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.
St Kilda
What to expect: Not many would've expected St Kilda to maintain their place in the eight, let alone secure a home final, but they did it under 'Ross the Boss'. St Kilda have only played at the MCG three times this season, so it will be unfamiliar territory for them hosting a final. Seb Ross, Max King and Dougal Howard all loom as inclusions against GWS, as the Saints continue to overcome the injury crisis which ravaged them earlier in the season. Despite closing their season with a loss to the Lions, St Kilda will go in quite evenly matched with the Giants.
Strengths: Their defensive game style is what has cemented the Saints a position in the finals. Playing typically to his style, Lyon has turned around what was a team in dire straits and ensuring everyone plays their roles and plays to their full potential. In doing so, St Kilda were undefeated for the first four rounds of the AFL season and narrowly lost to Collingwood, bouncing back the next week with a 22-point win over Carlton. They haven't let injuries get in their way and have got the job done this year.
Weaknesses: St Kilda can still be inconsistent. One week they play their best footy, the next they narrowly scrape past a bottom of the ladder team. It has been shown this season that when the opposition catches St Kilda off guard, they lose, as proven by an erratic patch in the middle of the year where they lost four of five games and only snapped the streak by eight points over North Melbourne. They can't afford to be caught sleeping against the Giants.
Star player: Rowan Marshall
Rowan Marshall gave All-Australian selectors something to think about when picking their ruckman for the team, having played his way into the elite ruckmen bracket this season. Marshall ranks elite for disposals, contested possessions and clearances this season, whilst his hitout win percentage sits at 41.1 percent - higher than All-Australian ruck Tim English. Marshall will have the edge over Kieren Briggs next weekend in his quest to launch the Saints into a semi final.
Breakout player: Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera
In only his second season of AFL, Wanganeen-Milera looms as a genuine player who can break the game open. A strong ball user, the South Australian averages 23.5 disposals a game to rank as elite, whilst his dash off of half-back has proved particularly valuable to St Kilda. One of the Saints' best young talents who will be seeking to continue his strong season during his first finals series.
