.In the space of one round, 18 clubs has actually ended up being eight - as the most gorgeous opportunity of the AFL period starts on Thursday evening by means of finals footy. And with that, the microscopic lense on those who stay has actually merely increased as they chase after the 2024 premiership cup.Fox Footy's On The Sofa workers on Monday night analyzed every group's most significant question, as well as highlighted eight X-Factors for this finals collection - and also a pointer for the 4 matches.Watch the most effective coverage of the 2024 AFL finals, with expert study and also every activity until the Grand Final LIVE with no ad-breaks during play, on Kayo. New to Kayo? Begin your cost-free test today > Finals Week 1IMAGINE WHAT YOU CAN BE ACQUIRING INSTEAD. Free of charge as well as personal support call 1800u00a0858u00a0858 or go to gamblinghelponline.org.au.No top four staffs in Premiership home window?|01:37 FINALS FULL WEEK 1 FITTING AND 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, Sign Ricciuto, Eddie Betts & Jon RalphPower's sixty-four-thousand-dollar question: What performs Ken do with Tom Stewart?Five- time All-Australian Pet cat Tom Stewart is clearly properly recognized by Energy instructor Ken Hinkley-- a great deal so that it's in fact been to his impairment around the final 2 years. In each of Stewart's final three suits, the guardian has been actually braced hard through Electrical power stress onward Jed McEntee, who very most just recently carried him to thirteen fingertips in their straight match-- 3 of which were actually kick-ins. "Final time, Jed McEntee was playing on him as a protective onward, Stewart began as a half-backer as well as stayed there for the video game-- (McEntee) actually nullified his effect on the activity," Brisbane Lions champion Jonathan Brown clarified on Fox Footy's On The Chair. "Stewart's been actually starting a little much more via the midfield (since Round 9), so McEntee will stem from half forward as well as rise to Stewart (if he participates in midfield)-- carries out that way that a Tuohy or perhaps a Jack Henry has the ability to get alone as an and also one?" Collingwood legend Nathan Buckley added.McEntee's success on Stewart was actually the stimulant for Tom Stewart relocating in to the midfield for the backside of the time-- but while the 23-year-old has actually identified him successfully at some end of the ground, he is actually however to perform the same in the midfield, which could ironically result in each trains frustrations structurally. Inside midfielder Willem Drew has recently been actually used as a negator of adversary superstars in the midfield and also at stoppage, yet more recently has been finding his very own footy and also hurting rivals on misdemeanor. function" This is one of the earliest of players mosting likely to Tom Stewart and mentioning: 'You are actually not possessing it on your terms as you eat the last four or even 5 years, and it ended up being the inspiration for change-- he received labelled out of this half-back position," Melbourne terrific Garry Lyon took note." McEntee's the one, and you want to keep Drew as the fella who might always keep Dangerfield accountable, specifically in contests," Buckley finished through pointing out. McEntee went back to the senior edge in Around 24 versus Fremantle after an assignment in the SANFL, and also has participated in 13 games in 2024-- a lot of which have actually been actually as a protective forward in a role where the generic stat slab does not inform the total story of his impact.Port's wildcard: Charlie Dixon" Charlie's been irregular, but I presume he is actually heading to be essential-- together with (Esava) Ratugolea ... specifically against those great obstruct noting gamers for Geelong,"-- BrownPort positive they can cover accidents|01:48 Pussy-cats' burning question: Exactly how perform they cease Slot's midfield?Chris Scott has actually been actually tested with a myriad of talent-heavy midfields in his opportunity as both a gamer and trainer, as well as Port Adelaide's this Thursday evening will be actually completely no exception.Power captain Connor Rozee leads an engine space that will have each of Zak Butters, Jason Horne-Francis, Ollie Glass Of Wines, Willem Drew and also Travis Boak going through it on Thursday evening-- leaving behind two-time premiership trainer Scott along with a lot to prepare for." They've been prevalent all year it's an all-star midfield actually isn't it, specifically the midfielders. Horne-Francis boggled the mind in the initial 40 minutes to put together that large top in that Sphere 9 video game," Jonathan Brown stated to On The Chair." Ollie Red Wines (possesses) had a superb year, as possesses Zak Butters, as has Jason Horne-Francis-- that I believe is actually the absolute most devastating midfielder in the competitors." Ken Hinkley's side blew Geelong absolutely off the playground in the earlier portion of the 2024 time, at one phase going out to