The 2024 AFL Grand Final is less than 72 hours away with the Brisbane Lions and Sydney Swans eager to add another premiership to their club’s history.
Ahead of the match between the two teams, Palmerbet examines the top five players to watch on Saturday afternoon for both sides – the man of the match will claim the Norm Smith Medal.
Issac Heeney (Sydney Swans)
Moving from a forward-midfield role into the midfield, Isaac Heeney has had a career-best season and will be looking to top it off with an AFL Premiership. One of the leading favourites for the Norm Smith Medal, he has been Sydney’s best over the past month and can stand up in the big moments.
He will also be looking to make up for his previous Grand Final performance. In 2022’s defeat to Geelong, he failed to touch the ball in the opening quarter and finished with 11 disposals and one goal.
2024 Stats (Average per game)
25.6 disposals, 13.9 kicks, 11.7 handballs, 4.5 marks, 4.9 tackles and 5.9 total clearances
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrGI4i0Ks5A&pp=ygUMaXNhYWMgaGVlbmV5
Best Now NORM SMITH MEDAL - ISAAC HEENEY @ $5.50Lachie Neale (Brisbane Lions)
A two-time Brownlow Medal winner, Lachie Neale, would easily be considered the best player on the field on Saturday. However, he is currently under an injury cloud, having reaggravated a heel injury against the GWS Giants a couple of weeks ago – he confirmed he will play in the Grand Final.
A standout of the Lions’ midfield, he helped lead the club to the Grand Final in back-to-back seasons but has yet to feature in a premiership that could cement him as one of the great midfielders of the modern era. Able to win the ball cleanly in the middle of the field, he will lead his teammates such as Josh Dunkley, Hugh McCluggage and Dayne Zorko.
2024 Stats (Average per game)
29.1 disposals, 13.5 kicks, 15.6 handballs, 4.5 marks, 3.3 tackles and 7.7 total clearances
Best Now NORM SMITH MEDAL - LACHIE NEALE @ $8.50Errol Gulden (Sydney Swans)
An early favourite to claim the Norm Smith Medal, Gulden has only been in the AFL competition for four seasons but has already earned two All-Australian selections – 2023 and 2024. A Maroubra Saints junior and Carlton fan growing up, he has been one of the most consistent performers for the Swans this season in the midfield.
A product of the Sydney Swans Academy, Gulden has been one of the biggest threats to opposing sides. He doesn’t even get tagged because he still has that much of an impact on the game. It is already known that he will have no less than 25 disposals and is likely to record a couple of goals in the match too.
2024 Stats (Average per game)
27.2 disposals, 19.8 kicks, 7.4 handballs, 5.6 marks, 3.5 tackles and 3.9 total clearances
Best Now NORM SMITH MEDAL - ERROL GULDEN @ $9.00Joe Daniher (Brisbane Lions)
The primary target for the Lions midfielders, Joe Daniher, will be the key target in the team’s forward line. Considered a game-breaker, Daniher has played no less than 19 games a season in his four years at the Lions and has shown that he is durable and incredibly consistent in the forward 50.
A key figure for the club in last year’s Grand Final against the Collingwood Magpies, the former Essendon Bombers player is averaging two goals per game and also finds the team’s smaller-forwards to provide them with golden opportunities. He also doesn’t shy away from the big moments, and he could end up with a big bag of goals.
2024 Stats (Average per game)
15.6 disposals, 12.0 kicks, 2.2 goals, 45.5 goal accuracy, 6.3 marks and 1.2 tackles
Best Now NORM SMITH MEDAL - JOE DANIHER @ $21.00Nick Blakey (Sydney Swans)
One of the best defenders in the competition, Blakey has taken his game to another level this season which saw him earn his maiden All-Australian selection. A product of the famed Sydney Swans Academy, the medium-sized defender will be crucial across the half-back line and limit the number of inside-50s.
Able to control the half-back flank and midfield, Blakey will be on full show with his kicking and marking ability and will try to numb the impact of opposing forwards Charlie Cameron and Callum Ah Chee.
2024 Stats (Average per game)
21.1 disposals, 16.0 kicks, 5.1 handballs, 5.8 marks, 1.2 tackles and 497.1 metres gained
Best Now NORM SMITH MEDAL - NICK BLAKEY @ $18.00