Yet the Hawks don't hold off, they operate and gun as well as leave no stone unchecked, which could induce issues for Beveridge as well as his training workers. The likes of Jarman Impey, Karl Amon and also Josh Weddle are power in the rear one-half, consistently producing recoiling travel. The Hawks position second in the competition for post-clearance contended ownership and are the greatest in the rank at post-clearance ground rounds. The Western Bulldogs may extend an undersized Hawthorn support, however that carries out leave them along with a restricted potential to contend with Hawthorn's running activity. Therefore, can they pay for to play slower players up the ground given their high visibility forward of center? "You've reached manage to match all of them, because these 3 high forwards, are they heading to manage to operate half the ground as well as try put some stress on?" Lyon talked to. The Hawks flexed the Pet dogs like they haven't been flexed prior to back in circular 8, but Collingwood champ Nathan Buckley strongly believes the Bulldogs' showing versus the GWS Giants in Ballarat just recently was a good indicator. "What I saw coming from the Bulldogs 2 full weeks back, GWS passion to play like that (prompt footy) - Hawthorn, their run as well as carry is actually modelled a bit on what the Giants have actually carried out the final number of years as well as the Bulldogs managed to suppress that with brutal tension, which is actually specifically what they're going to have to do," Buckley mentioned. Will Bevo reparation speed for take in this weekend?Bulldogs' finals wildcard: The Three Huge Pets" These children are mosting likely to differ-- Darcy, Ugle-Hagan and Naughton ... they have actually resided in ripping scar ... I assume Aaron Naughton's acquired the prospective to really leave the leash, a lot interest's visiting enter into the various other 2."-- Garry LyonBig Dogs readied to creature speedy Hawks?|03:37 Hawks' knotty question: May they manage Bulldogs' essential onward mafia?The Hawks have actually appeared vulnerable to major key forwards all time and the Canines possess three outright weapons in that space. There's certainly that the three-headed beast of Aaron Naughton, Sam Darcy and also Jamarra Ugle-Hagan will have offered Hawks coach Sam Mitchell some sleepless nights this previous fortnight. "These boys are going to differ-- Darcy, Ugle-Hagan and also Naughton-- I surmise Marcus Bontempelli will certainly extend all of them at the same time and also attempt as well as acquire onward," Melbourne champ Garry Lyon mentioned on Fox Footy's On The Chair. Over the final 7 suits, the Bulldogs trio have integrated for around 5.7 objectives, 19.6 rating involvements as well as 7.4 marks inside 50 per game. "They have actually been in tearing chip ... I believe Aaron Naughton's obtained the potential to actually get off the chain, so much focus's visiting enter the various other two," Lyon included." The great point is actually also, those boys may divide as well as acquire some individually's, no doubt concerning it-- that makes the defensive individually contests for Hawthorn's guardians important," Brisbane Lions champion Jonathan Brown answered. Previously this time in Geelong's huge victory over the Hawks, Kitties spearhead Jeremy Cameron created Mitchell as well as his coaching personnel loads of headaches, booting 4.4 from 19 fingertips. The similarity Sam Freeze, James Sicily, Port Scrimshaw and Josh Weddle are well and absolutely going to have their job cut out for all of them on Friday night. Given the Hawks' weakness down back provided the height differents, gaining the midfield struggle will definitely be actually of the upmost relevance. The Canines could have the somebody in Marcus Bontempelli, Adam Treloar as well as Tom Liberatore, yet Hawthorn's on-ball unit have actually absolutely risen this season. The Hawks position third in the competitors for opposed possession, 6th for approvals as well as eighth for points from approval differential. Of course the loss of superstar midfielder Will definitely Day will leave behind an open opening because device, however the likes of Jai Newcombe, Conor Nash as well as James Worpel are more than with the ability of standing in the clinches. Hawks' finals wildcard: Port Ginnivan" Anzac Day Medallist, likes the significant phase and is actually a premiership gamer currently. We know that he is actually grown within this environment there, I assume he gets in there with the Witch and creates all kind of mayhem down there in that back half, the pair up for them is mosting likely to be actually truly considerable."