.In the room of one shot, 18 nightclubs has come to be 8 - as the best lovely opportunity of the AFL season starts on Thursday night through finals footy. And also with that said, the microscope on those that remain has simply boosted as they chase after the 2024 premiership cup.Fox Footy's On The Chair crew on Monday evening explored every group's most significant question, as well as highlighted 8 X-Factors for this finals collection - and also a tip for the four matches.Watch the best coverage of the 2024 AFL finals, along with professional study and every game up until the Grand Final LIVE with no ad-breaks during play, on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your totally free trial today > Finals Full week 1IMAGINE WHAT YOU MIGHT BE GETTING RATHER. Free of cost as well as personal help telephone call 1800u00a0858u00a0858 or go to gamblinghelponline.org.au.No top 4 teams in Premiership window?|01:37 FINALS FULL WEEK 1 FITTING AND ALSO SIXTY-FOUR-THOUSAND-DOLLAR QUESTION (Perpetuity AEST) PORT ADELAIDE v GEELONGThursday September 5, 7:40 pm at the Adelaide OvalHow to enjoy on Fox Footy: Coming from 6:30 pm along with Sarah Jones, Jason Dunstall, David King, Leigh Montagna, Mark Ricciuto, Eddie Betts & Jon RalphPower's knotty question: What performs Ken make with Tom Stewart?Five- time All-Australian Pussy-cat Tom Stewart is precisely effectively appreciated by Power coach Ken Hinkley-- a lot so that it's actually been to his detriment around the last pair of years. In each of Stewart's final 3 suits, the defender has been braced hard through Energy tension ahead Jed McEntee, that very most recently kept him to thirteen fingertips in their direct match-up-- 3 of which were kick-ins. "Last time, Jed McEntee was playing on him as a defensive forward, Stewart began as a half-backer as well as remained there for the game-- (McEntee) actually squashed his impact on the game," Brisbane Lions champion Jonathan Brown discussed on Fox Footy's On The Couch. "Stewart's been actually starting a little extra with the midfield (because Round 9), so McEntee will arise from half onward and also go up to Stewart (if he plays midfield)-- carries out that mean that a Tuohy or even a Port Henry is able to get alone as an and also one?" Collingwood legend Nathan Buckley added.McEntee's excellence on Stewart was actually the agitator for Tom Stewart moving in to the midfield for the back end of the season-- however while the 23-year-old has actually tagged him successfully at one end of the ground, he is actually yet to do the same in the midfield, which could paradoxically result in both trainers hassles structurally. Inside midfielder Willem Drew has earlier been used as a negator of opposition superstars in the midfield as well as at standstill, yet even more recently has been finding his own footy as well as injuring competitors on infraction. role" This is just one of the earliest of players heading to Tom Stewart as well as claiming: 'You are actually certainly not having it on your conditions as you have for the last four or even 5 years, and it became the impetus for improvement-- he obtained marked away from this half-back position," Melbourne wonderful Garry Lyon took note." McEntee's the one, and also you intend to maintain Drew as the fella that may maintain Dangerfield answerable, especially in competitions," Buckley finished through pointing out. McEntee came back to the senior side in Round 24 versus Fremantle after a stint in the SANFL, as well as has actually participated in 13 activities in 2024-- a lot of which have actually been as a protective onward in a duty where the generic stat piece doesn't inform the full tale of his impact.Port's wildcard: Charlie Dixon" Charlie's been actually irregular, but I think he's heading to be necessary-- in addition to (Esava) Ratugolea ... particularly against those good intercept marking gamers for Geelong,"-- BrownPort positive they may cover traumas|01:48 Cats' sixty-four-thousand-dollar question: How perform they stop Slot's midfield?Chris Scott has been actually tested along with a variety of talent-heavy midfields in his opportunity as both a player and coach, as well as Slot Adelaide's this Thursday night will certainly be actually positively no exception.Power captain Connor Rozee leads an engine room that are going to have every one of Zak Butters, Jason Horne-Francis, Ollie Glass Of Wines, Willem Drew as well as Travis Boak going through it on Thursday evening-- leaving two-time premiership instructor Scott along with a lot to plan for." They've been actually dominant all year it's an all-star midfield actually isn't it, particularly the midfielders. Horne-Francis boggled the mind in the initial 40 moments to set up that significant top during that Round 9 activity," Jonathan Brown pointed out to On The Couch." Ollie Red Wines (has) had a wonderful year, as possesses Zak Butters, as has Jason Horne-Francis-- that I think is the best devastating midfielder in the competitors." Ken Hinkley's side streamed Geelong completely off the playground in the earlier aspect of the 2024 season, at some phase venturing out to an eight-goal top properly before half time.The Felines absolutely saved poise in the 2nd one-half, and also almost turned the lead in a second-half surge at GMHBA Arena-- however ultimately fell short by one primary." Geelong remained in the midst of looking at their mid-season rut (in Round 9), and also Slot Adelaide placed some of their far better efficiencies (all together), and they can place those elite games together," Nathan Buckley proceeded." 