There are two types of players when we get to September: those who rise to the occasion, and those who crumble under the finals pressure.
For the superstars of the competition, there is an expectation that they will rise and deliver for their clubs in September, but that is not always the case, with many players crumbling when faced with the challenge.
Now with a spot in the Grand Final on the line, there are five players firmly in the gun, in need of a major performance in this weekend's Preliminary Finals.
Nick Watson
There wouldn't be many players who would have a worse night's sleep than the one tasked to stop ‘The Wizard' the next night, but if there is one player who could rest easier, it's Noah Answerth.
In his short time in the league, Watson has managed to embarrass many of his opponents, firmly cementing himself as the best small forward in the league.
But when it comes to his matchup with Answerth, Watson has never managed to make an impact, kicking just one goal total in his three career appearances against the Lions, averaging just 9.3 disposals.
Watson's player ratings in these games, according to Wheelo Ratings, put him as the 22nd, 29th and 46th rated players on the ground, a stark contrast to his overall season rating as the 11th best in the competition.
The small forward performed phenomenally in the Hawks' Qualifying Final win over Fremantle, and with Answerth coming off an injury, Watson is now in a great position to break the hoodoo, leading Hawthorn to their first Grand Final since 2015.
