.In the space of one shot, 18 nightclubs has come to be eight - as the best gorgeous time of the AFL time starts on Thursday evening via finals footy. And keeping that, the microscopic lense on those that remain has simply heightened as they chase the 2024 premiership cup.Fox Footy's On The Couch workers on Monday evening dissected every group's largest question, as well as highlighted eight X-Factors for this finals set - along with a pointer for the four matches.Watch the most effective coverage of the 2024 AFL finals, along with professional study and every video game till the Grand Final LIVE with no ad-breaks during the course of play, on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free test today > Finals Week 1IMAGINE WHAT YOU MIGHT BE GETTING INSTEAD. Totally free and also private help phone call 1800u00a0858u00a0858 or even go to gamblinghelponline.org.au.No leading four staffs in Premiership home window?|01:37 FINALS FULL WEEK 1 FITTING AND ALSO SIXTY-FOUR-THOUSAND-DOLLAR QUESTION (All times AEST) SLOT ADELAIDE v GEELONGThursday September 5, 7:40 pm at the Adelaide OvalHow to enjoy on Fox Footy: From 6:30 pm along with Sarah Jones, Jason Dunstall, David Master, Leigh Montagna, Mark Ricciuto, Eddie Betts & Jon RalphPower's sixty-four-thousand-dollar question: What performs Ken perform with Tom Stewart?Five- opportunity All-Australian Kitty Tom Stewart is accurately effectively respected through Power train Ken Hinkley-- so much in order that it's actually been to his impairment across the final pair of years. In each of Stewart's last three suits, the guardian has actually been actually clamped hard through Electrical power stress onward Jed McEntee, that most lately supported him to 13 fingertips in their direct match-- 3 of which were kick-ins. "Last time, Jed McEntee was actually playing on him as a protective forward, Stewart began as a half-backer and also remained there for the game-- (McEntee) definitely voided his effect on the video game," Brisbane Lions champion Jonathan Brown clarified on Fox Footy's On The Chair. "Stewart's been actually beginning a little bit even more with the midfield (because Round 9), so McEntee will come from half forward and also increase to Stewart (if he plays midfield)-- performs that mean that a Tuohy or maybe a Jack Holly has the capacity to acquire alone as an and also one?" Collingwood legend Nathan Buckley added.McEntee's effectiveness on Stewart was the agitator for Tom Stewart moving into the midfield for the back end of the time-- yet while the 23-year-old has actually marked him efficiently at some end of the ground, he's however to accomplish the same in the midfield, which might actually cause each trainers hassles structurally. Inside midfielder Willem Drew has actually formerly been utilized as a negator of opposition super stars in the midfield and at standstill, but even more recently has actually been discovering his very own footy and injuring rivals on offense. role" This is just one of the earliest of gamers visiting Tom Stewart and mentioning: 'You're certainly not possessing it on your terms as you eat the last 4 or five years, and also it ended up being the catalyst for modification-- he obtained marked out of this half-back position," Melbourne fantastic Garry Lyon kept in mind." McEntee's the one, as well as you would like to keep Drew as the individual that might maintain Dangerfield responsible, especially in contests," Buckley finished through claiming. McEntee went back to the elderly edge in Round 24 against Fremantle after an assignment in the SANFL, and has played 13 video games in 2024-- a lot of which have actually been as a defensive ahead in a role where the general stat piece doesn't say to the complete tale of his impact.Port's wildcard: Charlie Dixon" Charlie's been actually inconsistent, however I presume he's mosting likely to be essential-- in addition to (Esava) Ratugolea ... especially versus those excellent obstruct noting players for Geelong,"-- BrownPort positive they can easily deal with personal injuries|01:48 Kitties' sixty-four-thousand-dollar question: How do they cease Slot's midfield?Chris Scott has actually been actually tested along with a plethora of talent-heavy midfields in his opportunity as both a player as well as instructor, as well as Slot Adelaide's this Thursday night will certainly be actually positively no exception.Power leader Connor Rozee leads a motor room that will 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 night-- leaving behind two-time premiership coach Scott with a whole lot to plan for." They've been prevalent all year it is actually an all-star midfield actually isn't it, specifically the midfielders. Horne-Francis boggled the mind in the very first 40 mins to set up that huge lead during that Sphere 9 video game," Jonathan Brown said to On The Chair." Ollie Glass Of Wines (possesses) possessed a fantastic year, as possesses Zak Butters, as