Beau McCreery during the 2022 AFL Round 1 match between St Kilda and Collingwood (Photo by Cameron Grimes / Zero Digital Media)
The Norm Smith Medal goes to the player adjudged best afield in the Grand Final, and if Monday night's Brownlow Medal count is anything to go by, Lachie Neale and Nick Daicos are good at drawing votes.
But the Norm Smith isn't voted by the umpires, instead, it's a five-member AFL-appointed panel of ex-players and journalists who will determine the winner. But like the Brownlow, the Norm Smith is typically a midfielder's medal, so consider that.
When you think of the Norm Smith Medal, there are many elite footballers that come to mind. Dustin Martin, Luke Hodge and Nathan Buckley just to name a few. However, every so often the award is given to a player that not many would have expected they'd have the impact they did. Names like Jason Johannisen (2016) and Brian Lake (2013) are some rare examples of this.
This year, we've predicted each club's best chances of having a 'smokey' Norm Smith winner. This isn't to suggest these players aren't 'elite', but more names that not many would expect.
Nick Daicos has been at the forefront of the Pies half-back line with Collingwood pricing to be a threat to generate scoring opportunities in transition. Quaynor has recorded 6+ rebounds on more than 10 occasions this season and will look to build on this in the Grand Final.
The 23-year-old averages the fourth most rebounds against Brisbane compared to any other club. If Isaac Quaynor can lockdown his direct matchup, which is expected to be star Lion Charlie Cameron, as well as be the main tunnel of forward delivery, he can be a real chance to take the Norm Smith home.
Beau McCreery isn't a name that fans would usually associate with the best on ground.
However, McCreery has been a high-impact player all season and usually flies under the radar due to his appearance on the stat sheet. While the 22-year-old will rarely venture into the teens for disposals, he regularly features among the tackle leaders.
If McCreery can execute the one-percenters and play high-pressure football, he can most certainly make his case. With that being said, he would have to contribute to the scoring sheet as well as minimise the effect of his opposition matchup to be a chance.
As he continues to defy the odds, Mason Cox has found himself playing in another Grand Final.
While Cox has had his ups and downs like many players, many would point to his performance in the 2018 preliminary final against Richmond as arguably his most notable.
That night, he took eight contested marks and kicked three goals against the hot premiership favourites, helping book Collingwood's place in the Grand Final.
This isn't the only time we've seen Cox dominate a big game. The American Pie had a career-high 21 disposals to go with eight marks and an unlikely goal on the run which helped him secure the maximum possible coaches votes against Melbourne in the Queen's Birthday game last year.
Given Cox has done it on multiple occasions, we expect the big Magpie to be a real chance to be a match-winner.
Coleman is currently in the best form of his short career, playing arguably his best game to date against Carlton last week.
He had an equal game-high seven score involvements and a game-high 11 intercept possessions, taking 10 marks and barely wasting any of his 21 disposals as he racked up a team-high 627m gained.
His ability to set up scores from half-back turned the game in the second quarter as he won the ball, swivelled onto his left foot, and picked out difficult targets in the centre of the ground repeatedly.
If the Lions can dominate early, expect Keidean Coleman to be one of the driving forces.
Zac Bailey is a name that always seems to be prevalent when the Lions are successful. He has shown his ability to execute many areas of the game at a high level and has been a massive contributor to the Lions' success.
So far this season, Zac Bailey has averaged 17 touches, three tackles and a goal per game. The Norm Smith last year was awarded to Isaac Smith who recorded 32 disposals, 12 score involvements, three goals and an absurd 771 metres gained.
If Bailey can slightly lift in these areas to produce a dominant all-round performance, expect him to be among the candidates.
This weekend is set to be a special one for the former captain. Not only will Dayne Zorko be playing in his 250th match, but he will run out with the side he has spent his whole career with as one of the only members from the Lions' hardest days of the past decade.
Zorko will be joined by Ryan Lester as the only players to have been with the club for over 10 years on Saturday.
The Brisbane veteran has come under fire for letting the emotions get the better of him in recent years, but we expect a hard-fought game from Zorko and a disposal count that well exceeds his average of 19.
Watch out this weekend for Dayne Zorko as he hopes to capitalise on the opportunity to become triumphant on the Australian sporting stage.