Wildcards of the AFL finals series

THE WILDCARDS IN THE AFL FINALS:

* ADELAIDE - Mitch McGovern

Age: 22

Games: 35

Goals: 51

Finals: 2 (1 win 1 loss)

Finals goals: 2

The spring-heeled forward has just inked a new deal with the Crows, which surely clears his mind for an assault on the finals. His sticky-fingered marking and manic ground-level pressure are made for September.

* GEELONG - Steven Motlop

Age: 26

Games: 132

Goals: 172

Finals: 8 (2 wins 6 losses)

Finals goals: 8

Motlop has put in another up-and-down season after he was shopped around by the Cats during last year's trade period. But his best footy has still been eye-catching and he was prominent in Geelong's important win over Richmond in round 21.

* RICHMOND: Jacob Townsend

Age: 24

Games: 34

Goals: 15

Finals: 0

The 24-year-old midfielder wasn't in the finals picture until injuries in the Tigers' forward half presented an opportunity in round 22. Who knows what he's capable of in September after returns of six and five goals to finish the home-and-away season?

* GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY: Jonathon Patton.

Age: 24

Games: 74

Goals: 117

Finals: 2 (1 win 1 loss)

Finals goals: 4

The time is now for No.1 draft pick in 2011. Has overcome two knee reconstructions and has the size, strength and attacking nous to be a finals star - but can he hit his straps consistently?

* PORT ADELAIDE: Sam Gray

Age: 25

Games 56

Goals: 40

Finals: 0

Port's 'other' Gray is a cherihsed story at Alberton: from Port's SANFL rural recruiting zone, through the state league, to the AFL rookie list, then the main list. The wily forward is in career-best form following a six goal haul last week, and is emerging as a game-breaker.

* SYDNEY: Will Hayward

Age: 18

Games: 17

Goals: 22

Finals: 0

The South Australian didn't expect to crack a game in his first year on the Swans list, but enters the finals as an established member of the side. A classy mover with assured conversion, he's a a key component of Sydney's attack.

* ESSENDON: Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti

Age: 24

Games: 43

Goals: 42

Finals: 0

The exciting forward gets his first chance to increase his cult following on the big stage of September. At his best, McDonald-Tipungwuti is an exhilarating game-breaker whose take-no-prisoners approach looks perfectly-suited to the pressure-cooker of finals action.

* WEST COAST: Lewis Jetta

Age: 28

Games: 152

Goals: 114

Finals: 13 (7 wins 6 losses)

Finals goals: 12

Jetta struggled badly in his first 18 months at West Coast, but the former Swan has turned the corner in the second half of this season. His explosive pace and accurate kicking is a huge weapon, and his dodge-and-weave goal against Adelaide last Sunday sealed West Coast's finals spot.