.Who is actually the most ideal crew in footy correct now?That's a various question to 'who is actually gon na win the banner?', because that is highly affected by the fact that Sydney as well as Geelong are actually 2 victories away, while Slot Adelaide, Hawthorn, GWS and Brisbane are three success away.Even if the Swans as well as Kitties aren't the greatest crews in it, the benefit of a guaranteed home prelim final places all of them a great deal closer to a flag than the other 4. That's certainly not to state some of them WILL win it, yet it's additional likely.Watch the most ideal coverage of the 2024 AFL finals, with professional evaluation and every video game up until the Grand Final LIVE with no ad-breaks during play, on Kayo. New to Kayo? Beginning your totally free test today > Semi FinalIMAGINE WHAT YOU COULD BE PURCHASING INSTEAD. Absolutely free and also personal help phone call 1800u00a0858u00a0858 or even explore gamblinghelponline.org.au.So our experts return to our original inquiry - who's the very best team in footy correct now?That's what our weekly Power Positions pillar tries to respond to, and commonly our team relax that during the finals collection given that it is actually evident based upon end results that the best opponents are.But this year was actually odd, because all the enhanced stats state the crews from the bottom one-half of the 8 get on the whole just as excellent - if not much better - than the groups from the top half.Cerra a trade duration check out?|01:05 One of them, the Western side Bulldogs, was removed through Hawthorn in quite exceptional style final Friday night. The Dogs picked an awful opportunity to have among their worst activities of the year, as well as Marcus Bontempelli was as ineffective as you'll ever observe, though credit rating needs to have to visit the Hawks as well.It's certainly not that the Bulldogs were frauds. They weren't even that inconsistent this year - they gained 11 of their last 16 activities, dropping to Sydney, Brisbane, Port, Hawthorn and also in the one especially poor reduction, Adelaide. On the other hand they beat the likes of Sydney (the 2nd time, away), Geelong (away) and GWS (two times). If you're stuck about that late-season Crows reduction, properly, every staff possessed negative reductions this year Sydney shed to Richmond! We maintain the Bulldogs were actually a great crew that experienced one more great group that played better on the night. And also the value of earning a double opportunity, one thing the Pet dogs have actually never ever performed under Luke Beveridge, is that you may possess an off night (see: Port Adelaide, Thursday September 5, 2024) as well as still reside in the hunt.All of the is actually why our team presume the Hawks' eradication final gain is also better than it looked. And then you consider Brisbane, that seriously humiliated Carlton through gaining a 10-goal start, demonstrating how good they may be (as well as just how incorrect they could be, yet that may alter swiftly as our company have actually observed along with the Lions all over this season). The factor of every one of this is actually to launch our Finals Energy Rankings this is exactly how our team rate the 6 staffs left in the defend the flag.See our Finals Power Rankings.Source: FOX SPORTS1. HAWTHORNYep.We're on a hiding to nothing at all below, since the possibilities continue to be stacked against Sam Mitchell's edge. They need to gain 2 away finals, against the best two groups coming from the home as well as away period, to also create the Grand Final (where they would certainly probably possess a home ground perk, also against Geelong). As well as it would be actually simply extraordinary for a crew that was 0-5, and 1-6, to gain the premiership. Perhaps the greatest in-season rehabilitation in V/AFL history.But because that idea the Hawks have actually been actually the very best crew in football since Round 8 they are actually (AFL rankings) No. 1 for ideas for, No. 1 for ideas versus, No. 2 for the turnover activity and also No. 2 for the blockage game.And because the Sphere 10 reduction to Slot Adelaide, where they got rid of a large overdue top and yielded pair of objectives in the last minute, they are No. 1 for both points from turn overs and also points coming from open space. It is nearly a best profile.That game was actually an authentic fork in the road for Sam Mitchell's side - they knew they need to've won it, which it was totally their fault they didn't. Surprisingly sufficient they haven't actually needed to hold off any type of late revivals since then to place the improvements they've created into effect of their 12 wins because that activity, 10 were actually through four goals or even more.In a means our company are actually torn on the Hawks. As overdue as May, every one of our prior presumptions about this list proposed they weren't even all set to play finals, don't bother contend for the banner. Yet whatever because that moment advises they are actually certainly not only a competitor yet THE contender.And it helps that our No. 2 seed is actually the group they regularly beat.Is Tom Barrass worth 2 firsts?