We've finally hit the 2023 AFL Finals series, and the race for the flag is currently wide open.
Collingwood managed to win the minor premiership after a bumpy run home, but are they still the favourites? They'll meet fellow contender Melbourne in week one in a game that could ultimately decide who stands on the dais on the last Saturday of the month.
Or, will the Brisbane Lions find themselves in a grand final? They have been tantalisingly close on multiple occasions and after securing a home qualifying final this season they loom as a strong chance to go on and secure a home preliminary final.
Whilst it is harder for teams outside the top four to find themselves tasting premiership success, Carlton are riding a wave of belief into finals. Most of their players have never played in a final before but will be ready against the experienced Sydney Swans side who will be out to rectify the mistakes they made in last year's decider.
With such a wide open premiership race, we have broken down how every team performs; what to expect from them, their strengths, weaknesses, star player and a player who could break September wide open.
Melbourne
What to expect: Melbourne enter the finals series in impeccable form, having won seven of their last eight games and their only loss coming in controversial circumstances to Carlton by four points. They're boosted by the fact they play Collingwood at the MCG and won't have to leave their home deck for at least the first two weeks of finals. In what could be a premiership defining game, Melbourne will aim to replicate the style of footy they played on the King's Birthday when they shut down Collingwood and beat them by four points. However, they'll have to kick accurately in what looms as a potential shootout-style game. Lose on Thursday night and the Demons will find themselves at the Gabba or Adelaide Oval in a preliminary final, however, they have come close to winning at both venues this year.
Strengths: Melbourne's experience in finals will stack up against less experienced sides. The Redlegs will also enter September in form, buoyed by a strong performance against Sydney last weekend, whilst their generals down back in Steven May and Jake Lever will also be critical to stopping Collingwood's forwards.
Weaknesses: Melbourne's goal kicking accuracy has been one of their biggest flaws this season and one of their biggest stars in Christian Petracca has cost them the most. At times when the game has been on the line, Melbourne has failed to kick straight. Against GWS, they kicked 5.15, with Petracca kicking 0.4, whilst they nearly lost to Collingwood in the dying stages of the game when they kicked 8.18.
Star player: Max Gawn
Max Gawn would have considered himself unlucky to miss the extended All-Australian squad, having had yet another impressive season. Whilst he has been a little quieter over the last month, Gawn has been one of Melbourne's best in their biggest games, particularly against Brisbane in Round 18. The skipper's ruck work could prove to be the difference, whilst his marking ability will also prove to be important. Gawn had a very even ruck battle against Darcy Cameron last time the pair faced off, but will look to take dominance this time particularly with his finals experience.
Breakout player: Jacob Van Rooyen
With the news that Jake Melksham will miss Melbourne's premiership tilt after tearing his ACL and that Harrison Petty will also miss the remainder of the season, Jacob Van Rooyen looms as a pivotal figure for Melbourne. The second year player has only gone goalless twice this season in what is huge nod to his work rate since he debuted in Round 3. Van Rooyen has proven that he can be the key target up forward when needed, having kicked three goals against Hawthorn in Round 23. The Western Australian looms as one of Melbourne's most important players in his first finals campaign.