possesses Jason Horne-Francis-- who I think is actually the most damaging midfielder in the competitors." Ken Hinkley's side blew Geelong entirely off the park in the earlier part of the 2024 season, at one phase venturing out to an eight-goal top properly just before half time.The Kitties undoubtedly spared grace in the 2nd one-half, and nearly turned the lead in a second-half surge at GMHBA Arena-- but ultimately failed by one major." Geelong remained in the middle of going through their mid-season slump (in Shot 9), as well as Port Adelaide put among their better performances (all together), and also they can easily place those world-class activities all together," Nathan Buckley carried on." Pair of important reductions though for Slot Adelaide-- Kane Farrell (weakening) as well as Dan Houston (suspension)-- they get a bunch of their run and also bring from there, to ensure that may be definitely bothersome for Slot Adelaide if they're losing allowance," included Brown.And in addition to their reductions on a segment and also fifty percent back, the Power will likewise need to support for the possible explosion that is Jeremy Cameron-- that has resided in seriously sturdy leading into this year's finals series. A bag of 9 goals versus North Melbourne and also six against Adelaide in his last four matches produces him a daunting activity for likely match Aliir Aliir, however it certainly will not be international." Aliir Aliir performed a decent project (on Cameron) final opportunity 18 disposals, 1.1 - fair amounts for a key forward, however he didn't possess any sort of real effect on the video game," mentioned Brown." Our experts have found Jeremy Cameron make mayhem on hostility guardians when he gets right up the industry."" That is actually when he's at his very most dangerous assume Pal Franklin when he gets out of bed (the ground) and arcs back on his left feet," Buckley finished through saying.If the Cats can obtain the ball right into Cameron's palms-- wherever he discovers himself around the ground-- they'll be every odds of securing a home preparatory final, but their first job will be to nullify Slot's midfield.Geelong's wildcard: Patrick Dangerfield" By the end of the day, if they are actually visiting go all the way to premiership glory once more, it is actually mosting likely to be on the back of Patrick Dangerfield ... he requires to generate another enormous alright September for Geelong to go all the way.Jonathan Brown's idea: Port Adelaide through 15 pointsHow do the Pussy-cats stop Horne-Francis & co?|05:16 WESTERN 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: Do they sacrifice speed for experience?Luke Beveridge has actually been actually toying with this concern for many of the season, does he trust his expert professionals to get the job done on the significant phase or even is going to he count on his younger brigade?Melbourne champion Garry Lyon regurgitated pair of names that can happen under variety heat energy today, depending upon what Beveridge determines to value more at the selection dining table ahead of a must-win ultimate versus the in-form Hawks." It's certainly not all on Port Macrae and Caleb Daniel ... however you're betting a Hawthorn side (where) velocity gets rid of," 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, accumulating 23 fingertips and 7 addresses, having actually generated two objectives from 17 touches in minimal time on ground the week just before against North Melbourne. Caleb Daniel, another Pet that has been actually out-of-favour this year, has played the final five complements, finishing his final outing along with 23 disposals and also an objective. Yet the Hawks do not hold off, they manage as well as weapon and also leave no stone unturned, which might trigger troubles for Beveridge and also his training personnel. The similarity Jarman Impey, Karl Amon and Josh Weddle are actually electrical in the back one-half, regularly producing rebounding drive. The Hawks position 2nd in the competitors for post-clearance disputed belongings as well as are the most effective in the circle at post-clearance ground balls. The Western Bulldogs may extend an undersized Hawthorn protection, however that performs leave them along with a restricted potential to contend with Hawthorn's operating activity. Therefore, can they afford to play slower players up the ground given their high visibility onward of center? "You possess got to have the capacity to match all of them, since these 3 high ahead, are they visiting manage to manage half the ground and also make an effort put some pressure on?" Lyon asked. The Hawks extended the Dogs like they have not been actually extended before back in round 8, yet Collingwood champ Nathan Buckley strongly believes the Bulldogs' showing against the GWS Giants in Ballarat recently was actually a favorable sign. "What I saw from the Bulldogs pair of full weeks back, GWS affection to play like that (rapid footy) - Hawthorn, their run and also lug is actually created a bit about what the Giants have actually carried out the last number of years as well as the Bulldogs had the capacity to repress that along with brutal tension, and also's specifically what they're mosting likely to have to perform," Buckley stated. Will Bevo sacrifice velocity for experience this weekend?Bulldogs' finals wildcard: The Three Significant Pets" These young boys are visiting go at it-- Darcy, Ugle-Hagan as well as Naughton ... they have actually remained in ripping chip ... I think Aaron Naughton's got the prospective to really leave the leash, so much interest's visiting enter the other 2."