|01:582. BRISBANE LIONSWe have actually never had a Grand Final between two groups coming from outside the top 4, and Brisbane will definitely be actually wishing that streak continues, given that they sure wouldn't intend to play the Hawks - that they've lost their last 5 activities against.Since their pre-bye reduction to claimed side, the Lions are the next-most in-form crew in the AFL, gaining 9 in a row before a two-week dip which cost them a shot at the top four.They were actually absolutely prevalent versus Carlton prior to their likely fatal flaw, precision, returned as they attempted to exterminate the game.We love Expected Credit rating, and also it really loves the Lions, considering that they regularly produce lots of scoring tries. Yet early in the year Chris Fagan was regularly talking about his edge's demand to change options as well as, after they improved during the course of their winning streak (comical exactly how that operates!), the troubles are back.In the last eight weeks the Lions are fourth in the AFL for inside fifty differential and also third for ratings per inside fifty, yet just 17th for chance at target accuracy on the other hand the Giants are very first for reliability over that period.That's flawlessly summarized due to the crews' Shot 22 conference at the Gabba which Brisbane frankly controlled, but still lost by 3 goals, given that they booted 8.16 and also the Giants kicked 13.4. Normally communicating our company believe crews will certainly change to the mean and also won't always be inaccurate (or even precise) facing goal. Among the essential factors Collingwood was so prosperous in 2023 was its precision, ranking No. 1 in the circle - in 2024, they rated 13th. But there goes to minimum one thing in the Lions' continual troubles. Genuinely we understand they are equally as very likely to boot 15.10 as they are actually to boot 10.15 this weekend break, yet it really feels a heck of a whole lot more likely they 'd kick the latter, doesn't it?( Of what it's worth they've scored even more behinds than objectives in six of their final 7 video games ... but before that, they had actually scored more objectives than behinds in five of their final 6 games. It's often difficult to allow your mind overwhelm your intestine.)" I wouldn't comment on social media sites"|02:193. SYDNEY SWANSOur actual flag preferred now will be the Swans, despite the fact that they're on a conflict with the Hawks in their home prelim ... because the conveniences of needing to have to win just two finals as opposed to three is actually quite massive.But our experts have hardly been actually enticed through their previous 2 months of footy as well as the certifying final was actually the perfect world of what's right as well as incorrect along with the minor premiers.Their ideal is the AFL's greatest, as well as it's positively electricity. They could be down 4 or even 5 targets as well as you'll believe they can easily return ... considering that they possess, several times.But, as well as this is actually the important things we discussed Collingwood throughout 2023 - it is actually better if you don't must return in the very first place!Their slow begins have actually come to be motto, along with John Longmire's guys leading at quarter-time in merely three attend their final 15 video games. In some cases it hasn't been actually by much, but versus quality groups they have actually trailed much more than they can eliminate. It's an exploitable problem.The Swans look more flawed at either point than the Magpies ever performed in their flag run check out the likes of Joel Amartey, that kicked nine targets in Round 14 versus Adelaide ... and also has booted 9 objectives given that (though one was the winner on Sunday). The protection is actually shaky, as well as also the star-studded midfield was actually likewise well-beaten by means of 3 fourths versus the Giants - Chad Warner as well as Errol Gulden were two of the worst gamers on the ground at that phase ... and then both greatest in the fourth quarter.The simple fact our company've compared the Swans to in 2014's Magpies is actually fairly instructive. When you're two success out of a banner, often the wider fads aren't as necessary as the instants, and also the fourth quarter training last was actually a significant of extremely great moments.And if they can easily come to the Grand Final, our experts believe the Swans will definitely feel fairly self-assured. The ghosts of 2022 will be actually something to get rid of if they experience the Cats, however on paper they're a better edge, and they've beaten the Giants 3 times this year.If it's Brisbane ... effectively, after that at the very least our experts'll observe whose MCG hoodoo is much worse." He have not recommended a club yet"|01:004. GEELONGWe failed to have a whole lot of peace of mind in the Felines entering the certifying final - but the record of teams that control that activity is actually quite telling.This century, 11 previous crews have actually gained a qualifying ultimate through 50+ points, as well as 8 of them succeeded the flag (with two of the others losing to among that eight). Geelong participated in the similarity Richmond 2017, Hawthorn 2013 and also Collingwood 2010. Thus your scenery on the Pet cats may depend upon what you believe 'create' is - and this is the same controversy for Slot Adelaide but in reverse. Definitely based upon recently the Cats are far better than the Electrical power they absolutely decimated all of them with all areas though the scope was actually also reflective of exactly how in finals, teams don't need to worry about amount thus factors will definitely often waste out.But before the certifying final Geelong had actually been lower than remarkable for just about two months in between the 51-point belting of Hawthorn (which looks also better now) and right now, they 'd dropped to St Kilda, nearly lost to Adelaide as well as only convincingly beaten North Melbourne and West Coast. (On the other hand the Energy had succeeded six direct consisting of the smashing of Sydney.) So precisely the training last is actually the absolute most necessary video game over that stretch of your time, however perform we scrap every one of our priors about how excellent the Cats are?The trick here is in fact the midfield, because due to the fact that Patrick Dangerfield came back in Around 15, it have not simply ceased being actually a weak point, it has actually probably been actually a strength. The Kitties have actually been actually a wonderful team at scoring from discontinuances during that period.Dangerfield is actually very crucial through themself - arguably the most vital player to any sort of one group's premiership opportunities - while the similarity Tanner Bruhn, Jack Bowes as well as Tom Atkins suffice to lead them to splendor they are actually certainly not the main reason the Cats are going to succeed, yet they may not be the reason the Cats will certainly lose.And clearly, along with a home preliminary final to find versus a non-Victorian crew that either strains at the MCG (Brisbane) or rarely participates in there and also has been much better at GMHBA Arena in the last few years (GWS), the Kitties are rather well-placed to make a Grand Final. They do not seem like a large flag danger yet reality claims they are.Was McCartney's great too soft or reasonable?