There's nothing quite like finals footy.
This time of year offers a chance at immortality and glory for a handful of the competition's best. Perhaps just as importantly, it offers a chance at icon status for a rare few who appear pre-destined for the bright lights.
Every club has players primed to explode in September, we know who to keep an eye on this year, it's one of the joys of the business end of the season, seeing individuals embrace the spotlight and elevate their game.
One of the other joys is seeing a young player come of age and have an impact. The entire point of rebuilds and the draft is to see the next generation flourish, to put a club on their back and inspire their teammates to go the extra mile.
We marvelled at Nick Daicos' impressive finals campaign in his debut season (where he averaged 24.3 disposals and 5 rebound 50's per game) and at Marcus Bontempelli's phenomenal finals series in 2016 where, in just his third year, he dominated the finals, winning a best and fairest in a premiership season.
His team mate Bailey Smith, in just his third year, was immense in 2021, putting together four games of the highest quality, including an unforgettable Semi-Final against the Lions where he had 27 disposals and kicked 3 goals. Slotting the match-winner from deep in the pocket earned him instant icon status, if not that, then his celebration certainly did.
As with every Finals series, this year's provides us plenty of candidates who can shape the fortunes of an entire club. To help narrow down the field, we've opted to go for players who have played under 50 AFL games, yet may just be built for September.
7. St Kilda - Mattaes Phillipou
Another with vast reserves of confidence who generated plenty of buzz around last year's draft. Mattaes Phillipou said he wanted to play on the big stage and in his first season he gets that chance. A damaging player who will back himself at all costs, his first taste of September action will be exactly what he hoped for when the Saints grabbed him at pick 10 last November.
With unique size (190cm) and athleticism, Phillipou appears to have all the tools to become a star of the competition. A thumping left-foot and a confident shot for goal, he won't die wondering. His key asset at this stage is his x-factor and unpredictability, he can turn out of traffic on a dime and has a sixth-sense for goal. He has Saints fans salivating at what he might become.
Having played all 23 games this season, his stats are neither overwhelming nor underwhelming. He ranks fourth among rising stars for contested possessions and fifth for inside 50's. At this stage of his career, his impact can be measured more in memorable acts, the kind that will lift team mates.
September is full of those who love the big moments, who do the spectacular and inspire those around them. While Phillipou is still very young (he turned 18 at the start of this season) and very raw, a chance to do something special under the finals spotlight is something he will be unlikely to let pass him by.
