Dwayne Russell's pressure meter for finals week one 2024

SEN’s Dwayne Russell has ranked the eight teams playing off in finals week one in terms of who is under the most pressure.

Russell’s pressure meter ranks teams from 1-8, with number one having the most pressure on them and the most to lose heading into the weekend.

Check out Russell’s pressure meter below.

1. Brisbane                 
vs Carlton – Gabba – Saturday night

“Brisbane are number one on the pressure meter for me by a mile.

“They have the best list in the AFL but no flag yet under Chris Fagan.

“Just because the Lions finished the season well to grab fifth … you can't give them credit for their run in the second half of the season and not remind yourself that they blew the start of the year with the best list.

“To me, I think they're number one. If they lose this week, they're out and will have blown another opportunity with this list.”

2. Port Adelaide          
vs Geelong – Adelaide Oval – Thursday night

“Port Adelaide is number two, no flag under Ken Hinkley despite finishing top four three times including a minor premiership in recent years.

“He’s yet to coach in a Grand Final. But unlike Brisbane, Port at least have a second chance if they lose this week.

“Most experts all year have thought Port's list was no good. Port’s breakeven all year has been to make a Grand Final. Brisbane's breakeven all year has pretty much been to win the Grand Final.

“So Port's number two.”

3. Sydney        
vs GWS – SCG – Saturday

“Sydney's at three, they’ve been the best team in the comp for 90 per cent of this year.

“They finished a win plus 12 per cent above the second place.

“They've been the best team all year. Don't blow this home game against the Giants.

“I've got Sydney at three even though they still have a second chance.”

4. Western Bulldogs          
vs Hawthorn – MCG – Friday night

“I've got the Dogs at four, if they lose to Hawthorn it’s season over and all the good of the last two thirds of this season goes out the door.

“You don't want to be beaten by the longshot Hawks.”

5. Carlton              
vs Brisbane – Gabba – Saturday night

“I've got Carlton at five and the reason I've got Carlton further down the list than the Dogs … is that it’s going to tough to beat the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba.

“But I think still Carlton is in the top five on the pressure meter because pre-season, most people thought Carlton should be a top four team.

“So I think Carlton's five.”

6. GWS        
vs Sydney – SCG – Saturday

“I've got the Giants at six.

“Earlier this year they were arguably the best team in it.

“But they've got a second chance.”

7. Geelong         
vs Port Adelaide – Adelaide Oval – Thursday night

“The Cats are at seven, they won the flag two years ago.

This has been a massive bounce back year to finish the home and away season third

They're also facing Port at the Adelaide Oval … if the Cats win the flag, it'd be a massive surprise.”

8. Hawthorn               
vs Western Bulldogs – MCG – Friday night

“I've got Hawthorn at eight.

“They have a free hit.”