an eight-goal top effectively prior to half time.The Cats certainly saved poise in the second one-half, and also virtually flipped the top in a second-half rise at GMHBA Arena-- however ultimately failed through one primary." Geelong remained in the middle of looking at their mid-season downtrend (in Shot 9), as well as Port Adelaide placed some of their much better functionalities (together), and they can put those top-notch games with each other," Nathan Buckley carried on." Two vital losses though for Slot Adelaide-- Kane Farrell (hindering) and Dan Houston (suspension)-- they receive a considerable amount of their operate and bring from certainly there, to ensure that could be truly troublesome for Port Adelaide if they're losing allowance," included Brown.And along with their losses on a segment as well as one-half back, the Energy will certainly additionally need to have to prepare for the possible surge that is Jeremy Cameron-- that has actually resided in seriously strong leading into this year's finals series. A bag of 9 objectives versus North Melbourne and six versus Adelaide in his final four matches produces him a daunting task for likely match Aliir Aliir, however it certainly won't be actually foreign." Aliir Aliir did a respectable project (on Cameron) final time 18 disposals, 1.1 - tolerable numbers for a key forward, but he failed to possess any kind of real effect on the activity," said Brown." Our team have actually seen Jeremy Cameron make chaos on resistance guardians when he gets right up the area."" That's when he's at his most hazardous believe Buddy Franklin when he rises (the ground) and arcs back on his left side feet," Buckley finished by saying.If the Cats can receive the ball right into Cameron's hands-- everywhere he locates themself around the ground-- they'll be every odds of safeguarding a home initial ultimate, yet their 1st duty will be to squash Port's midfield.Geelong's wildcard: Patrick Dangerfield" In the end of the day, if they're mosting likely to copulate to premiership grandeur once again, it's going to be actually on the back of Patrick Dangerfield ... he needs to generate one more enormous fine September for Geelong to go all the way.Jonathan Brown's recommendation: Port Adelaide by 15 pointsHow perform the Felines stop Horne-Francis & carbon monoxide?|05:16 WESTERN SIDE BULLDOGS v HAWTHORNFriday September 6, 7:40 pm at the MCGHow to watch 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 sacrifice rate for experience?Luke Beveridge has actually been actually toying with this question for many of the season, performs he trust his seasoned veterans to get the job done on the big stage or will definitely he rely on his much younger brigade?Melbourne champ Garry Lyon regurgitated 2 labels who can happen under variety warm recently, depending on what Beveridge decides to value more at the choice dining table ahead of a must-win ultimate versus the in-form Hawks." It's certainly not all on Jack Macrae and also Caleb Daniel ... yet you are actually betting a Hawthorn edge (where) velocity kills," Lyon said on Fox Footy's On The Sofa. Macrae was elevated from the substitute function for the clash versus the Giants in circular 24, building up 23 disposals and 7 handles, having generated 2 objectives coming from 17 touches in restricted opportunity on ground the full week before against North Melbourne. Caleb Daniel, yet another Canine who has actually been actually out-of-favour this year, has actually participated in the last five fits, finishing his final outing with 23 fingertips as well as an objective. But the Hawks don't hold back, they run and gun as well as leave behind no stone unchecked, which could possibly lead to problems for Beveridge and his mentoring workers. The likes of Jarman Impey, Karl Amon and also Josh Weddle are power in the rear one-half, continuously producing rebounding travel. The Hawks rank second in the competitors for post-clearance opposed property as well as are actually the most effective in the league at post-clearance ground spheres. The Western Bulldogs can easily flex an undersized Hawthorn support, but that does leave all of them with a restricted capacity to contend with Hawthorn's running game. So, can they pay for to participate in slower gamers up the ground given their high existence ahead of facility? "You've come to have the capacity to match all of them, due to the fact that these 3 tall ahead, are they mosting likely to manage to run half the ground as well as try place some stress on?" Lyon asked. The Hawks extended the Canines like they have not been actually extended just before back in rounded eight, but Collingwood champ Nathan Buckley believes the Bulldogs' proving versus the GWS Giants in Ballarat recently was actually a good indication. "What I observed from the Bulldogs pair of weeks earlier, GWS passion to play like that (prompt footy) - Hawthorn, their run and carry is actually modelled a small amount on what the Giants have actually done the last couple of years and also the Bulldogs were able to repress that along with ferocious tension, and that's specifically what they're visiting have to perform," Buckley said. Are going to Bevo sacrifice speed for encounter this weekend?Bulldogs' finals wildcard: The 3 Huge Canines" These boys are actually going to go at it-- Darcy, Ugle-Hagan and Naughton ... they have actually resided in tearing scar ... I assume Aaron Naughton's obtained the potential to truly leave the leash, a lot attention's heading to go into the other two."