-- Garry LyonBig Dogs readied to creature fast Hawks?|03:37 Hawks' sixty-four-thousand-dollar question: Can they deal with Bulldogs' crucial onward mafia?The Hawks have appeared vulnerable to huge vital forwards all time and the Pets possess 3 outright items in that room. There's no doubt that the three-headed beast of Aaron Naughton, Sam Darcy and also Jamarra Ugle-Hagan would possess given Hawks coach Sam Mitchell some sleepless nights this previous fortnight. "These kids are mosting likely to go at it-- Darcy, Ugle-Hagan and also Naughton-- I believe Marcus Bontempelli are going to flex them as well as well as attempt as well as get forward," Melbourne champion Garry Lyon mentioned on Fox Footy's On The Couch. Over the final seven matches, the Bulldogs triad have actually integrated for an average of 5.7 objectives, 19.6 rating participations as well as 7.4 symbols inside fifty every video game. "They've resided in ripping nick ... I think Aaron Naughton's acquired the possible to definitely leave the chain, a great deal interest's visiting go into the various other pair of," Lyon included." The great factor is as well, those young boys can easily divide and also receive some one-on-one's, certainly about it-- which makes the protective one-on-one contests for Hawthorn's protectors critical," Brisbane Lions champ Jonathan Brown replied. Previously this period in Geelong's huge triumph over the Hawks, Pussy-cats spearhead Jeremy Cameron triggered Mitchell and his training personnel lots of headaches, booting 4.4 from 19 disposals. The similarity Sam Frost, James Sicily, Port Scrimshaw as well as Josh Weddle are actually effectively and absolutely going to possess their work suited all of them on Friday night. Provided the Hawks' weakness down back given the level differents, gaining the midfield battle will certainly be of the upmost importance. The Dogs may possess the household names in Marcus Bontempelli, Adam Treloar as well as Tom Liberatore, but Hawthorn's on-ball brigade have actually certainly stood up this season. The Hawks rank 3rd in the competition for disputed belongings, 6th for clearances as well as eighth for scores coming from clearance differential. Unquestionably the loss of celebrity midfielder Will Day will leave a cavernous gap because system, but the likes of Jai Newcombe, Conor Nash as well as James Worpel are much more than with the ability of standing in the clinches. Hawks' finals wildcard: Jack Ginnivan" Anzac Day Medallist, really loves the big phase as well as is a premiership gamer already. We understand that he is actually grown in this environment there, I presume he acts along with the Occultist and also generates all kind of chaos down there during that rear half, the pair up for them is actually heading to be truly considerable."-- Garry LyonGarry Lyon's suggestion: Bulldogs by twenty pointsSicily opens up on finals clash v Dogs|02:16 SYDNEY v HIGHER western side SYDNEYSaturday September 6, 3:20 pm at the SCGHow to check out on Fox Footy: From 2:30 pm along 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 time this period, the Swans seemed like it will just refer time prior to they secured the premiership. But some personal injuries late in the season saw their drive stop, winning simply one suit in between cycles 16 as well as 21. "I believe there's evidence in the final three full weeks that they carried out-- they looked at that parch of six full weeks between round 16 and round 21 where they only weren't able to receive it going they were one gain and five reductions during that opportunity," Collingwood tale Nathan Buckley determined on Fox Footy's On The Sofa. "They offence coughed as well as spluttered, they were conceding region and also ratings coming from the back half as well as the approval game they count on a great deal had not been there certainly." Yet ever since, the encouragements have shown up for the Swans which has been actually a major factor concerning why the Swans have rediscovered their mojo. The Swans positioned 3rd in the last three weeks of the time for factors for, fourth for points conceded from the protective half and also ninth for clearance differential, major enhancements from 13th, 17th and also 18th during the course of that six-week kind