AFL finals 2024: Injuries, form, X-factors and predictions for each side playing for glory

After 24 rounds, 18 has become eight as the AFL finals are locked in. MATTHEW FORREST runs the ruler across each side and how they’re travelling heading into September action.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA. May 4, 2024. AFL Round 8. . Western Bulldogs vs. Hawthorn at Marvel Stadium. Lloyd Meek of the Hawks and Bulldog Tim English battle in the ruck. Pic: Michael Klein

After 24 rounds, 18 has become eight as the AFL finals are locked in.

MATTHEW FORREST runs the ruler across each side and how they’re travelling heading into September action.

QUALIFYING FINAL: SYDNEY VS GWS

A Sydney Derby in a final is every bayside promoter’s dream.

It is now the fourth final in eight years between Sydney and GWS, which adds to the cross-town rivalry.

The Swans have been, for most of the season at least, the best team in it, but the Giants have been one of the best teams recently.

The loss against the Western Bulldogs was somewhat expected after three late changes, but until the last quarter it was still a dogfight in Ballarat.

Sydney will welcome back some big names for the clash, but form means nothing in rivalry games like this.

Prediction: Sydney by 22 points

QUALIFYING FINAL: PORT ADELAIDE VS GEELONG

Geelong’s 2023 premiership defence is looking like an outlier, with Chris Scott’s men back in the thick of the premiership race.

Meanwhile, Port Adelaide will be looking to defy its reputation of an early-finals specialist.

The narratives and pressure on the respective coaches could not be more wildly different, with Scott’s premiership-winning legacy stamped while Ken Hinkley is desperate to break through for a maiden grand final appearance in his 12th season at the helm.

A home final for Port Adelaide is vital, with a win sealing a home preliminary final as well.

But the Cats’ experience has to count for something, with at least 14 premiership players expected to take the field at Adelaide Oval.

A thrilling clash awaits.

Prediction: Port Adelaide by 14 points

ELIMINATION FINAL: WESTERN BULLDOGS VS HAWTHORN

It is rare that the two in-form teams in the competition face off in an elimination final, but that’s what is ahead for the Bulldogs and Hawks.

While they play similar styles of direct, attacking football, these two teams couldn’t be more unalike.

The Dogs have a star-studded key forward division with Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Aaron Naughton and Sam Darcy, while Hawthorn relies on the born-again Mabior Chol and 19-year-old Calsher Dear to hold up their spine.

The Bulldogs’ midfield is littered with contested stars that are in their prime, while Hawthorn’s kids lead the charge in the guts.

With both sides coming off convincing round 24 wins capping off impressive late-season runs locking in finals berths, it is set to be the best game of week one.

Prediction: Hawthorn by 8 points

ELIMINATION FINAL: BRISBANE VS CARLTON

Brisbane will enter its elimination final at home with plenty of confidence.

The Lions had two potential opponents: an injury-riddled Carlton or a Dockers side that had won just one of its past four games.

While the Lions coughed up a top-four chance when they lost to Collingwood, their recent form has been some of the best in the competition.

Carlton had its chance to secure its future but blew it with a Jack Higgins miracle goal and relied on a Fremantle loss in the last game of the home-and-away season.

Predictions will swing heavily as Carlton name returning stars, but if players like Curnow, McKay and McGovern don’t get up, Brisbane will have too much firepower.

Prediction: Brisbane by 33 points