Which player will be the X-Factor for every team this AFL finals series?
Finals are often decided by small margins or a moment of individual brilliance, such as Leo Barry’s famous mark. If your club inspiration to turn a game this finals series, who will it come from? X-FACTORS
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Every finalist needs a game changer.
The type of player who can arrest momentum in the blink of an eye with a piece of individual brilliance.
Of course, superstars such as Patrick Dangerfield, Brodie Grundy, Dustin Martin and Lachie Neale will be defining figures in September.
But which players can provide the spark to lift their team out of a hole or inspire a run which could decide the outcome of a final?
GEELONG
Quinton Narkle
The man known as ‘Sparkle Narkle’ spent much of the season in the VFL, where he averaged 18.3 disposals, four clearances and three tackles from 11 matches. Narkle made an immediate impact after earning a senior call-up in Round 21 with 21 disposals against North Melbourne. But it was his effort against Carlton in Round 23 which signalled how important he could be to Geelong’s premiership hopes. Narkle was electric and registered 134 ranking points from 27 disposals, eight clearances and one goal.
WHAT THEY SAID: “He was really good tonight and he’s been really good at VFL level as well. We love the youthful enthusiasm of our team,” Chris Scott after Quinton Narkle’s senior return against North Melbourne.
If you're trying to tackle Quinton Narkle, you've got yourself a problem 👀#StandProud #WeAreGeelong pic.twitter.com/AVzfr61k0E
— Geelong Cats (@GeelongCats) August 27, 2019
BRISBANE LIONS
Charlie Cameron
The dynamic small forward is arguably Brisbane Lions’ barometer. Cameron only kicked three goals in Brisbane’s six losses this year and 44 of his majors came in the club’s 16 victories. If he can shake the attention of Dylan Grimes in Saturday’s qualifying final, the Lions’ chances will receive a significant boost. Cameron showed in Round 22 against Geelong just how influential he can be to the outcome of a game. As if we needed a reminder after a year where he has marked himself as one the best small forwards in the game.
WHAT THEY SAID: “I didn’t test him out that much in terms of using my pace and trying to take him to dangerous areas. I played into his hands all day,” Charlie Cameron on his Round 23 match-up against Dylan Grimes, speaking to the AFL website.
RICHMOND
Marlion Pickett
Those who watched the last quarter of Saturday’s VFL qualifying final between Essendon and Richmond will understand who quickly mature-age recruit Pickett can impact a game. Yes, the state league to the cauldron of an AFL final is a significant step, but mid-season draftee Pickett has experience on his side. At 27, Pickett has averaged 80 ranking points in four VFL games for the Tigers and he featured in WAFL finals for the past three years. If Damien Hardwick chooses to unleash him, look out.
WHAT THEY SAID: “We’re fortunate to have a lot of players in contention. His mark in the third quarter was quite inspirational. He had a terrific last quarter as well. The great thing about the position we’re in, we’ve got a relatively healthy list, we’ve got a lot of players putting their hands up to play and Marlion is certainly part of that equation,” Damien Hardwick.
Fair mark running with the flight by @Richmond_FC Marlion Pickett. Ended up being a pretty good game of footy too. @superfooty @heraldsunsport @VFL @CanonAustralia pic.twitter.com/8eJn8CxnYw
— Michael Klein (@kleinyheraldsun) August 31, 2019
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COLLINGWOOD
Jamie Elliott
Elliott hits the finals in red-hot form after booting 8.6 in the past two rounds. It will be fascinating to see what his role is with Jaidyn Stephenson and Jordan De Goey set to return against Geelong. The livewire had 19 possessions and bagged five goals against Adelaide in Round 22 and 18 disposals and three majors against Essendon. Nathan Buckley has said Elliott is capable of spending more time on a wing and that versatility would give the Magpies another weapon.
WHAT THEY SAID: “It feels good to kick a few. I felt like I have been building over the last couple of weeks. It’s good to kick straight and finish off the work that’s being done up the field. Hopefully that continues,” Elliott after his five-goal haul against Adelaide.
WEST COAST
Josh Kennedy
West Coast rubbished reports of an injury scare this week and despite most feeling Kennedy’s forward powers are waning, he has still kicked 44 goals from 20 matches. That ranked him eighth for the season and teammate Jack Darling was one of the seven players ahead of Kennedy in the Coleman Medal race. It was only five weeks ago he booted seven goals from 10 kicks against North Melbourne and it’s Kennedy’s ability to have maximum impact from minimal disposals which will have Essendon on edge.
WHAT THEY SAID: “He got a knock to his shin, went off the track, came back and finished training. He’s okay. He’s right to go. Absolutely no issues with JK,” coach Adam Simpson on Monday after rumours swirled Kennedy had been injured.
GWS GIANTS
Zac Williams
How many players have the gamebreaking ability of Williams in three positions? Leon Cameron has the luxury of deploying arguably GWS’ most electric player from a halfback flank, in midfield or up forward, such is his versatility. He adapted with little fuss to a midfield role when both Stephen Coniglio and Josh Kelly were sidelined and averaged 26.5 disposals in the last month of the season.
WHAT THEY SAID: “I think we’ll get him back (in defence this year). But he’s doing a really good job (in the midfield), so I’m happy to lease him out for a little bit longer,” Phil Davis on August 6 discussing Williams’ midfield switch.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Jason Johannisen
The Bulldogs ooze class and depth in their potent midfield and are scoring freely since adding Bailey Dale to their attacking mix. But Johannisen gives Luke Beveridge’s side the linebreaking ability from either halfback or a wing which links the class of Jack Macrae, Josh Dunkley and Marcus Bontempelli with those forwards. After two quiet weeks against Melbourne and St Kilda, he helped ignite Western Bulldogs’ finals charge. In the last five rounds Johannisen averaged 23.6 disposals and four marks. He’s a proven finals performer who won the Norm Smith Medal in 2016.
WHAT THEY SAID: “We have got a good mix of tall and small in the backline. There’s a lot of experienced guys there. Jackson Trengove was playing most of the year, Easton Wood is obviously down there as well. Then you have got the attacking weapons — JJ, (Matthew Suckling) — to name a few,” Hayden Crozier, speaking on the club’s website.
SIX IN A ROW!
— AFL (@AFL) July 28, 2019
What a goal from Shaun McKernan! 👀#AFLSunsDons pic.twitter.com/xfU14KmJ4I
ESSENDON
Shaun McKernan
McKernan doesn’t attract much attention, but his last four games have been superb. He had eight marks and kicked 4.1 against Gold Coast to spark a run of form in which he has averaged 15 possessions, 8.5 marks and booted seven goals. If Essendon is to progress to week two, it will need McKernan and his fellow forwards to negate the influence of Jeremy McGovern and Tom Barrass. He’s shown in the past month the key Eagles duo will need to be mindful of his influence.
WHAT THEY SAID: “I still think if we get in (to finals), we can impact. We know our best footy holds up against the best teams,” Shaun McKernan on Channel 7 on August 11.
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