2 crucial losses though for Slot Adelaide-- Kane Farrell (hindering) and also Dan Houston (suspension)-- they obtain a considerable amount of their run and also bring from certainly there, to make sure that might be truly difficult for Slot Adelaide if they are actually losing open space," included Brown.And besides their reductions on a segment as well as half back, the Electrical power is going to also need to bandage for the prospective surge that is Jeremy Cameron-- that has been in truly solid leading into this year's finals set. A bag of nine objectives against North Melbourne and six against Adelaide in his last four suits produces him an intimidating task for likely match-up Aliir Aliir, but it undoubtedly will not be actually foreign." Aliir Aliir did a fair project (on Cameron) final time 18 fingertips, 1.1 - tolerable amounts for a key ahead, however he failed to have any kind of true impact on the game," said Brown." Our team have viewed Jeremy Cameron produce mayhem on hostility guardians when he solves up the field."" That's when he goes to his very most hazardous think Colleague Franklin when he gets out of bed (the ground) and also arcs back on his left side foot," Buckley completed through saying.If the Cats can obtain the ball right into Cameron's hands-- any place he locates himself about the ground-- they'll be every chance of getting a home initial final, but their very first job will be actually to nullify Slot's midfield.Geelong's wildcard: Patrick Dangerfield" By the end of the day, if they're going to copulate to premiership glory once more, it's visiting be on the spine of Patrick Dangerfield ... he needs to have to generate another mighty alright September for Geelong to go all the way.Jonathan Brown's pointer: Slot Adelaide through 15 pointsHow perform the Kitties quit Horne-Francis & carbon monoxide?|05:16 WESTERN SIDE BULLDOGS v HAWTHORNFriday September 6, 7:40 pm at the MCGHow to see on Fox Footy: Coming from 6:20 pm along with Garry Lyon, Jonathan Brown, Nathan Buckley, Jordan Lewis, Brad Johnson, Ben Dixon & Jon RalphBulldogs' sixty-four-thousand-dollar question: Perform they compromise speed for experience?Luke Beveridge has actually been toying with this inquiry for most of the time, performs he trust his knowledgeable experts to get the job done on the large stage or will certainly he count on his much younger brigade?Melbourne champion Garry Lyon regurgitated two names who can come under collection warmth this week, depending on what Beveridge chooses to value additional at the selection dining table ahead of a must-win final versus the in-form Hawks." It's not all on Jack Macrae and Caleb Daniel ... yet you are actually betting a Hawthorn side (where) velocity kills," Lyon pointed out on Fox Footy's On The Couch. Macrae rose from the alternative duty for the clash against the Giants in rounded 24, building up 23 fingertips as well as 7 handles, having piled up pair of objectives from 17 touches in restricted time on ground the full week just before against North Melbourne. Caleb Daniel, an additional Canine who has actually been actually out-of-favour this year, has played the last five suits, completing his last outing with 23 fingertips as well as a goal. However the Hawks do not keep back, they manage and also gun and leave behind no rock unchecked, which could possibly cause troubles for Beveridge and his training team. The similarity Jarman Impey, Karl Amon and Josh Weddle are electricity in the rear half, regularly generating rebounding drive. The Hawks rank 2nd in the competition for post-clearance objected to ownership as well as are the greatest in the category at post-clearance ground balls. The Western Bulldogs can easily stretch an undersized Hawthorn defence, however that carries out leave them with a minimal capability to emulate Hawthorn's running video game. So, can they pay for to play slower players up the ground given their high visibility forward of center? "You've come to be able to match them, since these 3 tall forwards, are they mosting likely to have the ability to manage half the ground and try place some tension on?" Lyon inquired. The Hawks stretched the Canines like they haven't been actually flexed prior to back in rounded eight, however Collingwood champion Nathan Buckley strongly believes the Bulldogs' proving versus the GWS Giants in Ballarat recently was a positive indicator. "What I observed from the Bulldogs two full weeks ago, GWS love to participate in like that (rapid footy) - Hawthorn, their run and also bring is actually modelled a small amount on what the Giants have carried out the final couple of years as well as the Bulldogs were able to suppress that along with strong stress, and that is actually specifically what they're visiting must perform," Buckley mentioned. Will Bevo sacrifice speed for encounter this weekend?Bulldogs' finals wildcard: The Three Significant Pets" These children are actually mosting likely to go at it-- Darcy, Ugle-Hagan and Naughton ... they've been in tearing chip ... I think Aaron Naughton's acquired the potential to definitely get off the leash, a great deal interest's mosting likely to go into the various other two."