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 Champion Data, has delved into the key match-ups for Thursday night's elimination final.

WEST COAST v ESSENDON

Dual Coleman Medal-winning Eagle Josh Kennedy has a fairly modest history against Essendon, and has kicked two goals or fewer in seven of his past eight matches against all opponents. 

Kennedy's managed only 32 goals in 15 career clashes with the Bombers, but he's booted at least three majors in each of his past five outings against them, including 3.5 in round 14 this year.

His opponents in that time include Cale Hooker, Michael Hartley, Michael Hurley and Patrick Ambrose, so Essendon's tried a series of options. 

There were wild rumours on Monday that Kennedy had suffered an ACL injury, but coach Adam Simpson declared he had just sustained a knock to the shin and was "right to go". Hurley (shoulder) is also on track to play despite his own setback.

Down the other end, West Coast's Brad Sheppard kept Orazio Fantasia to just one disposal – while gathering 11 of his own – in 64 minutes against one another in round 14.

Fantasia also had only one touch in a 26-minute stint opposed to Sheppard in round 15, 2016.