-- Garry LyonGarry Lyon's suggestion: Bulldogs by 20 pointsSicily opens on finals argue v Pets|02:16 SYDNEY v BETTER WESTERN SYDNEYSaturday September 6, 3:20 pm at the SCGHow to view on Fox Footy: Coming from 2:30 pm with Sarah Jones, Jason Dunstall, David King, Leigh Montagna, Dermott Brereton & David ZitaSwans' sixty-four-thousand-dollar question: Have they got their mojo back?For a substantial period of time this season, the Swans seemed like it would only refer opportunity just before they clinched the premiership. However some accidents late in the season found their drive standstill, gaining merely one suit between rounds 16 and 21. "I think there is actually evidence in the final 3 weeks that they performed-- they experienced that parch of 6 full weeks between round 16 and also rounded 21 where they simply weren't capable to get it going they were one gain and five losses during that opportunity," Collingwood folklore Nathan Buckley identified on Fox Footy's On The Chair. "They offence coughed as well as spluttered, they were actually yielding area as well as credit ratings coming from the return one-half and the approval game they rely on a lot wasn't certainly there." Yet ever since, the supports have actually shown up for the Swans which has been a significant main reason regarding why the Swans have actually found their mojo. The Swans positioned 3rd in the last three weeks of the time for aspects for, 4th for aspects conceded coming from the protective fifty percent as well as 9th for clearance differential, big remodelings coming from 13th, 17th and also 18th during that six-week kind rut. "Component of that (improvement in kind) has actually had the ability to get two of their celebrities back into the crease after overlooking significant pieces of the year," he continued.Those two superstars are actually seasoned Luke Parker and captain Callum Mills. "Luke Parker's gone back, bit of center bounce, goes ahead, has actually been actually attacking the scoreboard and also impacting at approval," Buckley claimed." The various other one is Callum Mills, that prior to he walked out, he was actually a legitimate midfielder, perhaps on a wing ... and now he's returned to where he cut his pearly whites, which is essentially facing target, half-back, good obstruct denoting player, intends to have the capacity to take that game on-- I assume they have actually had the capacity to deliver those young boys back in to the fold definitely effectively." The Swans are readied to get a super star quartet of weapons back ahead of their certifying last versus the Giants. Protector Tom McCartin as well as gun midfielder Isaac Heeney will definitely both come back after being dealt with in the final game of the home and also away time, while onward Tom Papley (ankle) and also the functional Justin McInerney (leg) are actually additionally likely to become recollected. Swans' finals wildcard: Tom Papley" If his ankle joint is 90% match, the remainder of his physical body, his mind, he is actually been actually rested, he'll come back in and he delivers energy as well as trigger, he's cherry mature prepared to go in 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 up and also operating, they're probably the hardest group to drop in the competition. Over to you, Adam Kingsley. Kingsley as well as his training workers will definitely require to discover a technique to quit Sydney's capacity to shift the round from protective fifty to the aggressive half if they are actually to be in with a shot of triumph on Sunday. "Their back-half sphere use begs the inquiry of Adam Kingsley-- how perform they avoid all of them coming from managing to slingshot, since that's mosting likely to be actually the inquiry that the Giants require to respond to," Buckley claimed. In their two day trips against the Swans this time, the Giants yielded 51 and also thirty three factors from the defensive one-half. "They have actually been actually a best staff at slashing from the back fifty percent and the Giants are going to desire to reduce that Sydney supply definitely promptly as well as score off main half turnovers as high as they potentially can," Buckley continued. The Swans have a huge selection of celebrities in their stable, consisting of 4 All-Australian's in Isaac Heeney, Errol Gulden, Chad Warner and also Scar Blakey.That's why the possible schedule of tagger Toby Bedford will definitely be crucial.Bedford, a discovery this campaign, performed a tremendous work of quashing Warner in their round 15 clash, limiting the superstar Swan to merely 18 fingertips throughout the 89 minutes they were paired up. Will Kingsley offer his best tagger the duty of stopping Warner once again recently?" I believe you need to have to be able to accomplish the project, the worry about Gulden is actually perhaps you just can refrain from doing the work considering that he operates therefore hard," Buckley mentioned." They have actually acquired loads of tools that they'll must watch on yet so carry out the Giants." Buckley threw the onslaught up to the Giants' on-ball brigade to contend with the A-graders at the Swans, specifically offered they lost that struggle on each affairs this year.In both suits, the Swans gained the contested things, open spaces and also factors coming from spaces convincingly." How really good is actually that for Adam Kingsley to become able to throw that to his midfield group and say this is what you are actually going to be determined by," Melbourne champion Garry Lyon added.The Giants have actually succeeded all 3 finals match-ups versus the Swans in their short past history as well as with an initial final area vulnerable, there will certainly be actually no shortage of incentive for either edge happened Saturday.Giants' finals wildcard: Brent Daniels" It's been 3 weeks given that he played a game, when he received concussed late in in 2013's initial last versus Collingwood, he was actually the player that was very likely to damage it open, due to the fact that they would like to release him from his half-forward duty and also locate that gone through the midfield, his last month of footy's been actually huge."