We take a look at the depth of each team set to do battle in the AFL finals series
VOTE: SOME say finals games are won by the team with the best bottom six players. We rate each team's list.
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IT COULD be argued premierships are not won by a side that possesses the greater strengths, but rather by the team who can best cover its weaknesses.
Taking that a step further, a team's bottom half-dozen players may well have a greater bearing on the outcome of the season's biggest matches than the game's biggest names.
Earlier this year on On The Couch, former premiership coach Paul Roos, suggested as much when analysing last year's Grand Final.
Tell us who the best first-year player was
Roos suggested that in the 2012 decider, it had been the Swans' lesser-lights that had decided the match.
He said players of the calibre of Nick Smith - who kept Hawks star Cyril Rioli in check - Alex Johnson and Mitch Morton had been pivotal in Sydney's thrilling win over Hawthorn.
With that in mind, the SuperFooty team thought it appropriate to analyse each of the final eight side's lists, in a bid to determine exactly how far each contenders' depth runs.
We've cast a close eye over all the finalists and, based not only on their Round 23 line-ups but the sides we think they'll go in with throughout September, come up with the six players we think may best display just how much depth each contender has. The stronger the bottom six, the better that team's chance for success.
Looking at each team's bottom six, do you think this tells a tale? Does one side's look better - at least on paper - than another side's?
Let us know what you think @SuperFooty
THE BOTTOM SIX:
COLLINGWOOD
Jarryd Blair - has a premiership medallion to his name and can step up on the big stage. Toed through the match-winner on Anzac Day last year.
Sam Dwyer - he's 26 but Saturday night looms as the biggest match of his career. Class and ability to create goals still underrated.
Josh Thomas - has been a revelation the second half of the season, so probably stiff to be here. Pies showed patience and he'd be keen to repay on the September stage.
Marley Williams - injury ruined his finals hopes last season but has established himself in the Pies side over the past three months. Another X-Factor Bucks needs to fire.
Brodie Grundy - thoroughly deserves to enter September as the No. 1 ruckman after the scintillating start to his career, but after just six games the real test now awaits.
Alan Didak - the players love him, but will sentiment play a part when Bucks chooses the 22 to run out against the Power? Heath Shaw said his finals experience and goal nous was invaluable, but he's just not the player he was.
ON THE FRINGE - Ben Kennedy, Ben Sinclair, Jamie Elliott, Kyle Martin, Jack Frost, Clinton Young, Darren Jolly, Caolan Mooney
GEELONG
Mark Blicavs - Probably the No.2 big man behind a fit Nathan Vardy.
Josh Caddy - Has cemented his place in the back half of the year as a half-forward. Strong attack on the ball. Has been a goalkicker.
Joel Corey - Veteran Cat in line to play his 274th game this week. Solid season at half-back. Started as the sub in Round 23.
Cam Guthrie - Improving small defender who has made great strides in 2013. Allows Corey Enright to play a more attacking role.
Jared Rivers - Has looked OK since returning and allows Harry Taylor to go forward.
Tom Hawkins - Wouldn't be here if he wasn't hampered but his ongoing back injury means he's severely restricted at present.
ON THE FRINGE - Taylor Hunt, Trent West, Josh Hunt, Jordan Murdoch, Billie Smedts, George Horlin-Smith, Josh Walker.
RICHMOND
Ricky Petterd - has been solid at half-back all season and can play forward when required, although his goalkicking is a bit wonky. Highly rated for his pressure acts. Has had soft tissue injury issues but picked every time he's fit.
Nick Vlastuin - First-year player has been a revelation and is unlikely to be daunted by September. Tough as a cat's head.
Matt White - Speedster was a regular sub but ditched the vest mid-season. His pace breaks open games.
Aaron Edwards - has come off the scrapheap to play a starring role, kicking nine goals in the past two weeks. Lead-up forward with strong hands who takes the pressure off Jack Riewoldt. Keeping Luke McGuane out of the side.
Nathan Foley - the fact he's here illustrates the depth of the Tigers midfield. Can have an impact as a sub but still capable of 30+ disposals on his day.
Jake King - adds an angry streak that is crucial to the team and can bob up and kick goals.
ON THE FRINGE - Shane Tuck, Luke McGuane, Orren Stephenson, Robin Nahas, Sam Lonergan, Jake Batchelor, Matt Dea, Brad Helbig, Matt McDonough, Ben Griffiths.
FREMANTLE
Matt de Boer - a blue collar contributor as Rolls Royces Fyfe, Barlow, Hill and Mundy go about their business.
Lee Spurr - has made the transition from a fringe player to a solid performer out of the backline.
