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 in the first week of the 2026 AFL Finals, there were many who crumbled under the pressure.
Now with a spot in a preliminary final on the line, there are five players firmly in the gun, in need of a major response in this weekend's semi-finals.
Jeremy Cameron
Uninspiring is the kindest way of describing Cameron's performance against Carlton in Geelong's elimination final win.
The two-time Coleman Medallist had no impact for the Cats, not hitting the scoreboard once again, while only recording nine disposals.
It's the fourth consecutive match Cameron has been held goalless, a feat that has never been done in his career to this point.
This lackadaisical, monotone style of play the forward has been producing since returning from injury hasn't hurt Geelong to this point, but will not be enough against a motivated Fremantle outfit in Perth looking to bounce back from a dismal performance last start.
Cameron must emphatically hit the scoreboard for Geelong, or their trip to Perth could very well conclude its 2026 campaign.
