Please Explain: Glenn McFarlane names the hidden gems who can make an impact in finals

STEVEN Morris, Josh Thomas and Isaac Smith are some of the lesser-known players set to play a big role in September.

Steven Morris

DEAR AFL footy fans,

Welcome to September, well almost.

We've still got a few more days to spring and one final, fascinating round of footy until we make it through to the finals.

For a time, it felt like we would never make it.

The whole messy Essendon sports supplements scandal has driven everyone to the point of exhaustion.

That's why we are keen to focus on the footy again, and the footballers are the ones who make the real magic happen.

Despite the fact we have just endured the most controversial home-and-away season on record, a team will still win the 2013 premiership in 29 days' time.

Some players will elevate themselves from good to great; others will go from almost unknowns to announce themselves as players on the big stage.

Here are seven players who could be considered hidden gems going into the most important month of the season.

Isaac Smith

ISAAC SMITH (HAWTHORN)

One of the real wildcards for the Hawks heading into the finals this season.

The 24-year-old has already played six finals, including last year's Grand Final, so he is perfectly placed to help the Hawks go a step further this year.

He has had the best of his three seasons this year and his form over the past month has been nothing short of sparkling.

Not only does he provide great and line-breaking qualities, he has not gone below 20 touches in his last seven outings.

And Smith’s three goals against Collingwood in Round 21 showed his capacity to hurt teams on the scoreboard.

Cam Guthrie

CAM GUTHRIE (GEELONG)

You have to give credit to anyone game enough to take over the No.29 Geelong jumper from Gary Ablett.

Guthrie did, and even though he will never be as good as Gazza, he is more than holding his own in a revitalised Cats team intent on chasing another flag.

For a guy who turned 21 only 10 days ago, he is starting to show a maturity beyond his years.

Since coming back into the senior team in Round 5, the small defender has played 17 consecutive games and found his niche in the team.

Hard at the ball, and cool and composed when he gets it, Guthrie has already been an emergency in a Grand Final (2011).

Now he might get the chance to play in – and maybe even win – one.

Luke Parker

LUKE PARKER (SYDNEY)

In fairness, Parker might have already gone beyond the hidden gem version.

Those who have already won a premiership medal (as the sub last year) and who have taken their game to a new level this year are hardly hidden.

Yet Parker doesn't get the credit he deserves from footy fans, even though he does internally and from opposition clubs preparing to play the Swans.

It's no joke to suggest that he is one of Sydney's key players now, especially given the injury issues the club has faced this year.

Parker, not 21 until October, looks like he is going to be a star, and we'll see more of that next month.

He has already played 53 games, but his impact in his 21 games this year shows why he will be a must-watch in the finals.

Lachie Neale

LACHIE NEALE (FREMANTLE)

Did you catch the first quarter of Freo's demolition of Port Adelaide last week? If you did, you will know what we are talking about when we say Lachie Neale is a future star.

The young midfielder had 11 touches and made an immediate stamp on the game.

He finished with 28 touches to maintain the rich vein of form he has shown since breaking back into the side in Round 17.

The 20-year-old has boosted the Dockers' midfield brigade, consisting of Nat Fyfe, Michael Barlow, David Mundy and others, and has the hard edge to match his silky skills.

He has only played 19 games, and didn't play finals last year, but looms as a real wildcard over the coming weeks.

STEVEN MORRIS (RICHMOND)

Maybe an odd selection, as he doesn't have the finesse of some of the other hidden gems, but Morris is critical to Richmond's finals hopes.

The mature-aged small defender has barely missed a game since his Round 1, 2012 debut, and has rarely been beaten in a match.

He just plays the tight, close-checking defender's role that finals demand.

The Tigers had been crying out for such a player for a number of years, and Morris has delivered.

And even if he doesn't get his hands on the ball all that often, he makes sure his opponents don’t either.

One of the AFL's stingiest defenders, he has sometimes copped criticism from Tiger fan-sites, but insiders know just how important he is to the Richmond finals plans.

Josh Thomas

JOSH THOMAS (COLLINGWOOD)

Ever remember when your mum told you that all things of value are worth the wait? Well, Josh Thomas is the personification of that.

Drafted in 2009, a host of injuries meant that Thomas had to wait four years to make his AFL debut, in Round 1 this season.

But Magpie fans are reaping the benefits of that patience.

Thomas has been a welcome addition to the new-look Collingwood side, playing 17 games, and making a real impression on the field.

His 35-touch, best afield performance against West Coast last week just highlighted what is to come.

Matthew Lobbe

MATTHEW LOBBE (PORT ADELAIDE)

Port Adelaide started the year thinking it had to run with two ruckmen because one was never going to be enough.

It will end the season with coach Ken Hinkley content for Lobbe to be one-out.

Originally from Emerald, the 24-year-old has made the position his own this year.
 
And his standout game against Geelong (59 hit-outs) in Round 20 showed just what he is capable of doing.

Will find it hard coming against the big combinations in the finals, but he has shown a capacity to combine good tap work with hard work when the ball hits the ground.