-- Nathan BuckleyNathan Buckley's suggestion: Sydney through 13 pointsHiding in simple attraction - Are actually Swans support?|06:02 BRISBANE v CARLTONSaturday September 6, 7:30 pm at the GabbaHow to watch on Fox Footy: Coming from 6:30 pm with Garry Lyon, Jonathan Brown, Nathan Buckley, Jack Riewoldt, Cameron Mooney & David Zita Lions' sixty-four-thousand-dollar question: Just how do they obtain the video game on their terms?Brisbane's absolute best is actually absolutely electricity, yet their worst isn't fantastic on the eye at all.So which Brisbane will arise on Sunday evening and also all over this year's finals set? The Lions have been actually a powerful stop side across 2024, but Brisbane champ Jonathan Brown says the club would certainly be better off attempting to produce the video game fast-flowing in order to make use of an underdone Carlton edge. "I believe a round movement video game will be actually truly nice, specifically against a hampered or surely underdone Carlton staff. When they can acquire their sphere motion game going, they're the leading crew in the competitors for this," Brown told Fox Footy's On The Sofa." They create by means of uncontested marks, however it's a fast type," he added.The Lions began like a home on fire in their Position Around clash against cry, loading 7 targets in the very first one-fourth to create a 31-point lead at half-time, before the Blues overwhelm them in the 2nd one-half." In the position around in the 1st quarter, Carlton could possibly certainly not quit Brisbane coming from obtaining from their rear one-half and they scored greatly from the back half, before it after that certainly turned," Buckley said." Brisbane will plan to view a great deal of what they got early in the position sphere and not a great deal of what they got in the second half along with the Blues going back."" Do not come under the trap of presuming they participate in a sluggish activity if they take 120 marks and it's heading to be actually a fast lane up there, it is actually mosting likely to be 30 strange levels," Brown replied.The Lions are going to gain back defensive duo Brandon Starcevich and Jackson Payne for the must-win clash. Double Brownlow Medallist Lachie Neale will definitely be integral for Chris Fagan's side, as will definitely fellow on-ballers Josh Dunkley and also Willpower Ashcroft. Dayne Zorko will be vital off half-back as they look to move the round with take a chance and also scurry, as are going to younger weapon Darcy Wilmot.Lions' finals wildcard: Exact goalkicking" The Lions have been in all-time low four staffs for accuracy before target for the season ... this is why they weren't a top four group given that they miss out on critical chances."-- Jonathan BrownLions expecting full strength Woe side|01:41 Woes' sixty-four-thousand-dollar question: How many returning players is extremely many?Coaches usually have huge struggles at the variety dining table right now of year, yet Michael Voss really possesses six to contend with. Cry may be reinforced due to the profit of eight first choice players, however how many is actually a lot of to bring back in in advance of a huge must-win ultimate?" I do not think there's a particular amount, but I usually tend to coincide a few of the comments that you would certainly hesitate to go in with fellas that have had delicate tissue personal injuries," Brown said.Brown did certainly not hesitate when inquired if he would feature paired high rises Charlie Curnow (ankle) and also Harry McKay (quad), yet the other choices weren't not essentially as clear cut.Brown stated he will participate in protector Mitch McGovern and also energy Zac Williams should they recuperate on time from their particular hamstring traumas, but wouldn't participate in Port Martin, Tom De Koning or Adam Cerra given their private problems. Cry confirmed on Tuesday that motivational past captain Sam Docherty would produce his gain coming from an ACL accident in a large improvement for Michael Voss' side.Docherty will definitely return for the crisis clash just 183 times after he burst his ACL versus the exact same side in Opening Cycle. "He is actually placed a lot of time and effort into coming back, as well as the moment you set your thoughts to one thing-- he's the enthusiastic style to acquire it performed," Carlton vice-captain Jacob Weitering stated on Tuesday." The young boys were actually stired and also I ensure he'll work for our team this weekend break." The Blues published an online video of leader Patrick Cripps discussing the headlines while players resided in the pool, along with Docherty's allies swiftly crowding towards him as well as releasing him in the air. There's certainly that Docherty's profit will definitely give both an on-field boost to Voss' edge, yet also a mental one.There's a great pipe though in between introducing superstar high quality gamers, likely underdone, and interrupting crew chemistry.Undoubtedly almost all of the 8 players stated above are well 23, yet the number of can Voss understandably produce come crew selection?All eyes will certainly get on the Blues when crews drop at 6.20 pm Thursday.Blues' finals wildcard: Patrick Cripps" He's the male along with the superman jumper on his spine ... he have not been actually super dominant (versus the Lions over the last), I anticipate Josh Dunkley to go to him."-- Jonathan BrownJonathan Brown's recommendation: Lions by 15 pointsSCENES as Doc produces miraculous gain|00:33.