Week three of the 2024 AFL Finals has arrived, bringing with it the thrilling excitement of Preliminary Final weekend, often considered the most adrenaline-pumping round of the season.
With only two spots remaining in the Grand Final, the stakes couldn't be higher.
Who will rise to the occasion?
Below is a preview of both matches, along with key players to watch.
Friday night, our attention turns to the SCG for the first preliminary final. Sydney will host Port Adelaide on their home soil. The Power has everything going in their favour with this matchup, having beaten Sydney eight consecutive times since 2017, and the last time the Swans beat them was in round 20, 2016.
The last time they met was in Round 21 this year, where Port Adelaide smashed them by 112 points, though the Swans still go in as favourites this Friday night. Though all of these statistics are almost irrelevant on Friday, it is final footy, the level goes up, there is a lot on the line, and whoever wins will make it to the last weekend of September.
This game is expected to be a blockbuster at a sold-out SCG, the match will be physical, with arguably two of the best midfield groups in the competition this game will go down to the wire, and whoever can keep their pressure up the longest will win this match. You won't want to miss this showdown.
Saturday night will be a twilight game at the MCG when Geelong host Brisbane in the second preliminary final. The last time the pair played each other in finals was in 2022, a preliminary final where the Cats thumped the Lions by 71 points and then went on to win the flag.
The Lions will be out for some revenge on Saturday. Both sides have experience and superstars, so it is expected this game will be a close one and likely a lot closer than their last preliminary-final clash.
The duo last met this season in round 6 this year, with the Cats winning by 26 points. The Lions have improved this week, and after a courageous win last week, Brisbane is hyped to want more and will be a strong challenge for the Cats.
This game is anticipated to have the MCG on the feet in what is expected to be over 90,000 at the G. This game will determine whether it will make it to the final game of the season.
Below, we have focused on a player who is going into the weekend under the radar, a player who needs to step up, one who's sure to gain plenty of attention, a big matchup, and another who is on a comeback in week three of this year's finals series.
Under the radar: Jarrod Berry
Jarrod Berry will fly under the radar this weekend after a huge performance in the Lions' thrilling semi-final win against GWS. Berry was outshined when it came to his performance, with the likes of his teammates Will Ashcroft and Joe Daniher getting the recognition.
Berry's last quarter was massive last week, with nine disposals and a crucial clearance in the dying minutes, the Lions needed someone to stand up; Ashcroft was, and Berry went with him.
The 26-year-old will play a huge role on Saturday night when they travel to Melbourne to take on Geelong in the second preliminary final. Berry will likely fly under the radar with the Geelong having their hands full with other players like Lachie Neale, Will Ashcroft, Dayne Zorko and probably not putting too much focus into Berry.
Berry is an underdog within the Lions midfield his work rate and efforts go unrewarded. The Cats must be switched on come Saturday; otherwise, Berry will make them hurt.
Needs to step up: Hayden McLean.
Hayden McLean must step up this weekend and take on the role as one of Sydney's number one targets inside 50.
McLean must win more 50-50 against his opponent and take more contested marks, allowing the Swans to have more scoring shots. McLean has kicked 26 goals this year, a career-high; however, he did not kick a goal in the Sydney qualifying final. The key forward must be better than this.
The 25-year-old will be the second ruck on the day and will need to ensure he can win these hit-outs as Port Adelaide has one of the strongest midfielders in the competition, so giving them any advantage from winning the ruckman could be damaging.
McLean has a big role to play this weekend and must lift come Friday night to help guide the Swans to a Grand Final.
All eyes are on... Lachie Neale
All eyes will be on Lachie Neale and how fit the superstar is. Neale left the Lions' thrilling win in a moon boot after he seemed to aggravate his ankle in the final minutes of the game. Fagan said it has been an ongoing problem, and they are managing it, asserting the two-time Brownlow medalists will be fit and ready to go.
Neale plays a huge role for the Lions, and his experience is massive. If Neale is slightly not at 100% fitness, it might hurt the Lions if the match is a nail-biter. The Geelong midfielders, no doubt, would be aware Neale is carrying an injury and will be making it tough for him all night on Saturday.
While it is likely Neale will be fine, how much not having the weekend off favours Geelong and put Neale's fitness in jeopardy?
Last week's win against the Giants must have taken a lot out of Neale, especially with his injury, so all eyes will be on the two-time Brownlow medallist and how well he is moving come Saturday.
The big matchup: Jeremy Cameron and Harris Andrews
The biggest matchup this weekend is between key forward Jeremy Cameron and key defender Harris Andrews.
Both these players are in great form and will play a huge role for their respective teams. Whoever wins this matchup will likely help play a big shift in the momentum. This matchup will be physical and one to watch.
If Cameron can get some goals early, he will be very hard to stop, though if Andrews can get some intercept marks or take Cameron out of the game early and reduce his impact on the scoreboard, this will be a win for the Lions.
This is a must-watch matchup between two of the best in the competition in their respective positions.
On the comeback: Tom Stewart
Tom Stewart will return this weekend for the Cats. This is a big in for Chris Scott's side as they push for their second premiership in the past three years.
Stewart was a late out in the Cats qualifying final win in Adelaide due to illness, though the key defender has recovered and, after a week off, is ready to go.
This is a huge return for the Cats as they will have their hands full with the Lions forward line with Joe Daniher, Eric Hipwood and Charlie Cameron.
Stewart's experience and defensive craft will be massive on Saturday, and the Cats are a much better side with him in it.
The 31-year-old knows what it takes to win final footy, and the defence is key to success in September.