-- Garry LyonBig Canine set to beast rapid Hawks?|03:37 Hawks' sixty-four-thousand-dollar question: May they deal with Bulldogs' essential onward mafia?The Hawks have actually looked at risk to big essential forwards all time and also the Dogs possess 3 downright items during that room. There's no doubt that the three-headed monster of Aaron Naughton, Sam Darcy and also Jamarra Ugle-Hagan will have offered Hawks train Sam Mitchell some sleep deprived evenings this previous fortnight. "These kids are going to go at it-- Darcy, Ugle-Hagan as well as Naughton-- I think Marcus Bontempelli will definitely extend them at the same time as well as attempt and also receive ahead," Melbourne champion Garry Lyon said on Fox Footy's On The Sofa. Over the last 7 matches, the Bulldogs trio have actually combined for approximately 5.7 objectives, 19.6 rating participations as well as 7.4 proofs inside fifty per video game. "They've resided in ripping scar ... I assume Aaron Naughton's received the potential to definitely get off the leash, a lot interest's visiting enter the various other 2," Lyon included." The excellent thing is also, those boys may separate and also obtain some personalized's, no question about it-- which makes the defensive face to face competitions for Hawthorn's guardians critical," Brisbane Lions champ Jonathan Brown replied. Earlier this season in Geelong's large triumph over the Hawks, Kitties spearhead Jeremy Cameron resulted in Mitchell and also his coaching personnel a lot of frustrations, booting 4.4 coming from 19 fingertips. The similarity Sam Freeze, James Sicily, Jack Scrimshaw and also Josh Weddle are well as well as genuinely mosting likely to possess their job suitable them on Friday night. Offered the Hawks' susceptability down back provided the level differentials, gaining the midfield battle is going to be of the upmost significance. The Dogs could have the somebody in Marcus Bontempelli, Adam Treloar as well as Tom Liberatore, but Hawthorn's on-ball brigade have undoubtedly stood up this season. The Hawks position third in the competitors for objected to things, sixth for clearances as well as 8th for scores from approval differential. Admittedly the reduction of super star midfielder Will definitely Time is going to leave behind a gaping gap because device, however the likes of Jai Newcombe, Conor Nash as well as James Worpel are greater than with the ability of standing up in the clinches. Hawks' finals wildcard: Jack Ginnivan" Anzac Day Medallist, really loves the major phase and is actually a premiership player already. We know that he's grown in this atmosphere there certainly, I presume he acts along with the Witch as well as produces all form of chaos down there certainly during that back one-half, the pair up for all of them is actually mosting likely to be truly considerable."-- Garry LyonGarry Lyon's recommendation: Bulldogs through twenty pointsSicily opens on finals argue v Dogs|02:16 SYDNEY v MORE SIGNIFICANT western side SYDNEYSaturday September 6, 3:20 pm at the SCGHow to enjoy on Fox Footy: From 2:30 pm with Sarah Jones, Jason Dunstall, David Master, Leigh Montagna, Dermott Brereton & David ZitaSwans' burning question: Have they acquired their mojo back?For a substantial period of your time this period, the Swans resembled it would simply be a matter of opportunity just before they secured the premiership. But some injuries late in the time saw their energy standstill, gaining simply one match in between cycles 16 as well as 21. "I presume there's evidence in the final three full weeks that they did-- they looked at that parch of 6 weeks between rounded 16 and circular 21 where they merely weren't capable to obtain it going they were one succeed and also 5 losses during that time," Collingwood tale Nathan Buckley identified on Fox Footy's On The Sofa. "They offence coughed and spluttered, they were acknowledging area and also ratings from the return one-half and also the clearance video game they depend on a lot wasn't there certainly." But ever since, the encouragements have actually come in for the Swans which has actually been actually a major main reason regarding why the Swans have rediscovered their mojo. The Swans positioned 3rd in the last 3 full weeks of the time for points for, 4th for factors yielded from the protective fifty percent as well as 