-- Garry LyonBig Dogs set to monster swift Hawks?|03:37 Hawks' knotty question: Can easily they handle Bulldogs' key onward mafia?The Hawks have actually looked at risk to large essential forwards all period and the Canines have three complete items because room. There's certainly that the three-headed monster of Aaron Naughton, Sam Darcy as well as Jamarra Ugle-Hagan would certainly possess provided Hawks trainer Sam Mitchell some sleep deprived nights this past fortnight. "These young boys are mosting likely to go at it-- Darcy, Ugle-Hagan as well as Naughton-- I believe Marcus Bontempelli will extend all of them as well as well as make an effort as well as acquire onward," Melbourne champion Garry Lyon claimed on Fox Footy's On The Chair. Over the final seven suits, the Bulldogs trio have incorporated for an average of 5.7 objectives, 19.6 score engagements and 7.4 proofs inside fifty per activity. "They have actually resided in tearing scar ... I presume Aaron Naughton's obtained the potential to actually leave the lead, a great deal focus's heading to enter the various other pair of," Lyon incorporated." The terrific point is actually too, those children can split and also receive some face to face's, certainly concerning it-- which makes the defensive one-on-one contests for Hawthorn's guardians crucial," Brisbane Lions champ Jonathan Brown answered. Earlier this season in Geelong's huge success over the Hawks, Felines spearhead Jeremy Cameron led to Mitchell and his mentoring personnel loads of migraines, booting 4.4 from 19 disposals. The likes of Sam Freeze, James Sicily, Jack Scrimshaw and Josh Weddle are effectively and really visiting possess their work good for them on Friday night. Provided the Hawks' weakness down back provided the level differentials, succeeding the midfield war will be of the upmost usefulness. The Pets may possess the somebody in Marcus Bontempelli, Adam Treloar and also Tom Liberatore, yet Hawthorn's on-ball unit have definitely stood this time. The Hawks position 3rd in the competitors for objected to ownership, sixth for clearances as well as eighth for points from authorization differential. Undoubtedly the loss of superstar midfielder Will definitely Time will leave an open opening because unit, but the similarity Jai Newcombe, Conor Nash as well as James Worpel are more than capable of standing in the clinches. Hawks' finals wildcard: Jack Ginnivan" Anzac Day Medallist, enjoys the huge stage as well as is actually a premiership player currently. We know that he is actually flourished within this environment there, I assume he gets in there with the Occultist and makes all type of chaos down there during that rear half, the match up for all of them is actually visiting be actually definitely considerable."-- Garry LyonGarry Lyon's tip: Bulldogs through twenty pointsSicily opens on finals argue v Dogs|02:16 SYDNEY v BETTER WESTERN SYDNEYSaturday September 6, 3:20 pm at the SCGHow to enjoy on Fox Footy: Coming from 2:30 pm with Sarah Jones, Jason Dunstall, David Master, Leigh Montagna, Dermott Brereton & David ZitaSwans' sixty-four-thousand-dollar question: Possess they acquired their mojo back?For an extended period of time this period, the Swans resembled it will simply be a matter of opportunity before they clinched the premiership. But some injuries late in the period observed their energy standstill, winning merely one suit between rounds 16 and also 21. "I believe there is actually evidence in the final three weeks that they carried out-- they experienced that parch of 6 weeks between circular 16 and also rounded 21 where they only weren't capable to acquire it going they were actually one succeed as well as 5 losses during that time," Collingwood folklore Nathan Buckley recognized on Fox Footy's On The Couch. "They offence hacked as well as spluttered, they were actually yielding territory and also scores coming from the back fifty percent and the approval activity they rely upon so much had not been certainly there." However since then, the reinforcements have come in for the Swans and that has actually been actually a big explanation concerning why the Swans have actually discovered their mojo. The Swans positioned 3rd in the final three full weeks of the season for aspects for, 4th for points yielded from the protective half and also ninth for authorization differential, significant enhancements from 13th, 17th and 18th during that six-week type slump. "Part of that (adjustment in type) has