The AFL finals are where reputations are made, and some players have a remarkable knack for taking their game to another level when September arrives.
During the wildcard games, we saw the importance of star players rising to the occasion, leading their teams over the line in tight games.
Using Wheelo's player ratings, we've identified the key players from the eight remaining finalists who go up a level when the pressure rises.
Each player's career rating will be compared against their rating in the finals, revealing the biggest risers from each team.
Fremantle
Hayden Young's ability to impact games is well known, but his biggest challenge is staying on the park.
He's featured in just 14 games this season, but has been managed throughout the year to prepare him for Fremantle's run at their first premiership.
In his three finals, he has an average player rating of 15.5 in September, 4.17 ratings ahead of his career average.
If Young is able to stay healthy in Fremantle's finals campaign, the Dockers should be set for a deep run in September.
Finals Played: 3
Season Games: 100Finals Average: 15.5Season Average: 11.33Differential: +4.17
Sydney
It's well known that Sydney will be undermanned this finals series, which means their remaining stars will have to carry the extra load.
Brodie Grundy has had one of the best seasons of his career, and his best at the Swans, and will need to continue that form into September if the Swans are a chance for the premiership.
Grundy has an average player rating of 13.08, which jumps to 15.08 in his 12 finals across his career at the Swans and Magpies.
Finals Played: 12Season Games: 251Finals Average: 15.08Season Average: 13.08Differential: +2.00
Brisbane
Will Ashcroft is one of the best finals performers in the AFL, and his two Norm Smith medals prove that.
The Lions are trying to complete their second three-peat this century, and the young superstar will be a deciding factor in this finals series.
Across his career in the home and away season, he averages a player rating of 11.25 and a finals rating of 16.48, the fourth-largest jump on this list.
Finals Played: 8Season Games: 73Finals Average: 16.48Season Average: 11.25Differential: +5.23
Hawthorn
Jai Newcombe etched his name in history last year, becoming the second player to be the highest-rated player in three consecutive finals, the first being Dustin Martin.
In previous finals campaigns, the co-captain has had to carry the bulk of the work in the midfield, with Will Day missing through injury; this year it's different.
The Hawks' engine room will be relatively inexperienced, with Day and Cam Mackenzie starting their first finals campaign this Thursday night against the ladder leaders.
Newcombe has the third-highest jump on this list, with a rating's increase of 5.4.
Finals Played: 5Season Games: 120Finals Average: 18.8Season Average: 13.4Differential: +5.40
Geelong
Oliver Henry definitely isn't a star player, but he plays an important role for the Cats and has shown he can step up in the big games when given the opportunity.
The forward has a career average of 7.46, but his rating jumps by more than double in the finals, averaging 13.7 in his two career finals, the largest jump on this list.
Finals Played: 2Season Games: 105Finals Average: 13.7Season Average: 6.24Differential: +7.46
Adelaide
Adelaide's spearhead Riley Thilthorpe has had a down year in 2026, after making his first All-Australian team in 2025.
Kicking 34 goals from his 20 games in 2026, the key forward will need to stand up once again this season after a disappointing finals campaign for the Crows in 2026.
Thilthorpe wasn't to blame for the Crows' straight-sets exit last season; in his two finals, he averages a player rating of 16.9, a 6.9 jump from his career average, the second-biggest jump on this list.
Finals Played: 2Season Games: 97Finals Average: 16.9Season Average: 10.00Differential: +6.90
Western Bulldogs
The Bulldogs don't have a standout, with their side's biggest riser only jumping by 0.49, and experienced midfielder Tom Liberatore averaging a rating of 14.67 in finals and a 14.18 in-season average.
Liberatore missed the Wildcard final through injury and is unlikely to feature against Adelaide.
The 34-year-old will need to play a key role in the Dogs' engine room to help get his side back to the promised land.
Finals Played: 10Season Games: 258Finals Average: 14.67Season Average: 14.18Differential: +0.49
Carlton
The 2023 Garry Ayres medalist proved once again that he can rise to the occasion in finals, racking up 39 disposals, seven clearances and 17 contested possessions in Carlton's wildcard win over the Demons.
The Blues are on a fairy-tale run since Josh Fraser took over the side, and Walsh has been back to his best under the new head coach.
Walsh averages a player rating of 15.22 in his five finals, 3.21 rating points higher than his career average, and will need to keep up his form from the Wildcard run if the Blues are to run deep in September.
Finals Played: 5Season Games: 152Finals Average: 15.22Season Average: 12.01Differential: +3.21