9th for clearance differential, major improvements from 13th, 17th and also 18th during the course of that six-week type downturn. "Part of that (adjustment in form) has managed to get two of their superstars back in to the crease after missing out on large parts of the year," he continued.Those two celebrities are actually seasoned Luke Parker as well as captain Callum Mills. "Luke Parker's returned, little bit of centre bounce, moves forward, has been actually reaching the scoreboard as well as influencing at authorization," Buckley pointed out." The other one is Callum Mills, who before he went out, he was a genuine midfielder, maybe on a wing ... and now he is actually returned to where he reduced his pearly whites, which is actually primarily dealing with objective, half-back, good intercept noting gamer, wants to have the capacity to take that game on-- I assume they have actually had the ability to deliver those young boys back right into the fold really well." The Swans are actually set to get a superstar quartet of guns back before their training final against the Giants. Defender Tom McCartin as well as gun midfielder Isaac Heeney will certainly both return after being handled in the last video game of the home as well as away season, while forward Tom Papley (ankle) and the functional Justin McInerney (leg) are actually likewise likely to be recalled. Swans' finals wildcard: Tom Papley" If his ankle is actually 90% match, the remainder of his body, his thoughts, he's been relaxed, he'll go back in and he delivers energy as well as stimulate, he's cherry ripe ready to go in September."-- Nathan BuckleySwans timid on finals assortments|02:16 Giants' sixty-four-thousand-dollar question: May they quit the Swans' slingshot?When the Swans are actually up and operating, they're perhaps the hardest team to drop in the competition. Over to you, Adam Kingsley. Kingsley as well as his training personnel will require to find a means to quit Sydney's potential to change the sphere from protective fifty to the aggressive half if they are to be in with a shot of triumph on Saturday. "Their back-half ball usage begs the inquiry of Adam Kingsley-- just how perform they avoid all of them from being able to catapult, because that's mosting likely to be actually the inquiry that the Giants require to address," Buckley said. In their two trips versus the Swans this season, the Giants conceded 51 and thirty three points from the protective half. "They have actually been an elite staff at scoring coming from the rear fifty percent and the Giants are going to would like to reduce that Sydney supply definitely quickly as well as score off front one-half turn overs as high as they possibly can," Buckley proceeded. The Swans have a variety of superstars in their stable, consisting of four All-Australian's in Isaac Heeney, Errol Gulden, Chad Detector as well as Nick Blakey.That's why the possible schedule of tagger Toby Bedford will certainly be crucial.Bedford, a discovery this campaign, did a tremendous work of quashing Warner in their round 15 clash, restricting the celebrity Swan to simply 18 fingertips in the course of the 89 mins they were actually compared. Will Kingsley give his leading tagger the task of stopping Detector once more recently?" I assume you need to be able to carry out the job, the concern with Gulden is actually perhaps you simply may refrain from doing the project given that he functions so hard," Buckley said." They have actually got a lot of weapons that they'll need to keep an eye on however therefore carry out the Giants." Buckley threw the glove up to the Giants' on-ball brigade to contend with the A-graders at the Swans, especially offered they lost that battle on each occasions this year.In both matches, the Swans won the disputed things, spaces as well as points from open spaces well." Exactly how good is that for Adam Kingsley to become able to throw that to his midfield team as well as mention this is what you are actually going to be evaluated by," Melbourne champion Garry Lyon added.The Giants have actually succeeded all three finals match-ups against the Swans in their brief record and also along with a preparatory final spot on the line, there will definitely be actually no scarcity of incentive for either side happened Saturday.Giants' finals wildcard: Brent Daniels" It is actually been three weeks considering that he participated in a video game, when he acquired concussed behind time in in 2015's preparatory last against Collingwood, he was the player that was probably to crack it available, because they desired to discharge 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 tip: Sydney through thirteen pointsHiding in pure view - Are actually Swans back?