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With the finals upon us once again, there has been enough talk and spotlight of the superstars in the final eight whose team’s finals aspirations hinge on their performances.
So let’s have a look at the next tier of players from each team who have the capability of turning the finals series on its head and making a name for themselves.
COLLINGWOOD
Dayne Beams: He has taken his game to another level coming up to finals time, and after a disappointing finals series in 2010, he will be chomping at the bit to make a name for himself.
Even more dangerous when he wanders forward with the goal kicking yips seemingly behind him, he has added yet another layer to the Collingwood midfield juggernaut. As opponents put work into the big Collingwood names, Beams looks likely to be left off the leash.
GEELONG
Travis Varcoe: He has been a solid contributor for several seasons at the cattery and threatens to become a genuine star of the competition.
Now predominately playing behind the ball, his dash through the centre corridor has torn opposition teams to shreds this year. He is one of the few Cats with genuine leg speed, and when rebounding freely from the back fifty, the Cats look their most dangerous.
HAWTHORN
Isaac Smith: A rangy half forward/midfield type who has outstanding pace and athleticism. Another of the mature aged recruits by Hawthorn who looks as he will shine under the finals spotlight. Has an uncanny knack of getting on the end of Hawthorn’s chains with a goal. Look for him to cause havoc and average two to three goals a game in the finals.
WEST COAST
Mark Nicoski: Another player whose career has been reinvigorated with a positional change and some luck with injuries. Has had an outstanding playing as a defensive forward. After a career ravaged by injury and missing out on tasting premiership glory in 2006, look to him to be among the Eagles best this finals series and frustrate opposition fans with timely goals.
CARLTON
Nick Duigan: In what has been his first year he has conducted himself like a 10-year veteran of the AFL. Has premiership experience in the SANFL and looks to have the temperament to stay cool in a crisis when the heat is on during the finals.
With Yarran and Scotland to provide the dash and flair from the backline, look for Duigan to be solid as a rock. He will provide highlights by displaying courage that borders on reckless which, if Carlton can win a game or two, just might go into the Blues folklore.
SAINTS
Raphael Clarke: Has been injury plagued and much maligned for much of his career. He is one Saints fans like to vent their frustration at and is one opposition fans love to ridicule.
For the last couple of months he has finally strung together some games and good form, and it has to be more than a coincidence that this coincides with the Saints form reversal. He has size, strength and pace, and if he can keep his skill errors and brain explosions to a minimum, he can be a real weapon for the Saints come out of the back.
SWANS
Josh Kennedy: Under-appreciated outside of the Swans, this bloke is a workhorse and typifies the Swans blue collar team.
Absolutely elite at winning the inside ball, and a good decision maker by hand, he is not going to receive much media attention or accolades, however if the Swans beat the Saints, if Ross Lyon is wondering in the post-game review what went wrong, he should take a look at Kennedy’s stat line for some answers.
BOMBERS
Patrick Ryder: Prodigious talent with something to prove come finals time. With a big finals series he could prove a point to his detractors that he is the real deal.
He seems to have regained some form at the right time of year and ready to put his stamp on the finals. He has proved before that he can perform in the big games when he won the Anzac medal but now is the time Bombers need him to stand up.
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