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.
Sydney
What to expect: Sydney are seasoned September specialists and despite their ladder position, don't underestimate what they can do. Looking to avenge their horror grand final loss, the MCG will hold no fears for them against Carlton, with Sydney a team who typically travels well - five of Sydney's last eight games were played away from home, and they won every one of them. Against Carlton's September inexperience, the Swans will stack up well, yet face a big challenge for their undersized defence in taking down twin towers Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay.
Strengths: Life after Buddy has proven to work well for the Swans, who have shared the ball around up forward. The Swans forward line has operated more effectively, scoring more points for, as well as generating more scores per inside 50. Rather than having Buddy as the one target inside their forward 50, the Swans have looked for other options, making it more difficult for opposition defenders to know who they're going to kick to. Hayden McLean, Joel Amartey, Tom Papley, Isaac Heeney, Logan McDonald and Will Hayward have all been a big part of the swift transition since Buddy's retirement, with goals set to come from all avenues.
Weaknesses: Their defence looms as the factor which would de rail their campaign against Carlton. With Paddy McCartin retiring due to his ongoing concussion issues, the undersized Dane Rampe will have his hands full trying to contain both Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow. The pair were everywhere last time they played Sydney, but the Swans were lucky that both of their were kicking inaccurately on that occasion.
Star player: Errol Gulden
Whilst he is only 21 years of age, Errol Gulden is the Swans' most important player heading into finals. Gulden heads into finals in scintillating form, having accumulated 42 disposals and two goals last week with his performances from Round 14-24 showing the game that he is capable of emerging as one of the best players in the league. The young gun had a quiet finals series last season and was barely seen on grand final day but will be better prepared for this year's series.
Breakout player: Isaac Heeney
Not necessarily a breakout player, but more of an underrated player. Heeney's work rate up forward to propel the Swans' since Buddy's resigned has gone well under the radar and he looms as a big player next weekend, particularly as he seeks to rectify last year's grand final performance which saw him go missing after what was such a big year. Heeney has kicked 20 goals since he moved forward, including an important bag of three against Adelaide in Round 23.
