For the opening weekend of the finals, we’re taking a look at two players from each team who’ll need to make a difference if their club is to progress.
Collingwood v Melbourne
Collingwood
Jordan De Goey has transformed his career in season 2023, but the real season starts now and the it will be intriguing how he handles the pressure given he was a part of the All-Australian squad of 44. He will need to burst through packs, win the ball and create scoring opportunities.
Daniel McStay has to play well by bringing the ball to ground as he will be matched up on Steven May and Jake Lever; if McStay can restrict their intercept marking and hit the scoreboard himself, it will go a long way to Collingwood winning the game.
![GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - JULY 02: Jordan De Goey of the Magpies looks on during the round 16 AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Collingwood Magpies at Metricon Stadium on July 02, 2022 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)](https://cdn4.theroar.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/GettyImages-1406345187-1.jpg)
Jordan De Goey. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
Melbourne
Christian Petracca could prove to be a tough match up as he has the ability to play in the midfield, along with drifting forward and hitting the scoreboard. It will be intriguing to see how Collingwood go about negating the influence he has on the game, as at his best it’s a tough task to stop him.
Max Gawn has relished the opportunity to have more time in the ruck in the absence of Brodie Grundy. Gawn is such a difficult player to curtail as he works hard around the ground and is a player whose leadership is impossible to measure. He may be up against Darcy Cameron and Mason Cox; will Collingwood go with two ruckmen? We will wait and see.
Carlton v Sydney
Carlton
Jacob Weitering will face the challenge of coming up against a young, exuberant forward line. Hayden McLean, Logan McDonald and Joel Amartey are all dangerous key forwards. Weitering has averaged 7.52 intercept possessions per game and will have that part of his game challenged.
George Hewett has averaged 9.42 contested possessions per game and has featured in 19 games. He has cemented his spot in the team and has taken advantage of having a spot in the best 22 for Carlton. He is a player that has the ability to win the ball and have an impact on the game.
![Jacob Weitering and Toby Greene.](https://cdn4.theroar.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Jacob-Weitering-Toby-Greene-Carlton-Blues-GWS-Giants.jpg)
Jacob Weitering. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
Sydney
Tom Papley is a player that brings x-factor to the team and can provide score involvements as he averaged 6.32 per game in the 22 games he featured in. He is a player that could determine whether Sydney beat Carlton as he will probably be matched up on Nic Newman at times, whose an attacking weapon for Carlton.
Nick Blakey has averaged the most intercepts per game of any Sydney player with 6.96. He was rewarded for his consistent season by being name in the All-Australian squad of 44. Blakey is a player that provides plenty of run out of defence.
St Kilda v GWS
St Kilda
Jack Sinclair has had a good season for St Kilda; he has averaged the most metres gained per game with 501.13. The season that he had was extremely consistent, which was vindicated by his selection on a half-back flank for the All-Australian team. GWS will need their small forwards to work hard to negate the influence he has on the game. It will be interesting to see whether Sinclair spends time in the midfield in this elimination final.
![Jack Steele](https://cdn4.theroar.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Jack-Steele-.jpg)
Jack Steele. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
Jack Steele will need to be at his best and lead from the front as the game is often won and lost in the midfield. He will up against Tom Green, Stephen Coniglio and Josh Kelly at times. Steele has averaged 7.40 tackles per game in 20 games in season 2023. He will need to play well because the pressure will be on him to set the example.
GWS
Kieren Briggs went from being the third-choice ruckman for GWS at the start of season 2023 to being arguably one of the best ruckmen in the AFL. He will be up against Rowan Marshall who has been instrumental in St Kilda making the finals.
Harry Himmelberg started the season as a key forward, but finished it as a key defender. He has been a revelation in defence and must perform well as Sam Taylor may not play. Himmelberg will have to negate the influence of Max King at times and on other occasions Tim Membrey.
Brisbane v Port Adelaide
Brisbane
Eric Hipwood kicked the most goals of any player in the 2022 finals series with nine goals. What Brisbane need from him is to negate Aliir Aliir and hit the scoreboard. Hipwood is a key part of the Brisbane system, but just needs to be more consistent.
Hugh McCluggage has had a good season in 2023, but has gone under the radar. He could do damage on the inside and the outside. McCluggage is a player that is an integral part of Brisbane’s team, even more so since Will Ashcroft is unavailable.
![Jason Horne-Francis celebrates a Port Adelaide win.](https://cdn4.theroar.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jason-Horne-Francis-Port-Adelaide.jpg)
Jason Horne-Francis. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Port Adelaide
Jeremy Finlayson is one of Port Adelaide’s most important players as he can impact the scoreboard and pinch hit in the ruck. He averaged 6.80 score involvements per game in the 20 games that he has featured in for Port Adelaide. What Finlayson allows is for them to sub out their number one ruckman in the second half and outrun their opposition.
Jason Horne-Francis is a player that doesn’t have to do much in order to have an impact on the game; despite only averaging 17.64 disposals per game, he averaged 5.18 score involvements per game in 22 games. Along with that, he has averaged 4.86 clearances per game, which is the most of any Port Adelaide player. In the Round 18 game he missed against Carlton through injury, Port Adelaide lost by 50 points. It will be interesting to see how he handles his first final.
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