MATTHEW RICHARDSON’S TOP 10: Patrick Dangerfield the most important player for Geelong Cats in AFL finals

1. Teams in flag contention need their key players playing well in September.

But who is the most important to their team’s chances these finals? I think it’s Patrick Dangerfield and what he brings to the Cats. For them to go deep into the finals it needs to be on the back of the veteran superstar.

2. Surely if Geelong hosts a final next month they should play it in Geelong not the MCG.

If you earn the right for a home final, you should get it.

3. The Swans are the minor premiers with one round to play, but it hasn’t been without some challenges in the final third of the season.

This is a positive for John Longmire heading into their qualifying final at the SCG. There’s room for improvement but the double chance is secured. The two issues I see them having are their slow starts and their tall fowards. If they start slowly against a fellow top-four team are they going to be able to peg back the gap? I also think they would like a few more marks inside 50 and goals from their three tall forwards Joel Amartey, Logan McDonald and Hayden McLean.

4. Still on on the Swans, Longmire would be thrilled going into finals knowing he has James “the stopper” Jordan in his kit bag.

What a recruit he has been, shutting down the opposition’s most dangerous mids. Over the past two weeks he has effectively negated Nick Daicos and Zach Merrett. He is going to play a massive role in September.

5. It feels like this AFL season is going down to the last minute this weekend and it may well be win and you’re in for Fremantle against Port late Sunday afternoon (assuming other results go their way).

Surely the Dockers can’t lose the last four games and miss the finals? It will be high stakes footy at Optus Stadium with Port playing for home finals as well. What an end to the home and away season? You gotta love footy.

6. You know that scene in Forest Gump about the box of chocolates and not knowing what you’re going to get in life.

That’s Joe Daniher each time he steps on an AFL field. It’s entertaining and that’s why I love watching Joe. He’s one of footy’s great entertainers.

7. There are a lot of players that play at a high level each week that go unnoticed.

Cal Wilkie is that guy at St Kilda. He’s played consistently well from his first minute at AFL level and did it again against the Cats last Saturday night. He’s rarely beaten in a one-on-one contest and wins it back for his team as well as any defender in the competition. An absolute star.

8. Good to hear Christian Petracca has been back in the fold at Demonland.

It appears that some honest conversations were held. You can understand his frustration at missing finals and having to deal with very serious injuries. He’s had some time away to reflect and he will work through his issues with the club and remain in red and blue. It’s important to have honest chats.

9. Jason Horne-Francis has a big ticker.

He dealt with the pressure of being a No. 1 draft pick with the Roos and then the controversial request to move back home to South Australia. It can’t have been easy. But he’s playing at a high level at the right moments for Port Adelaide and a big September awaits him.

10. Declaring my Richmond bias here, but gee it would be nice for the Tigers to finish off the year with a win against the Suns this Saturday.

There is the Dimma factor returning to the ’G, but I’d love for departing CEO Brendon Gale get to sing the song one last time. What a leader for Richmond he has been.