The battles within the (football) war.

Plenty needs to go right for a team to win an AFL final, so players taking the honours in their individual match-up or positional groups are crucial pieces of the overall puzzle.

AFL.com.au, with help from the competition's official number-cruncher Champion Data, has delved into a key match-up in each of the four games in the opening week of finals. Here's what they make of the Pies' clash with the Cats.

GEELONG v COLLINGWOOD

Is Rhys Stanley the Brodie Grundy stopper? That's far too extravagant, but the at-times maligned Stanley will be confident after his last contest with the two-time All Australian.

Stanley returned in impressive fashion to the Cats' senior side in round 23, just in time to resume hostilities with Grundy, who he comfortably accounted for in the opening round this year. That was their third meeting but first in almost three seasons. Stanley's aerial presence and greater ball-winning that night came as he also effectively cancelled the Magpie's strengths in clearances and hitouts.

It is debatable who won their showdown in 2016, with the ranking points suggesting Stanley did, although Grundy was impactful on the ground and gathered more possessions. Either way, Geelong won't have the same ruck disadvantage many clubs have against Grundy. 

Rhys Stanley has a good record against Brodie Grundy. Picture: AFL Photos

Another one could be Collingwood's Jordan De Goey and Cats defender Jake Kolodjashnij. De Goey had two disposals and a goal in 33 minutes against 'Kola' in round eight, 2018, then four possessions and two majors in 48 minutes opposed to him in round one this year. 

Stats of note

Geelong: No.1 for scores per inside 50 (46 per cent) and also No.2 for points from turnover (52.7 per cent).

Collingwood: No.1 for points conceded across the past four matches, at just 54.2 points.