Finals are typically known as the time where the cream rises to the top. The pretenders are separated from the contenders and champions rise on the biggest of occasions.
Last year, it was Mason Cox's out-of-the-blue prelim performance against the Tigers which shocked the AFL world, while Dom Sheed became the toast of Western Australia after his Grand Final heroics.
So who will it be this year? Which player is ready to take their game to the next level this 2019 finals series?
We've gone through each finalist and named the player ready to emerge this September.
3. Richmond - Jayden Short
After missing a large chunk of time midway through the home and way season, Jayden Short returned to the Tigers team with a 22 disposal performance against the Saints in Round 15.
A consistent run of games has followed, culminating in a solid Round 23 outing against week one opponents, Brisbane.
The 23-year-old took seven marks off half back line two weeks ago, while also racking up 23 disposals in a good hit out ahead of the first week of finals.
After missing out on premiership glory in 2017, Short will be hungry to taste glory with the Tigers this year and his rebound from the defensive 50 will be key in achieving this goal.
Similarly to Jason Johannisen in 2016, Short's ability to gain territory by foot could open up some of the close contests the Tigers will likely be a part of in the coming month.
Short led the league for metres gained last season and will likely be put in a position to shine in a defence without its best player.
Accompanied by similarly emerging elite talent Nick Vlastuin in the back-half, Short will take his finals opportunity with two hands after the heartbreak of missing out in 2017 and the disappointment of the Tigers preliminary final defeat last season.