actually had the capacity to get 2 of their stars back into the crease after missing large chunks of the year," he continued.Those 2 celebrities are actually experienced Luke Parker and also captain Callum Mills. "Luke Parker's come back, little of center bounce, goes forward, has been actually striking the scoreboard and influencing at approval," Buckley claimed." The other one is Callum Mills, who prior to he walked out, he was a legitimate midfielder, possibly on an airfoil ... now he's gone back to where he cut his teeth, which is actually essentially encountering target, half-back, really good intercept marking gamer, would like to have the capacity to take that game on-- I think they've been able to deliver those boys back in to the fold truly well." The Swans are set to obtain a superstar quartet of guns back in front of their qualifying ultimate against the Giants. Defender Tom McCartin and also weapon midfielder Isaac Heeney will certainly both return after being actually handled in the last video game of the home and also away time, while ahead Tom Papley (ankle joint) and the functional Justin McInerney (leg) are actually likewise probably to be recalled. Swans' finals wildcard: Tom Papley" If his ankle is 90% fit, the remainder of his body system, his thoughts, he's been relaxed, he'll come back in as well as he delivers power as well as stimulate, he is actually cherry enriched prepared to go in September."-- Nathan BuckleySwans shy on finals assortments|02:16 Giants' knotty question: Can easily they quit the Swans' slingshot?When the Swans are up and operating, they are actually perhaps the hardest group to drop in the competition. Over to you, Adam Kingsley. Kingsley and his coaching team will certainly need to find a means to quit Sydney's potential to transition the ball from defensive 50 to the forward fifty percent if they are actually to become belong a discharge of victory on Sunday. "Their back-half round usage pleads the inquiry of Adam Kingsley-- how do they stop them coming from having the ability to slingshot, since that is actually going to be the question that the Giants require to answer," Buckley mentioned. In their 2 trips against the Swans this time, the Giants acknowledged 51 and thirty three factors from the protective one-half. "They have been actually a best team at slashing coming from the rear half and also the Giants will certainly wish to cut that Sydney source actually promptly and also score off frontal one-half turnovers as high as they potentially can," Buckley proceeded. The Swans have a wide variety of superstars in their steady, including four All-Australian's in Isaac Heeney, Errol Gulden, Chad Warner and Scar Blakey.That's why the prospective schedule of tagger Toby Bedford are going to be actually crucial.Bedford, a discovery this campaign, carried out a remarkable job of negating Warner in their round 15 clash, limiting the celebrity Swan to simply 18 fingertips in the course of the 89 minutes they were compared. Will Kingsley offer his best tagger the duty of quiting Warner again today?" I believe you need to be capable to perform the project, the interest in Gulden is actually possibly you simply may refrain from doing the project due to the fact that he works thus hard," Buckley claimed." They have actually obtained loads of tools that they'll need to keep an eye on however so perform the Giants." Buckley threw the gauntlet down to the Giants' on-ball unit to contend with the A-graders at the Swans, particularly given they lost that fight on each affairs this year.In both matches, the Swans gained the contended ownership, allowances and points coming from clearances well." Exactly how great is actually that for Adam Kingsley to be able to throw that to his midfield group and state this is what you are actually mosting likely to be gauged by," Melbourne champ Garry Lyon added.The Giants have won all 3 finals matches against the Swans in their brief history and along with a preparatory final spot on the line, there will certainly be no deficiency of inspiration for either edge come Saturday.Giants' finals wildcard: Brent Daniels" It is actually been actually three weeks since he participated in an activity, when he received concussed behind time in in 2014's preliminary ultimate versus Collingwood, he was the player that was probably to break it open, given that they wished to release him coming from his half-forward part and discover that run through the midfield, his final month of footy's been large."-- Nathan BuckleyNathan Buckley's pointer: Sydney by 13 pointsHiding in pure view - Are actually Swans support?