|02:115. GWS GIANTSWe definitely would not whine if our company obtained a Sydney Derby in the Grand Final yet our company have not been actually convinced by the Giants for some time.Strangely our experts in fact believe a lot better concerning them now than our company did before the training final. Their record coming into the finals was actually pumped up by a couple of fortunate triumphes that Expected Rating said they should possess have actually squeezed, most particularly versus Brisbane.So there was actually some paradox in the Giants losing a video game they must possess gained - 81-70 on anticipated rating, and 82-88 in reality isn't a large swing, but 3 added objectives for the Swans is still considerable. Those early-game misses through Adam Kingsley's males proved costly.But our company are actually additionally certainly not convinced by the Swans, thus in a way, our company assume that was a near activity due to the fact that both sides are likewise flawed. (See all of them participate in off in the Grand Final now that our experts've said that.) The Giants are actually a whole lot like Collingwood coming from 2022 it is actually not only the fantastic face September as well as the slim qualifying final reduction to the minor premier, yet numbers-wise. In the last eight rounds they're 15th for inside 50 differential in the last six rounds, they are actually 12th for contended possessions, 17th for groundball obtains as well as 11th for open spaces. (Brisbane are No. 1 in the latter 3.) Their astonishing precision has actually painted over the cracks.In simple fact they do not have a great deal in their favor statistically except their elite tension, where they rank No. 1 in the AFL once again, similar to those Magpies.If they may merely create any game frantic - which experiences rather matched for finals - they remain in along with an odds. When they decelerate, like they did in the fourth quarter versus the Swans, they do not look right. The tsunami must continue.Given they've defeated Brisbane two times this year, they surely can gain the semi-final, and also they have actually won their last 2 versus the Kitties as well. (They would probably prefer a GMHBA Coliseum prelim, given they have actually gained 4 straight games there certainly!) However most of the evidence suggests the Giants being much less official than every person assumes, as well as Brisbane is a damn good side. Forthright sets gets on the cards, though certainly not as clearly as it is for ... Slot must pick up from Geelong's oversight?|02:466. Slot ADELAIDEJust 5 attend V/AFL record has actually a crew shed by 84 points or even even more and also happened to win the flag none of those reductions resided in a home qualifying last, of all things.Safe to mention the Electrical power shed all of the footy regard they will acquired over the back section of the season with their demoralising reduction to Geelong (though our company will explain that one of those groups that shed by lots as well as won the flag was actually Slot themselves in 2004, through 92 factors vs the Kangaroos). It is actually a reduction that is actually hard to cover your mind around if you, like our team, do not buy in to the idea that finals are actually THAT different than normal games of footy. Obviously there is actually additional pressure as well as higher-quality adversary to contend with, yet nightclubs shouldn't knuckle under because of what the schedule says.Sometimes things simply occur. Sydney lost by a bazillion suggest this really Port crew, and they are actually still holding a prelim. Hawthorn went coming from 1-6 to Friday night's semi-final. Sport is often extremely odd and inexplicable!All of this is actually to point out Slot Adelaide is not a bad footy crew. You do not end up second while stinking up the junction. They leaked credit ratings once Geelong went inside 50 like a filter - the second-highest cost of the season - which may be partly down to two lacks at halfback as well as the succeeding reorganisation. Yet broadly speaking our team assume they only played truly badly at a dreadful time to participate in truly badly.We are reminded of 2017, when Sydney recouped coming from 0-6 to play finals, getting a semi-final at the MCG versus a Geelong staff that 'd just been actually bashed in their training last. The Swans were substantial favourites much bigger favourites than the Hawks are recently, in relations to the wagering markets.And at that point the Swans shed by 10 objectives. Once more, sometimes things merely happen!There is actually significantly a world where Port Adelaide ceases the Hawthorn shipping train, and then plays Sydney in a prelim, and hey undoubtedly we may take one thing coming from Port gaining through 112 aspects rarely a month back ... Our experts're absolutely not tipping the Power to create the Grand Final, yet the competition is seldom this open along with 6 crews still standing up. Typically now there is actually an eradication last victor who made it via as well as no one truly believes in that crew carries out certainly not exist right here. As well as both qualifying last loss, while quite on the brink of removal, will like their chances if they make a prelim based on current history against the enemies they'll face.All of that is actually to point out: our experts are actually nearly promised to be wrong. And also hi, mistaking ways being actually shocked, as well as our company like shocks!