The moments men: Buckley’s 8 players to make a difference in finals

Former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley has listed one player from all eight finals team who could provide ‘the moment’ for each team in September.

Whether it’s a big goal, break from centre or huge defensive stop, Buckley has these players as the most likely from each team to stand up when the game is there to be won or lost.

Buckley explained the criteria for his ‘moment’ players with Gerard Whateley.

“There’s eight teams that are left and there’s four games in week one which are salivating,” Buckley said on SEN Mornings.

“Out of those teams, who is the player that we will look back on as being the most likely from their team to have been in ‘the moment’?

“The moment is the difference. Think about finals which are arm wrestles where something breaks out to decide it.

“Collingwood’s premiership two years ago against Brisbane it was that centre bounce with Nick Daicos and ultimately De Grey to finish that goal.

“So, who is the player from each team that is the one that will make the difference in these moments?

“These are guys who can handle it, they’re combative enough and they’re made for finals. It’s not just physicality, it’s the psychology of being able to handle it.

“These guys can meet the moment… there’s more than one in each team, but these are my most likely.”

Gerard Whateley also put forward his 'moments men'

Adelaide

Buckley: Riley Thilthorpe

Whateley: Taylor Walker

Geelong

Buckley: Max Holmes

Whateley: Patrick Dangerfield

Brisbane

Buckley: Cam Rayner

Whateley: Cam Rayner

Collingwood

Buckley: Jordan De Goey

Whateley: Scott Pendlebury

GWS

Buckley: Toby Greene

Whateley: Toby Greene

Fremantle

Buckley: Hayden Young

Whateley: Josh Treacy

Gold Coast

Buckley: Matt Rowell

Whateley: Bailey Humphrey

Hawthorn

Buckley: Josh Battle

Whateley: Nick Watson

Listen to their picks below: