AFL Hall of Famer Terry Wallace has identified the teams in the top eight he feels can’t win the 2018 premiership.

Ahead of the AFL finals which begin on Thursday, the Hawthorn great and former Richmond and Western Bulldogs coach has ruled out the overall chances of half of the finals contenders.

“I’ve got three that can’t win at this stage,” he said on SEN Afternoons.

“I don’t think Hawthorn can win. I just don’t think they bat deep enough.

“I absolutely admire what they’ve done.

“I don’t think the two sides up in Sydney can win it.

“GWS are too banged up.”

Asked by Andy Maher if he would be seduced by the Giants’ returning players such as Brett Deledio, Toby Greene, Ryan Griffen and Tom Scully, Wallace replied: “No.

“They’ve missed too much footy, just a bit of instability. You can probably bring back a couple of them but (bringing six back) is too many.

“I think Richmond, Collingwood and West Coast can win it.

“And I think the winner of Melbourne and Geelong, obviously because it’s a knockout game, can win it.

“I reckon the eight is down to four in my opinion.”

The finals kick off on Thursday when the Tigers host the Hawks at the MCG in the First Qualifying Final before the Demons and Cats clash at the same venue in the First Elimination Final on Friday night.

The SCG plays host to Sydney’s twilight knock-out clash with the Giants on Saturday before the Eagles and Magpies meet at Optus Stadium in the Second Qualifying Final later that night.

Listen to Andy Maher’s chat with Terry Wallace below: