Welcome to ESPN Australia's footy contest for the 2021 AFL finals series: Footy Finals Challenge!
What is it? It's a free-to-play game, where you take a few minutes to answer a series of questions related to the upcoming AFL finals series, which starts on Friday, Aug. 27, and ends with the Grand Final on Saturday, Sep. 25. You can play against your friends, family and coworkers, while also trying to climb the overall leaderboard for a chance to win a prize worth $1,000.
Make your picks here.
Listed below are the 12 questions you'll need to answer in order to participate, and our AFL experts have teamed up to supply you some nuggets of info to help guide you through your decision-making process.
Good luck!
Port Adelaide vs. Geelong: Which team will win and by what margin?
Port Adelaide 1 - 19
Port Adelaide 20 or more
Geelong 1 - 19
Geelong 20 or more
ESPN experts say: This will be tight. Geelong has form against the Power this year, having won the clash at Adelaide Oval earlier this season. The Power have also notched just one win over top four opponents this season. Having said that, winning form is good form and the Power go into this final on a high.
Port Adelaide vs. Geelong: Which player will kick the most goals?
Charlie Dixon
Tom Hawkins
Jeremy Cameron
Any Other Player
ESPN experts say: Finals are often tough to pick, and key forwards traditionally don't get off the leash as often as they might in the home-and-away season. Does that open the door for the smalls? Orazio Fantasia, Gary Rohan, or someone else? The logical move would be to not rely on one player...
Port Adelaide vs. Geelong: Who will record the most combined disposals and tackles?
Patrick Dangerfield
Travis Boak
ESPN experts say: After a down Grand Final in last year's decider, you can seen Patrick Dangerfield doing his absolute best to get his side to its first flag since 2011.
Sydney vs. GWS: Which team will win this Elimination Final?
Sydney Swans
GWS Giants
ESPN experts say: The Swans have been much more consistent in 2021, and while the Giants are in some rich form, they've shown they're no lock to show up - especially on such a big stage. The safer choice here is the Swans.
Sydney vs. GWS: Which of these players will be the first to kick a goal?
Toby Greene
Lance Franklin
ESPN experts say: Toby Greene may well start further up the ground in the early parts of this match, while you imagine Franklin will start deep in the forward line. Having said that, if the Giants dominate early proceedings, Greene is likely to be around the ball if it does find itself in the Giants' attacking 50.
Sydney vs. GWS: Will any player record 35 or more disposals in the match?
Yes
No
ESPN experts say: Given that no Swan or Giant averages more than 28 disposals per game, it's tough to see one collecting 35 or more in a high-pressure finals environment.
Melbourne vs. Brisbane: Which team will win and by what margin?
Melbourne 1- 19
Melbourne 20 or more
Brisbane 1 - 19
Brisbane 20 or more
ESPN experts say: These teams played at a neutral venue earlier this year and, boy, what a contest it was! The Lions were red-hot in the first half, but were mown down by the Demons who overturned a 42-point deficit. Sound familiar to Melbourne (or Geelong!) supporters? Again, finals are often more intese, tighter games, so the margin might not be massive, whoever you choose to back.
Melbourne vs. Brisbane: Which player will kick the first goal of the match?
Joe Daniher
Bayley Fritsch
Zac Bailey
Any Other Player
ESPN experts say: There are some tempting names here, but ultimately, if you choose one, you're backing one horse when there are 44 possible first goal kickers!
Melbourne vs. Brisbane: Over/Under 30.5 Clayton Oliver disposals against Brisbane?
Over
Under
ESPN experts say: Clayton Oliver is turning into an accumulation beast, and has averaged 31.6 disposals per game in 2021. In fact, from his 22 matches this season, he's had 31 or more on 13 occasions. Looking at those stats, he's more likely than not to pick up the overs.
Bulldogs vs. Essendon: Which team will win this Elimination Final?
Bulldogs
Essendon
ESPN experts say: Do you put more emphasis on recent form? If so, you're probably looking at the Bombers. What about over the course of the season as a whole? Well, then the Bulldogs' best is better than the Bombers' best. What about head to head? Well, the Dons knocked over the Dogs just a few weeks ago. There's a lot to consider for this match, and it might just be the weekend's most interesting contest, especially given the Dogs were top of the ladder barely a month ago!
Bulldogs vs. Essendon: Which player will record the most disposals?
Zach Merrett
Darcy Parish
Jack Macrae
Any Other Player
ESPN experts say: There are three accumulators listed in this question, and it's a great question. Statistically, Jack Macrae is one of the safest choices given he's averaged 33.8 disposals per game in 2021. If the Dogs can bounce back from their rut and dominate possession, you'd think Macrae would be right there at the coal face.
Bulldogs vs. Essendon: Which of these players will be the first to kick a goal in the match?
Aaron Naughton
Peter Wright
Jake Stringer
Marcus Bontempelli
ESPN experts say: Given Stringer and Bontempelli are more likely to start further up the ground than Wright and Naughton, the safer choice would be one of the key forwards. Wright has been in good form in recent weeks, but Naughton on his day is a marvel to watch. It may come down to which team you think will have the stronger start!