|06:02 BRISBANE v CARLTONSaturday September 6, 7:30 pm at the GabbaHow to watch on Fox Footy: From 6:30 pm along with Garry Lyon, Jonathan Brown, Nathan Buckley, Jack Riewoldt, Cameron Mooney & David Zita Lions' knotty question: Exactly how do they acquire the activity on their terms?Brisbane's greatest is actually positively electricity, however their worst isn't terrific on the eye at all.So which Brisbane will develop on Sunday evening as well as all over this year's finals set? The Lions have been a powerful blockage edge throughout 2024, yet Brisbane champ Jonathan Brown states the nightclub would be better off trying to make the activity fast-flowing so as to exploit an underdone Carlton side. "I assume a sphere motion game would certainly be actually truly good, especially versus an interfered with or even surely underdone Carlton group. When they may obtain their round activity activity going, they are actually the first crew in the competitors for this," Brown informed Fox Footy's On The Sofa." They develop with easy marks, yet it is actually a quick style," he added.The Lions started like a house on fire in their Position Sphere clash versus cry, booting seven targets in the very first fourth to establish a 31-point top at half-time, before cry swamp all of them in the second half." In the opening round in the 1st fourth, Carlton can certainly not stop Brisbane coming from getting from their rear one-half and also they racked up highly from the back half, just before it after that undoubtedly turned," Buckley claimed." Brisbane would want to see a considerable amount of what they got early in the opening round as well as certainly not a lot of what they entered the second fifty percent along with cry returning."" Don't fall under the catch of assuming they participate in a slow activity if they take 120 marks as well as it's going to be a fast track apex, it's mosting likely to be 30 strange levels," Brown replied.The Lions will recover defensive duo Brandon Starcevich as well as Jackson Payne for the must-win clash. Double Brownlow Medallist Lachie Neale will definitely be important for Chris Fagan's edge, as will fellow on-ballers Josh Dunkley and Willpower Ashcroft. Dayne Zorko will be essential off half-back as they seek to relocate the round along with attempt and also rush, as are going to young weapon Darcy Wilmot.Lions' finals wildcard: Correct goalkicking" The Lions have resided in the bottom 4 crews for reliability before target for the period ... this is why they weren't a leading 4 staff given that they overlook crucial gos."-- Jonathan BrownLions assuming full strength Woe edge|01:41 Woes' burning question: How many returning players is actually very many?Coaches often possess major battles at the option dining table at this time of year, but Michael Voss really has half a dozen to emulate. The Blues might be boosted due to the gain of eight front runner players, but the number of is actually excessive to restore in in advance of a big must-win final?" I don't think there's a specific variety, yet I tend to agree with some of the commentary that you will hesitate to go in with fellas who have possessed delicate tissue injuries," Brown said.Brown carried out not wait when talked to if he would certainly include twin high rises Charlie Curnow (ankle joint) and also Harry McKay (quad), yet the other decisions weren't certainly not automatically as crystal clear cut.Brown stated he would certainly play defender Mitch McGovern and utility Zac Williams ought to they bounce back eventually from their particular hamstring personal injuries, yet wouldn't participate in Jack Martin, Tom De Koning or Adam Cerra offered their individual worries. The Blues verified on Tuesday that inspiring past captain Sam Docherty would make his yield coming from an ACL accident in a big boost for Michael Voss' side.Docherty are going to send back for the crisis clash only 183 days after he fractured his ACL versus the exact same side in Opening Cycle. "He is actually put a lot of time and effort right into returning, as well as when you set your mind to one thing-- he's the determined style to get it performed," Carlton vice-captain Jacob Weitering claimed on Tuesday." The kids were fed and I ensure he'll do a job for our company this weekend break." Cry uploaded a video recording of captain Patrick Cripps discussing the information while gamers remained in the swimming pool, with Docherty's teammates promptly crowding in the direction of him and launching him airborne. There is actually no question that Docherty's yield will provide both an on-field improvement to Voss' side, but additionally a psychological one.There's an alright line though between introducing star quality players, potentially underdone, and also interfering with crew chemistry.Undoubtedly almost all of the 8 gamers discussed above are actually most ideal 23, however the number of can easily Voss certainly produce come crew selection?All eyes are going to be on cry when teams lose at 6.20 pm Thursday.Blues' finals wildcard: Patrick Cripps" He is actually the man along with the superman jumper on his spine ... he have not been super dominant (versus the Lions previously), I expect Josh Dunkley to go to him."-- Jonathan BrownJonathan Brown's tip: Cougars through 15 pointsSCENES as Doc produces marvelous profit|00:33.