Can you feel it? It's here. Finals footy.
After 23 games for each club to make or break their year toward the last Saturday in September, we are left with just eight sides.
We saw teams rise and fall to the occasion, cutting more than half the competition as the remaining clubs go a step closer to the premiership. During the home and away season, we saw heroic efforts from a range of players that helped their side secure their spot in the race for the flag, but finals are a whole different ball game.
Now, with September here, we take it up a gear. With all the emotions running strong, clubs look to their most experienced players to steady the ship. So which clubs carry the most finals experience heading into September? We've crunched the numbers.
1. Brisbane Lions
Brisbane find themselves as finals regulars since 2019, having seen their young squad continue to rise along with the help of some experienced stalwarts over the years (Luke Hodge, Grant Birchall, and Jack Gunston) along with players that did feature in finals for other teams (Lachie Neale, Charlie Cameron, and Josh Dunkley) that have risen added finals experience of their own. Both Neale and Cameron own the top spot for most finals played on the list with 16 games each. But their depth with players playing in at least one final stands out with 32 individuals having featured in September before.
Total finals experience: 226 games
Players with finals experience: 32
2. Collingwood
Collingwood has been a side that has found itself sitting in top spot for the majority of 2023. This year could be Collingwood's best chance with a lineup that is damaging both on the scoreboard and defensively. Captain Scott Pendlebury leads the charge for players with finals experience for Collingwood with 28 matches to his name. But experience lies throughout their roster, with 28 players also holding at least one game of finals experience. Plenty of members in their squad also have grand final experience, particularly after their 2018 campaign five years ago, with 10 Magpies from that occasion still on the club's list.
Total finals experience: 216 games
Players with finals experience: 28
3. Sydney Swans
The grand finalists from 2022 have returned for revenge in the hopes of completing their road to glory that cruelly ended in late last season. But in positive news for the Swans, finals experience is scattered across their list. 29 players have featured in at least one game of finals, but the Swans will sorely miss Lance Franklin's 28 games of finals experience due to injury and retirement. With a large portion of the side also playing in last year's grand final, the Swans will know what to expect at the pointy end of finals.
Total finals experience: 209 games
Players with finals experience: 29
4. Melbourne Demons
The 2021 premiers have again placed themselves in a strong position to add another flag to their collection. The depth of the side through trades and their recent success has boosted the list in terms of finals experience. 28 players have featured in the finals for the Demons, with Ben Brown and Lachie Hunter topping the list with 12 appearances each.
Total finals experience: 197 games
Players with finals experience: 28
5. GWS Giants
What a comeback story for the Giants. Earlier in the season, they found themselves in 15th and have since stormed their way into the top eight. GWS have been a strong side in recent years, making the 2019 Grand Final after several seasons of strong finishes. Callan Ward leads with 15 games of finals experience, with 20 teammates joining alongside to gave at least one game to their name. Could the Giants pull off another spectacular finals run?
Total finals experience: 138 games
Players with finals experience: 21
6. Port Adelaide
Port Adelaide has also found themselves to be a contender once again with another impressive season. However, in comparison to the other top four teams, the Power's finals experience is quite low. Travis Boak, for instance, has the most game finals games played with 13, despite playing a career total of 344 games. Port Adelaide does have good depth however, with 23 players all being involved in finals footy in the past.
Total finals experience: 120 games
Players with finals experience: 23
7. St Kilda
Ross Lyon has inspired his side to get back into the finals picture and has plenty of things to be excited for with a young side. The Saints are ranked as the second least experienced side in this upcoming series, but will continue to thrive as the underdogs. A decent share of the team has played in finals before, with 19 players registering a game. Bradley Hill tops the list with the most appearances with 14 matches.
Total finals experience: 70 games
Players with finals experience: 19
8. Carlton Blues
Well, here they are, finally. After years of building their roster and searching for the right coach to lead the way, Carltoin have reached the final eight. With no shock, the Blues are the lowest side for finals experience in comparison to the seven other teams. Only eight players on their list have been a part of finals before, with the injured Zac Williams their number one ranked finals player with 11 games played. Experience could be the main issue for the Blues this year, but Carlton can show that experience isn't everything.
Total finals experience: 30 games
Players with finals experience: 8