Cameron Sutcliffe - used as the substitute on several occasions, Sutcliffe adds spark when called on.
Lachie Neale - has worked his way up the pecking order and provides much-needed rotations for Docker midfielders.
Paul Duffield - gone backwards with the emergence of Garrick Ibbotson (injured), the new go-to man off half back.
Nick Suban - has taken his game to the next level and provides Lyon with options at both ends of the ground.
ON THE FRINGE: Luke McPharlin (injured), Garrick Ibbotson (injured), Clancee Pearce (injured), Matthew Taberner, Alex Forster, Tom Sheridan, Josh Mellington, Jesse Crichton
SYDNEY
Brandon Jack - brother of Kieren is just ahead of Harry Cunningham when speedster Lewis Jetta returns to the fray.
Andrejs Everitt - versatile big man who plays an important role for the Swans.
Tom Mitchell - he's got talent to burn, but first must complete his apprenticeship behind O'Keefe, Kieren Jack, Kennedy, McVeigh and Parker.
Ben McGlynn - while not the most talented small forwards in the game, his work ethic is second-to-none.
Dane Rampe - the boy from Clovelly has emerged as a reliable defender replacing injured Swan Alex Johnson.
Gary Rohan - the speedster wouldn't be on this list had it not been for his lengthy stint on the sidelines. Can play a bit.
ON THE FRINGE - Lewis Jetta (available), Adam Goodes (injured), Sam Reid (injured), Lewis Roberts-Thomson (injured), Harry Cunningham
CARLTON
Robert Warnock - Posted big hitout numbers with Matthew Kreuzer out of the side between Rounds 20 and 22 and will be important if the Blues need their No.1 big man up forward throughout the finals.
Nick Duigan - Had been out of favour for much of the season but the hard-at-it defender has earned a recall late. A favourite among Blues fans for his aggressive approach, needs to do everything right to keep his place.
Tom Bell - The rookie-listed Bell has made a strong case for his retention in the team even if Chris Judd returns this week. Has averaged more than 16 disposals a game since being recalled in Round 21.
Levi Casboult - With Shaun Hampston out, Casboult appears to have won the replacement forward spot ahead of Sam Rowe. But only once this year did he kick multiple goals in a game - his three against Richmond in Round 21.
David Ellard - Has been usurped by the likes of Curnow and Cachia as Malthouse's preferred stoppers in 2013.
Troy Menzel - Has impressed in his three games since being recalled in Round 20, booting two goals three times, but is still battling to find enough of the footy.
ON THE FRINGE - Chris Judd (injured), Heath Scotland (injured), Brock McLean (injured), Kane Lucas, Josh Bootsma, Nick Graham.
PORT ADELAIDE
Jack Hombsch - After crossing from GWS, the defender came into the side mid-way through the season but struggled to hold his spot. He has shown some good rebound from defence.
Andrew Moore - A career year for the top-10 draft pick who played every game from Round 13. Provides Ken Hinkley with some much-needed versatility.
Jake Neade - Rookie who provided spark in the forward line early in the season before tiring. Gives the team forward 50m tackling pressure and a small forward goal threat.
Kane Mitchell - In and out of the team and ususally the sub but the Morrish Medallist knows how to find the ball and can do damage when given the chance.
Campbell Heath - Picked up from Sydney and played 12 solid games for Port. Provides the club with good defence mixed with a little run and carry.
Lewis Stevenson - Another who found a new home at Port in 2013. After leaving West Coast, Stevenson became an important part of the Power backline before injury curtailed his season.
ON THE FRINGE: Nathan Blee, Sam Colquhoun, Brent Renouf, Aaron Young, Cameron Hitchcock, Tom Logan, Matt Thomas
HAWTHORN
Brad Hill - provides some much-needed run and carry, usually off the bench. Hasn't played many games but is a definite X-factor.
Shane Savage - Seems to be the Hawks sub specialist. However, he has shown what damage he can do by collecting 30 disposals in the Round 20 win over St Kilda.
Taylor Duryea - The Hawks' surprise packet this season. Duryea has provided attacking run and carry out of defence.
Brendan Whitecross - After returning from a knee reconstruction Whitecross gives the Hawks forwardline hardness while also being a secondary midfield option.
Max Bailey - The club's No.1 pure ruckman but has been overlooked for David Hale and Jarryd Roughead. Should get his chance to impress in the finals.
Liam Shiels - Despite an ankle injury, Shiels is highly thought off at Hawthorn and should come back into the team. Is the team's go-to run-with player.
ON THE FRINGE: Jonathan Simpkin, Matt Spangher, John Ceglar, Kyle Cheney, Jed Anderson, Xavier Ellis, Michael Osborne
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