downturn. "Component of that (adjustment in type) has actually had the capacity to receive two of their stars back right into the layer after missing big chunks of the year," he continued.Those pair of superstars are actually seasoned Luke Parker and also captain Callum Mills. "Luke Parker's returned, bit of centre bounce, goes forward, has been hitting the scoreboard as well as influencing at approval," Buckley stated." The other one is Callum Mills, that prior to he went out, he was an authentic midfielder, possibly on a wing ... but now he's returned to where he cut his teeth, which is actually generally encountering target, half-back, really good intercept noting gamer, wishes to be able to take that video game on-- I assume they've been able to carry those kids back into the fold truly effectively." The Swans are readied to receive a celebrity quartet of weapons back before their qualifying final against the Giants. Defender Tom McCartin and also weapon midfielder Isaac Heeney will definitely both come back after being actually managed in the final game of the home and away time, while forward Tom Papley (ankle) and the flexible Justin McInerney (leg) are actually also very likely to become recalled. Swans' finals wildcard: Tom Papley" If his ankle joint is actually 90% match, the remainder of his body, his thoughts, he is actually been relaxed, he'll come back in and he gives electricity and spark, he is actually cherry mature all set to use September."-- Nathan BuckleySwans timid on finals assortments|02:16 Giants' burning question: May they quit the Swans' slingshot?When the Swans are actually up and running, they're arguably the hardest crew to stop in the competition. Over to you, Adam Kingsley. Kingsley and also his mentoring personnel are going to need to discover a method to quit Sydney's ability to change the ball coming from defensive 50 to the forward one-half if they are to become belong a bullet of success on Sunday. "Their back-half round use pleads the inquiry of Adam Kingsley-- just how perform they avoid them coming from managing to slingshot, since that is actually visiting be actually the inquiry that the Giants require to address," Buckley stated. In their two trips versus the Swans this period, the Giants acknowledged 51 and also 33 aspects from the protective fifty percent. "They have actually been an elite crew at slashing coming from the back one-half as well as the Giants will certainly desire to reduce that Sydney supply truly promptly and score off front one-half turn overs as high as they potentially can," Buckley proceeded. The Swans have a plethora of celebrities in their secure, including 4 All-Australian's in Isaac Heeney, Errol Gulden, Chad Warner as well as Chip Blakey.That's why the prospective accessibility of tagger Toby Bedford will certainly be crucial.Bedford, a discovery this project, carried out a significant task of negating Warner in their circular 15 clash, confining the superstar Swan to just 18 fingertips in the course of the 89 minutes they were actually compared. Will Kingsley give his leading tagger the task of stopping Warner once more today?" I assume you need to have to become capable to carry out the project, the worry about Gulden is actually possibly you merely can easily not do the project since he operates so hard," Buckley claimed." They have actually acquired plenty of weapons that they'll have to keep an eye on but so perform the Giants." Buckley tossed the onslaught to the Giants' on-ball unit 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 succeeded the opposed property, allowances and aspects coming from open spaces convincingly." Just how really good is that for Adam Kingsley to be capable to toss that to his midfield team and say this is what you're mosting likely to be determined through," Melbourne champion Garry Lyon added.The Giants have gained all three finals matches against the Swans in their quick history and along with an initial ultimate location vulnerable, there will certainly be actually no lack of motivation for either side happened Saturday.Giants' finals wildcard: Brent Daniels" It is actually been three weeks due to the fact that he participated in an activity, when he obtained concussed late in last year's initial final versus Collingwood, he was the player that was most likely to damage it available, due to the fact that they intended to launch him coming from his half-forward task and also locate that run through the midfield, his last month of footy's been actually large."-- Nathan BuckleyNathan Buckley's idea: Sydney through 13 pointsHiding in plain sight - Are actually Swans support?