James Sicily

On track for a potential maiden All Australian berth, James Sicily’s season was suddenly at a crossroads when he injured his wrist in the Round 17 loss to the Brisbane Lions. The Hawks defender is averaging a career-high 23.9 disposals this year as he has taken his transition as an intercept defender to another level. The 23-year old’s return to the Hawks line-up represents a massive boost to the side and expect Sicily to revel in the finals footy atmosphere.

Ben McEvoy

The Tigers rank second-last for hit-outs in 2018, with ruckman Toby Nankervis averaging a lowly 21^stleague-wide for average taps per game this season despite shouldering the bulk of his side’s ruck duties alone this year. Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson has clearly identified this as an area of potential weakness for the minor premiers, opting for two big men in McEvoy and Jon Ceglar. McEvoy is averaging over 30 hit-outs per game throughout his 17 outings this year and another big game of around-the-ground influence from Big Boy will hold the Hawks in good stead.

Watch: Clarkson's press conference ahead of Thursday night

Dustin Martin

Dustin Martin will become the third-fastest player in the game’s history to reach 200 games when he runs out against the Hawks on Thursday night. Last week Martin earned his third consecutive All Australian honour after another outstanding season which saw him average 25.5 disposals, 5.3 clearances, 6.1 inside 50s and 1.4 goals. The 27-year old is a unique proposition to come up against as an opposition player given his ability to affect a game in a multitude of ways. The Norm Smith Medal winner for the reigning premiers last year, the superstar loves the big stage and expect that to be no different in this crunch qualifying final.

Jack Riewoldt

Winning his third Coleman Medal in 2018, Jack Riewoldt is arguably in the best form of his illustrious career. Riewoldt’s game was especially superb over the last month of the home and away season in which he averaged 16 disposals, 7.5 marks and 5.2 goals. The 29-year old is the figurehead of the Tigers’ dangerous offence and has proved almost impossible to stop this season, failing to hit the scoreboard on just two occasions this year: in Round 2 against Adelaide in the Grand Final rematch and in Round 10 against St Kilda when he was knocked unconscious in the opening moments of the game.

Alex Rance

Alex Rance is another Tiger whose wonderful form in 2018 was rewarded with an All Australian selection, the fifth of his career. Rance is pivotal to the Tigers’ brand of footy with his ability to intercept the ball and create drive for his side from the back half. As well as providing this offensive force for Richmond, he is also a defensive juggernaut, ranking third in the competition for one-percenters with his desperation a feature of his game. Expect Rance’s performance, influential or otherwise, to have a massive bearing on the outcome of this match.