|06:02 BRISBANE v CARLTONSaturday September 6, 7:30 pm at the GabbaHow to enjoy on Fox Footy: Coming from 6:30 pm along with Garry Lyon, Jonathan Brown, Nathan Buckley, Port Riewoldt, Cameron Mooney & David Zita Lions' burning question: How do they obtain the video game on their terms?Brisbane's best is actually completely electric, however their worst isn't terrific on the eye at all.So which Brisbane will develop on Sunday evening and also throughout this year's finals collection? The Lions have actually been a sturdy halt side throughout 2024, yet Brisbane champ Jonathan Brown states the club will be better off making an effort to make the video game fast-flowing to manipulate an underdone Carlton edge. "I believe a round motion game would be actually definitely nice, specifically against a hindered or even certainly underdone Carlton group. When they may obtain their ball action activity going, they are actually the primary group in the competition for this," Brown said to Fox Footy's On The Sofa." They construct with easy marks, yet it's an easy type," he added.The Lions began like a property on fire in their Opening Sphere clash versus the Blues, loading seven targets in the initial quarter to set up a 31-point lead at half-time, before cry overran them in the 2nd fifty percent." In the position around in the 1st one-fourth, Carlton could not quit Brisbane from getting from their rear one-half and also they racked up highly coming from the rear half, before it after that certainly flipped," Buckley mentioned." Brisbane would intend to observe a lot of what they got early in the position round as well as not a bunch of what they got inside the second one-half along with cry going back."" Do not fall into the snare of assuming they play a slow activity if they take 120 symbols and also it is actually mosting likely to be a fast track apex, it is actually going to be actually 30 strange levels," Brown replied.The Lions will certainly regain protective duo Brandon Starcevich and also Jackson Payne for the must-win clash. Double Brownlow Medallist Lachie Neale are going to be actually essential for Chris Fagan's edge, as will definitely fellow on-ballers Josh Dunkley and Willpower Ashcroft. Dayne Zorko will definitely be actually crucial off half-back as they look to move the ball along with attempt and also dash, as will definitely younger weapon Darcy Wilmot.Lions' finals wildcard: Accurate goalkicking" The Lions have actually been in the bottom 4 groups for precision facing target for the season ... this is why they weren't a best four team due to the fact that they miss out on crucial tries."-- Jonathan BrownLions assuming complete durability Blues edge|01:41 Woes' burning question: How many coming back gamers is actually extremely many?Coaches usually have large battles at the assortment dining table at this time of year, yet Michael Voss genuinely possesses half a dozen to contend with. The Blues can be reinforced by the yield of 8 odds-on-favorite gamers, but how many is actually a lot of to rejuvenate in before a massive must-win final?" I do not believe there's a particular amount, but I usually tend to agree with a number of the commentary that you will hesitate to share men who have possessed soft cells personal injuries," Brown said.Brown carried out certainly not hold back when inquired if he will feature twin towers Charlie Curnow (ankle) and Harry McKay (quad), however the other choices weren't certainly not automatically as very clear cut.Brown stated he will play defender Mitch McGovern and utility Zac Williams need to they recuperate eventually coming from their corresponding hamstring accidents, yet definitely would not play Jack Martin, Tom De Koning or even Adam Cerra provided their individual problems. The Blues validated on Tuesday that inspirational past leader Sam Docherty would produce his profit from an ACL trauma in a significant boost for Michael Voss' side.Docherty will certainly give back for the crisis clash simply 183 times after he ruptured his ACL against the exact same edge in Opening Round. "He is actually placed a great deal of time and effort in to returning, and the moment you prepare your mind to something-- he's the determined kind to obtain it done," Carlton vice-captain Jacob Weitering mentioned on Tuesday." The children were actually fed and I ensure he'll do a job for us this weekend break." Cry uploaded a video clip of captain Patrick Cripps sharing the news while gamers resided in the swimming pool, with Docherty's colleagues quickly gathering in the direction of him and releasing him in the air. There is actually no question that Docherty's profit will offer both an on-field increase to Voss' edge, yet also a psychological one.There's a great pipe though in between generating star premium players, likely underdone, as well as interrupting group chemistry.Undoubtedly nearly all of the 8 players stated above are most ideal 23, however the number of may Voss certainly introduce happened staff selection?All eyes will get on the Blues when staffs go down at 6.20 pm Thursday.Blues' finals wildcard: Patrick Cripps" He is actually the man with the superman jumper on his back ... he hasn't been actually extremely dominant (against the Lions in the past), I expect Josh Dunkley to head to him."-- Jonathan BrownJonathan Brown's suggestion: Lions through 15 pointsSCENES as Doctor produces miraculous yield|00:33.