EMARKETING WEEK 4 BLOG

AFL FINALS, WHO’S GOT THE X FACTOR?

With only one round left of the 2012 AFL Premiership season left before finals, it’s time to start looking at who will be the x factors for each team in the upcoming finals.  I will go through each team and say my opinion of the x factors for each team for them to go all the way and win the 2012 Premiership.

HAWTHORN

LANCE ‘BUDDY’ FRANKLIN

Buddy has been one of the game’s most powerful forwards for the past few years, with two Coleman medals and three all Australian selections. His ability to kick goals from anywhere in the forward line makes him a player we all love to watch. In round 10 against North Melbourne Buddy was at his best when he kicked 13 goals for the match, as seen in the youtube video below (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZArY0CZ6AY). One downside is that his conversion rate as a forward is down and is one of the lowest for a key forward at 52%. He has kicked 55 goals 51 behinds this season and with his recent off field stories while he has been injured could have affected his game. However, on his return to AFL level on the weekend he kicked four goals and hadn’t looked like he had lost it. If Buddy can impose himself on the finals and kick straight like he did in round 10 he will help the Hawks get the flag.

Other potential x factors are Sam Mitchell, Cyril Rioli, David Hale and Luke Hodge.

SYDNEY

ADAM GOODES

Adam Goodes is a dual brownlow medallist for the Sydney Swans, as a key centre half forward and midfielder with skills to play ruck, if needed. He is known for playing well in the big matches with his endurance and quality skills which will play a pivotal role in Sydney’s campaign for a premiership this year. His leadership skills as a co captain will play a big role in nurturing the young list at Sydney during the finals.

Other potential x factors are Josh P Kennedy, Ben McGlynn, Lewis Jetta and Kieran Jack.

ADELAIDE

TAYLOR WALKER

One of the leagues most improved players in 2012 would have to be Taylor Walker. He has improved from barely getting a game last year to being one of the leagues most feared forwards of the game (Could have something to do with the mean mullet). Despite missing over 4 weeks suspension for his sling tackles he is still in with a shot at the Coleman medal. He can apply forward line pressure like a small forward can and needs to be at his best kicking bags of goals for Adelaide to have a shot at the premiership.

Other potential x factors are Scott Thompson, Patrick Dangerfield, Rory Sloane and Daniel Talia

WEST COAST

DEAN COX & NIC NAITANUI

The unbeatable pairing of Dean Cox and Nic Naitanui is key to the Eagle’s premiership chances. Dean Cox is one of the leagues best ruckmen in the competition ranking in fifth for most hitouts in the league. Cox can also go forward and play a role as a key forward when resting from the ruck. The ability for Cox to gain possessions all over the ground whilst in the ruck is another important contributor. Nic Naitanui is a young exciting player who also runs in the ruck, and can play midfield and forward when required. His athleticism and pure skill is amazing to watch as you can never tell what trick he will pull out of the bag whenever he is near the ball. Nic is seventh in overall hitouts behind Cox but ahead of most other teams first ruckmen. The ability of Nic to win contested possessions around the ball also puts in him a league above the rest. Dean Cox and Nic Naitanui are also leading goalkickers out of all ruck men with Cox with the most goals and Nic with the second most goals. Check out this formidable pairing in the below youtube clip (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRbLbWIv8mA).  This pairing is going to be the x factor for the eagles to go all the way in September.

  

Other potential x factors are Scott Selwood, Daniel Kerr, Jack Darling and Andrew Gaff

COLLINGWOOD

DARREN JOLLY

Darren Jolly is one of the most experienced ruckmen when it comes to finals football. He has won two premierships already (Sydney & Collingwood) and played many more finals. He has been niggled by injuries during 2012 but has had a good impact when he has played. For Collingwood to go deep into this finals series they need Jolly to be fully fit and give them first use of the football out of the centre.

Other potential x factors are Dayne Beams, Heath Shaw, Dane Swan and Scott Pendlebury.

GEELONG

TOM HAWKINS

The ‘Tomahawk’ is another improved player this year even since his performance in last years grand final. Hehas found is spot down at the cattery and is playing some good football that has put him up with the best forwards in the game at the moment. He is third in the Coleman medal only two goals behind the leader Matthew Pavlich. He has proven this year he can handle the pressure situations when having a shot for goal, as he did when he kicked a goal after the siren to win the match a few weeks ago. It is critical for Geelong that Hawkins has a very high work rate and finishes off the finals with a few bags of goals and maybe a premiership medal.

Other potential x factors are Joel Selwood, Trent West, Steve Johnson and Jimmy Bartel.

FREMANTLE

MATTHEW PAVLICH

Current leader of the Coleman Medal is the ‘Pav’ who has been looking revived this year as a key forward. Pavlich has looked more dominant this season down forward compared to previous years probably due to the better delivery of the ball from further afield. Only problem is Pav missed last weeks game after failing a fitness test and is no certainty to play the last home and away round. Will the injury lead him to miss some finals and will he return to form straight away once he returns? Champions can bounce back quickly and I think Pav will be back ready to go for finals because Fremantle need him to make it deep into the finals action.

Other potential x factors are Nat Fyfe, Aaron Sandilands, Michael Barlow and Luke McPharlin.

NORTH MELBOURNE

DREW PETRIE

Petrie is a key forward that also plays second string ruckman to Todd Goldstein and has had a stellar season in front of the goals being in the hunt for the Coleman medal. However, he was nullified against the Kangaroos on the weekend and if the kangaroos want to do well in September he needs to be having an influence.

Other potential x factors are Andrew Swallow, Daniel Wells, Brent Harvey and Todd Goldstein.

WHO HAS THE X-FACTOR?

Anything can happen in the finals series because as we all know the intensity of the football lifts another 50% at least when it gets to finals football. If the draw plays out correctly I can see a Hawthorn vs West Coast Grand Final come the end of September, because they have the best X factors. However, all the other sides may cause an upset or two in the process.

All pictures and statistics were retrieved from afl.com.au on the 29^th of August, 2012