Richmond faces Port Adelaide in an elimination final on Sunday afternoon at Alberton Oval.
The Tigers have returned to finals, after its straight sets exit of 2022 (S7), while Port Adelaide has not only reached its first finals series, but earned the home ground advantage in the process.
Alberton will undoubtedly be rocking on Sunday afternoon, and will be treated to a tight, tense battle. Port Adelaide's style is about contested footy and surging forward quickly to gain territory.
This quick movement from stoppage has the potential to unsettle the Tigers' strong, organised defensive line, by limiting the time they have to generate the spare in the hole behind the play they rely on.
This will create the opportunity for the Power's forwards – particularly the unpredictable Gemma Houghton, and dangerous small Caitlin Wendland – to fight it out in one-on-ones.
The Tigers, meanwhile, work hard to keep the ball in their front half by intercepting the footy and generating repeat inside 50s.
This gives them the chance to get the ball in the hands of Katie Brennan, Caitlin Greiser, and Emelia Yassir in front of goal, who work well off one another.
It is Richmond's contested marking that has really shone this year, and allowed it to maintain chains of possession, but Port Adelaide will be determined to force the contest to ground level, where it competes at its best.
Key matchup: Shineah Goody v Kate Dempsey
A likely byplay on the wing for the match, the slight but damaging Goody and Dempsey contest will certainly have a big say in the match.
Both have proven their importance to their respective sides in terms of ball movement and transition, but even more crucial has been their intercepting and defensive ability.
Both sit in the top five for average intercepts for their team, with their positioning a kick behind the play regularly seeing them interrupt opposition rebounding attempts, while they are also neat in gathering loose balls.
In each playing their own game, they have the potential to swing momentum their side's way.
