Despite the AFL's league-wide warning about resting mass players ahead of finals, it seems clubs will be willing to risk potential fines to best prepare their squads for a premiership tilt.
With the top 10 locked in with a round remaining, every finals-qualified side will be weighing up the pros and cons of who to play for Round 24, and who to give an extra week's break.
Do minor premiers Fremantle risk messing with its form by resting key players for the Dockers' trip to Melbourne?
How does Collingwood balance bringing back some injured guns, while managing the workload of its stars?
Should Carlton sit back and rest its key players for Wildcard Round, or do the Blues need to win so they can stay in Melbourne?
These are the decisions the finals-bound coaches must make ahead of an intriguing Round 24.
Melbourne
The Demons have been the surprise packet of 2026, but will likely be without vastly improved key forward Jacob van Rooyen as he contests a three-match suspension.
Melbourne only has two players likely to come into its squad when at full strength, with veteran Jack Viney returning from a long-term injury through the VFL at the weekend.
And emerging young gun Latrelle Pickett, who returned to the VFL as well after sustaining a concussion.
Melbourne is one of five teams fighting for both a top four spot, and to avoid dropping to seventh and being in the Wildcard Round.
The Demons face a tough opponent in the Dogs in the final round, and it would be a bizarre decision if they were to risk resting players this week.
However, if they were to, superstar ruck Max Gawn and electric midfielder Kysaiah Pickett would be the most likely to be given a rest before the onslaught of finals.
Veteran key defender Jake Lever would fit into that list as well.