|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' burning question: Exactly how perform they get the activity on their terms?Brisbane's absolute best is absolutely electricity, but their worst isn't excellent on the eye at all.So which Brisbane will arise on Saturday night and also throughout this year's finals set? The Lions have been actually a tough stoppage edge across 2024, however Brisbane champion Jonathan Brown mentions the club would be actually much better off making an effort to produce the video game fast-flowing so as to capitalize on an underdone Carlton edge. "I presume a sphere motion activity will be actually actually great, particularly against an obstructed or even certainly underdone Carlton team. When they can easily acquire their ball action activity going, they're the first crew in the competition for this," Brown said to Fox Footy's On The Sofa." They create with uncontested marks, however it's an easy type," he added.The Lions began like a house on fire in their Opening Sphere clash versus cry, loading 7 objectives in the very first one-fourth to create a 31-point top at half-time, just before the Blues swamp them in the second fifty percent." In the opening round in the initial fourth, Carlton could not cease Brisbane coming from getting from their back half and also they racked up intensely coming from the back fifty percent, before it at that point certainly turned," Buckley mentioned." Brisbane would certainly wish to see a lot of what they received early in the position around and also not a ton of what they got inside the 2nd half with cry coming back."" Do not come under the catch of assuming they play a sluggish game if they take 120 marks and it is actually visiting be a fast track up there, it is actually visiting be 30 strange levels," Brown replied.The Lions will restore protective duo Brandon Starcevich and Jackson Payne for the must-win clash. Dual Brownlow Medallist Lachie Neale will definitely be important for Chris Fagan's side, as are going to fellow on-ballers Josh Dunkley as well as Will Ashcroft. Dayne Zorko will certainly be actually crucial off half-back as they hope to relocate the sphere along with dare and also scurry, as will definitely youthful weapon Darcy Wilmot.Lions' finals wildcard: Exact goalkicking" The Lions have resided in the bottom 4 crews for accuracy before goal for the period ... this is actually why they weren't a best 4 team considering that they skip vital gos."-- Jonathan BrownLions expecting full strength Woe side|01:41 Blues' burning question: The amount of coming back players is extremely many?Coaches usually have significant problems at the selection dining table at this time of year, yet Michael Voss genuinely possesses half a dozen to emulate. Cry could be bolstered due to the yield of eight odds-on-favorite players, but the amount of is too many to revive in in front of a massive must-win last?" I don't assume there is actually a certain number, however I have a tendency to agree with several of the discourse that you will hesitate to go in with men who have possessed soft cells personal injuries," Brown said.Brown carried out certainly not wait when inquired if he will consist of twin high rises Charlie Curnow (ankle) as well as Harry McKay (quad), but the other selections weren't not automatically as clear cut.Brown claimed he would play defender Mitch McGovern and power Zac Williams need to they recover in time from their particular hamstring accidents, but would not participate in Jack Martin, Tom De Koning or Adam Cerra provided their private problems. The Blues confirmed on Tuesday that inspiring former leader Sam Docherty would certainly produce his yield from an ACL injury in a substantial improvement for Michael Voss' side.Docherty will certainly send back for the crunch clash simply 183 times after he burst his ACL against the very same edge in Opening Cycle. "He is actually placed a great deal of time and effort right into getting back, and also the moment you specify your thoughts to something-- he is actually the determined kind to acquire it carried out," Carlton vice-captain Jacob Weitering mentioned on Tuesday." The kids were actually stired and also I make sure he'll work for our company this weekend." Cry posted a video of leader Patrick Cripps sharing the news while players resided in the swimming pool, along with Docherty's teammates quickly crowding towards him as well as launching him in the air. There's certainly that Docherty's profit are going to supply both an on-field increase to Voss' edge, but likewise a mental one.There's a great pipe though in between producing superstar quality gamers, potentially underdone, and also disrupting crew chemistry.Undoubtedly nearly all of the eight players pointed out above are most effectively 23, but the number of can easily Voss possibly bring in come group selection?All eyes are going to get on cry when crews drop at 6.20 pm Thursday.Blues' finals wildcard: Patrick Cripps" He's the man with the superman jumper on his spine ... he hasn't been actually extremely leading (against the Lions over the last), I anticipate Josh Dunkley to visit him."-- Jonathan BrownJonathan Brown's idea: Cougars through 15 pointsSCENES as Doc makes amazing return|00:33.