Finals fever THAT'S THE THING ABOUT FOOTBALL!

FOR THESE AFL PREMIERSHIP HOPEFULS, A TROPHY WOULD BE NICE, BUT FAMILY IS EVERYTHING

- Lizzie Wilson and Karleigh Smith

JEREMY FINLAYSON

'My wife is the true hero'

And then there were eight! We've reached the pointy end of the AFL season, but for these players from top-four finishing teams, there's been just as much going on behind the scenes as there has on the field.

Port Adelaide's go-to tall forward and part-time ruckman Jeremy Finlayson is having the season of his career - all while coping with the unimaginable at home.

In 2021, Jezza's partner Kellie was diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer shortly after giving birth to their daughter. This year, the disease progressed to her lungs and is considered terminal, though Kellie, 27, recently revealed her tumour levels are stable.

Jezza's beloved 'Kell' and gorgeous two-year-old Sophia are regulars at Adelaide Oval on game day, and will power him through the finals, which begin this weekend.

"Kell is an absolute superstar person, wife and mum," Jezza, 27, tells us exclusively. "Her unfortunate diagnosis has given a lot of people inspiration and given me a new perspective on life.

"Although football is my escape, knowing that the girls get genuine joy out of watching us win makes everything worth it."

DARCY MOORE