THE MOST crucial battles aren't always the direct ones.

How a key forward performs compared to the big brute in the same role down the other end can be just as important as how many disposals a tagger restricts a star onballer to.

This week's Stats Files looks at one such match-up from each of the first four finals that might play a significant role in which team comes out on top.

Jack Riewoldt (Richmond) v Jack Gunston (Hawthorn)

The All Australian Jacks are major keys for their sides but do their damage in quite different ways. Riewoldt secured his third Coleman Medal with 65 goals, which amounted to 21.7 per cent of the Tigers' majors (fifth in the AFL).

Throw in his 27 score assists (19.8) and he places No.1 for scoreboard impact (545 points) too, with Gunston (437) placing sixth.

Gunston's 48 goals were the second-most at the Hawks behind Luke Breust's 52, but that still made up 17.3 per cent of his club's overall tally (14th).

Richmond targets Riewoldt with 33.4 per cent of its inside-50 entries compared to Gunston's 15.1 per cent at Hawthorn. Gunston actually spent 22 minutes minding Riewoldt in their round three clash this year in a sign of his versatility.

The Hawk is an expert in finding space, winning 11.4 of his 17.9 disposals in an uncontested fashion, whereas Riewoldt rates elite for contested marks, forward-50 marks and forward-half pressure. Expect Dylan Grimes and James Frawley to match them up, respectively.