Christian Petracca during the 2022 AFL Round 1 match between Melbourne and Western Bulldogs (Photo by Cameron Grimes / Zero Digital Media)
The month of September is filled with the memories of players who captured the hearts of fanbases with performances like no other.
Every team in the top eight has at least one of those players.
Some were simply born to be on the big stage, and this year's finals series will unveil the birth of newfound stars who will help lift their sides to the best of their abilities.
Here we break down each club's top player come finals.
It's without a doubt that the spiritual leader of Magpies, Scott Pendlebury, takes the crown for Collingwood.
Even throughout the home and away season, the class that Pendlebury brings to the field is plain to see, as his cleanliness on and off the ball accentuates his threat to the opposition.
His ability to remain consistently calm while pressure bears down makes him the obvious choice as the Pies' number-one man in September.
However, he wasn't the only option considered, as players such as veterans Steele Sidebottom and Tom Mitchell boast admirable numbers were edged out by 'Pendles'.
Finals numbers: 24.25 disposals, 5.2 tackles, 4.9 clearances per game.
Neale, Brisbane's serial accumulator, takes the chocolates as the Lions' top dog in finals.
The 2020 Brownlow medallist continues to prove himself as one of, if not the most important proponent of Brisbane's success.
The ball magnet is crucial to Brisbane's ability to win the ball and lock it inside their forward 50.
His work to win the ball first and give his forwards a clear opportunity to score is what has separated him as one of the best midfielders in the game.
Hugh McCluggage and Josh Dunkley are also thereabouts for the Lions, though Neale edges both.
Finals numbers: 25.81 disposals, 2.4 tackles, 6.9 clearances, and 13.5 contested possessions per game.
Wines stands clear at the top of the ladder for Port Adelaide, as his finals numbers are unlike any other on the Power's roster.
His significance to Port Adelaide's attempt at making the Grand Final has severely outweighed the rest of Ken Hinkley's side.
Wines' substantial work around the contest has paved the way for fellow engine-roomers Connor Rozee and Zak Butters to have career-best seasons.
The dangerous presence of Wines around the contest will be on all teams' minds this September.
Finals numbers: 24.8 disposals, 3.5 tackles, 4.7 clearances, and 12.0 contested possessions per game.
The 2021 premiers have set themselves to once again have another shot at glory, with three key players come September.
Christian Petracca, Clayton Oliver, and Jack Viney all put up similar numbers in the finals but for this instance, Petracca takes the cake after his 2021 Norm Smith medal triumph.
Petracca is an enormous threat to opposition sides in more ways than one, hitting the scoreboard in devastating fashion in addition to his obvious ball-winning talents.
Allowing him to run off from a contest is a perilous act as more often than not, he is punitive with ball in hand. His fearless style of play consistently catches his opponents off-guard.
Finals numbers: 26.25 disposals, 2.3 tackles, 4.1 clearances, and 12.6 contested possessions per game.
Unfortunately for the current-day Blues, not many listed players possess finals experience.
While most expect the likes of Patrick Cripps, Sam Walsh, and Adam Cerra to lead Carlton from the front this September, there is a general question mark over who will be depended on to perform for the Blues.
Zac Williams, who hasn't been available all year due to an early season-ending knee injury, is currently Carlton's best finals player numbers-wise. However, there's little doubt that will soon change.
Finals numbers: 19.0 disposals, 5.0 tackles, and 2.4 clearances per game.
Former Docker and Hawk Hill brings a wealth of finals experience for the Saints, topping the list as their best player in finals contests.
Hill's speed is crucial to Ross Lyon's inexperienced finals side as they will look to continue moving the ball quickly as they did during the regular season.
St Kilda will also look to leaders Jack Steele and Brad Crouch, as well as burgeoning key forward Max King, to help list the Saints to finals success.
Finals numbers: 17.86 disposals, 2.6 tackles, and 13.4 uncontested possessions per game.
Whilst some might expect either the super-experienced Callan Ward or All-Australian captain Toby Greene to take this mantle in their grasp, that's not the case.
Many tend to overlook the industrious contributions of Coniglio throughout his career in orange and charcoal.
Despite Coniglio's Giants falling short of the ultimate footballing glory in 2019, among a rejuvenated side headed by fresh face Adam Kingsley, this year may represent a unique chance at success for 'Cogs' and the boys from Sydney's west.
Finals numbers: 24.5 disposals, 6.6 tackles, 4.6 clearances, and 14.6 uncontested possessions per game.
Parker has been a massive key to the Swans' success throughout the course of the last decade.
While his numbers may not blow the mind in accordance with some others on this list, every team would love a player like Parker on their side heading into a critical finals matchup.
His leadership and consistency are a couple of Parker's most valuable traits. Although, with the likes of Chad Warner and Errol Gulden, among others, coming through the ranks, this mantle may not be Parker's for much longer.
Finals numbers: 19.0 disposals, 5.5 tackles, 4.0 clearances, and 9.6 contested possessions per game.