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.
Brodie Grundy
rucks against Kieran Strachan of the Crows during the round 14 AFL match between Adelaide Crows and Sydney Swans at Adelaide Oval, on June 15, 2024, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)
The winner of the first Preliminary Final between Sydney and Fremantle will likely be the team that triumphs in the midfield battle, and nothing is more important than the contest between Luke Jackson and Brodie Grundy.
After one of the great finals performances last week against Geelong, Luke Jackson will be out for more blood this week, with Grundy the only man who stands in his way.
Jackson's numbers of 25 disposals, two goals, eight clearances and 35 hit-outs against Geelong don't even begin to describe the destruction he caused, kicking two monumental third-quarter goals to flip the game on its head.
Grundy too had a strong performance in his final against Brisbane, drawing even with the ruck duo of Sam Draper and Darcy Fort.
There is no perfect matchup to nullify the impact of Jackson, but Sydney is in good hands with Grundy arguably the best chance in the league.
