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Senior Writer- Jake Michaels is a Senior Writer who has worked at ESPN for 13 years. He writes on a range of sports in Australia and around the world, covering everything from AFL to boxing to tennis. He also covers the Olympic Games, as well as athletics and swimming world championships.
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Associate Editor- Matt Walsh has been with ESPN for more than seven years, covering AFL football, tennis, and other sports both online and in podcast form.
Footy finals are often decided in moments, so who are the 'moments men' for each AFL team featuring in September?
Adelaide: Izak Rankine
Is there a player in the competition with a bigger point to prove this September than Rankine? The dynamic Crow famously missed out on last year's finals campaign after copping a four-game suspension for an anti-gay slur. Rankine is already the ultimate X factor, but given he'll feel as if he owes his side after that 2025 indiscretion, we might just be set to watch him reach another level. And that's saying something! No player has been more productive than Rankine over the past eight weeks. His last appearance was particularly memorable, tallying 35 disposals and booting four goals in a win over GWS.
Brisbane: Zac Bailey
This could be the last finals series in which we see Bailey wearing maroon, blue, and gold. The 26-year-old restricted free agent is one of the most in-demand players this offseason, with offers from the Lions and Crows reportedly nearing up to $10 million over seven years. But enough about the off-field, it's his play on the field which is the focus here. Bailey has the ability to rip games to shreds quickly; a multiple goal kicker in 10 games this year, he's averaging career-highs in Rating Points, disposals, metres gained, and clearances. Bailey's become a complete player at the Lions, and with other star names like Lachie Neale, Will Ashcroft, and Hugh McCluggage perhaps taking the attention, he could be in for a big finals series.
Carlton: Jagga Smith
If Smith's first final was any indication of the type of big-game player he is, then Carlton fans will be salivating at the prospect of him wearing the navy blue jumper for the next decade. Smith torched the Demons on Saturday night, finishing with 29 disposals and two goals, lifting his side into an elimination final. The 2026 AFL Rising Star has poise, an elite work rate, great skills, and a mature head, traits that hold you in good stead come September. With so much attention rightly on midfield teammates Patrick Cripps and Sam Walsh, don't be surprised if Smith flies under the radar and proves the difference during this finals series.
Fremantle: Shai Bolton
Would it surprise you to learn Bolton hasn't booted more than two goals in a single game this year? Perhaps you can point to the team success and spread of contributions as a reason, or his increased minutes up the ground (he's attended a career-high 60% of centre bounces), but his 21 goals is the lowest return in a season since 2020 (the COVID year). All that really means is there's another gear for Bolton to engage, and he has a detailed history of hitting the scoreboard and doing significant damage in big moments. Watch out for Shai this finals series.
Geelong: Ollie Dempsey
The 2026 All-Australian wing looms as a difference-maker in this finals series. After a career-best home-and-away year in which he booted 30 goals, Dempsey has form in performing in September. He kicked three goals in the qualifying final last year against the Lions, and then four goals in the losing Grand Final (also against the Lions). His ability to hold width, run all day, get back to defend, and then stretch forward to pop up in the goal square is unmatched across the league. And after a long year, there may be some tired bodies lining up against him. He'll outrun them all.
Hawthorn: Nick Watson
It might seem obvious but could it really be anyone else? The Wizard has well and truly lived up to his nickname in 2026, establishing himself as the competition's premier small forward and earning much deserved All-Australian selection last month. The energetic Hawk has booted a ridiculous 55 goals this season and threatens to hit the scoreboard just about every time the Sherrin is in his vicinity. Watson has already featured in five finals in his young career and has kicked goals in all of them. At this point we just expect him to rise to the big game occasion.
Sydney: Charlie Curnow
You might be thinking 'Curnow, an X factor ... huh?!' Stick with us. Whether fair or not, Curnow has developed a little bit of a reputation of being a finals flopper. In his time at the Blues he featured in three finals and managed just a single goal in each of those games. Those three finals all came in 2023, the same year he won the Coleman Medal with 78 majors. Curnow will be desperate to change the narrative and the Swans will need him to more than ever given last month's controversy and the depleted team that will take to the field this September.
Western Bulldogs: Arty Jones
Okay, we're jumping on the bandwagon as it's already rolling, but Jones is in fine form, and could be the guy to be the difference in another final for the Bulldogs. In general, key forwards kick fewer goals in finals, while small and general forwards do more damage, and after his career-best return of four majors against the Magpies in their wildcard clash, we're backing Arty to have even more impact in September. Two of his highest-rated games ever have come in the past fortnight (vs. Melbourne in Round 24 and vs. Collingwood in the wildcard) -- can he keep it going?
