Week one of the 2024 AFL Finals is finally here with new stories and chapters to be written this weekend. All four matches are sold out, setting up what is expected to be a huge weekend of football.
Thursday night footy is back with the huge qualifying final between Port Adelaide and Geelong at Adelaide Oval. Both these teams are in great form and have earned the privilege of a top four spot. This game is expected to be fierce and will likely set the tone for the rest of the weekend.
Friday night our attention turns to the MCG, the home of Australian Football, for arguably the game of the weekend. The Western Bulldogs will take on Hawthorn under the lights. This game is anticipated to be the game of the weekend as both teams are arguably the most in-form teams of the past month. Both teams can not go through to the second week of finals, so it's do-or-die.
Saturday afternoon features the other qualifying final, a Sydney Derby – the battle for bragging rights in the Harbour City. While the Swans won both derbies this year, the Giants have won all three of their finals appearances against the Swans. It's shaping up to be a massive clash and the game could go either way, it's almost impossible to pick the favourite.
The final match of the weekend will be at the Gabba when Brisbane host Carlton in an elimination final. The last two times these teams played at the Gabba we saw Carlton win by one point in Opening Round and last year's preliminary dinal where the Lions won by 16 points. Carlton is against the odds with their significant injury list so if they got up and won it would be huge, with the Lions the favourites, though do not count the Blues out as their best brand of football is hard to beat.
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 one of this year's finals series.
Oliver Hollands has had a great past month of football, stepping up amid the Blues' injury woes. Hollands will fly under the radar on Saturday night, and if the Lions aren't prepared the 20-year-old will do serious damage.
Hollands has averaged nearly 23 disposals in the past three games and had 8 score involvements in Round 24. The youngster is damaging with the ball and is also a high-pressure player, causing grief to his opposition.
Hollands will be a huge threat on Saturday night, and considering his form the Lions will not want to give the youngster too much space otherwise he will cause huge problems all night.
The midfielder is a player to watch on Saturday night at the Gabba.
Eric Hipwood must step up this weekend. While the key forward hasn't had much consistency and continuity, having to go back in defence to help with Brisbane's injuries, there will be pressure on him to perform against the Blues.
The key forward's form has dropped off in the past month, only managing two goals over four games. If Brisbane want to win this weekend they can't only rely on Daniher, they must get the most out of Hipwood.
The 26-year-old must improve on his past month of football. Hipwood has had finals experience, kicking at least one goal in each of the Lions finals matches last year, but he must do better than this. If the Lions want to cause damage on the scoreboard they need Hipwood contributing.
The key forward must lift this weekend, he has had a week off to rest up and get any niggles sorted, there is no excuse as it's finals footy. On home soil, the stage is set for Hipwood to have a big match and help lead the Lions deep into September again this year.
All eyes will be on All-Australian Adam Treloar on Friday night and the fitness of the midfielder.
During the final game of the home and away season, Treloar experienced calf tightness but managed to get through the whole game.
The 31-year-old had scans following the game and was cleared of any serious injury, but how much has this impacted his preparation for the Bulldogs' elimination final?
The Bulldogs don't have the privilege of a qualifying final, it is do or die, there is no next week if they lose. Playing Treloar might be a gamble, but having an All-Australian player like him this year is valuable, even if the superstar isn't at peak fitness.
The biggest matchup this weekend is between defender Brisbane Harris Andrews and Carlton key forward Charlie Curnow.
Both players were unlucky to miss the All-Australian side this year but the duo are key players for their respective sides and arguably the best in their positions across the competition.
Andrews is a rock in the Lions' defence, consistently making it tough for opposing forwards to score. Curnow, having been sidelined by injury, is expected to return, though it's uncertain how much his time out has impacted him.
If Curnow can get on top early with a few goals, the momentum will go his way, however if Andrews gets in the way and shuts the key forward down, Curnow might have a tough night ahead of him.
This is a must-watch matchup and will likely play a huge role in the momentum of the game.
Sam Docherty will return for his second game of the year this weekend in the first elimination final against Brisbane.
Docherty tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus in the opening round against Brisbane in March, it was the 30-year-old's third ACL injury.
On Tuesday, the club confirmed Docherty would return to football after 183 days sidelined. The veteran has worked hard for five months doing his rehabilitation to be available for his second straight September campaign.
This will be a huge boost for Micheal Voss' side to have a player like Docherty back in the team, known for his resilience and courageous football.
Docherty is likely to be joined by Harry McKay and Curnow who are also pushing to return after injuries in the past month.
The Blues will look like a completely different side from Round 24 with more players to return.
Docherty's comeback is one of the stories of the year and to take the field on Saturday is a huge moment in the Blues' season.