The Collingwood Magpies emerged victorious in one of the closest AFL grand finals in years against the Brisbane Lions.
The result played out with several players standing, others turning into stinkers while for one unlucky player it all ended too soon.
Here are the player ratings from everyone who took to the MCG field for the AFL decision:
Collingwood Magpies
Nathan Murphy 3
Substituted out of the Grand Final after a header in the first quarter, a cruel turn for the defender
Darcy Moore 4
His misplaced kick late in the third quarter was his first touch since the first term. Allowed too many chances to Brisbane, a bad day by his standards
Jeremy Howe 8
The defensive line had to stand up when Murphy was knocked out of the game and Howe was a brick wall for the ‘Pies.
Brayden Maynard 5
At his aggressive best and was lucky to get away with a swinging arm tackle. However, he remained relatively quiet for most of the match.
Billy Frampton 3
A late replacement for injured striker Daniel McStay, but with limited involvement and was overwhelmed by Brisbane.
Isaac Quaynor 6
He’s not the flashiest player, but he’s reliable as always and did his job with minimal fuss.
Steele 8.5 side bottom
Playing in his 31st AFL final, Sidebottom provided all the experience the ‘Pies needed and was a constant threat in a vintage performance. His late goal to push Collingwood into a 10-point lead was hugely influential
Scott Pendlebury 7.5
Former Norm Smith Medal winner got off to a quiet start but quickly became involved in the match, cementing his status as one of the greatest Collingwood players ever produced.
Bobby Hill launches into the stratosphere for crucial score in Norm Smith Medal-winning performance
Oleg Markov4
He did his job and not much more, but the likeable man with the mustache lived the journeyman’s dream by playing in a grand final at his third club.
Bobby Hill 10
There’s nothing we can say that a Norm Smith Medal won’t do. Four goals, numerous eliminations, soaring scores, an athletic run, the “Hill’s Hoist” was simply unstoppable
Brody Mihoček 6
Gets a bonus point for scoring an incredible goal, but was minimally involved and below what he is capable of
Jamie Elliott4
I had a few chances to score a big final goal, but I kicked one short and another one into traffic. Fortunately, it didn’t turn out to be costly
Beau McCreery 3
Three misses on goal and questions about his abilities as a striker. A stench of a kick and a day to forget, but the Prime Minister’s medal will erase all memories of it
Jordan De Goey 8.5
A great overall performance with 18 eliminations, 10 shots on goal, four clearances and two goals, the icing on the cake
Josh Daicos 5
Was behind for most of the finals series and didn’t find much spark in the deciding game either
Mason Cox 7
The first American-born player to win an AFL premiership, making him a world champion. He didn’t bring his boots, but got under the skin of the Brisbane players and did his job with a lot of bastards.
Jack Crisp saved his best game of the season for the grand final and was one of Collingwood’s best on the field
Nick Daicos returned to his influential best after returning from injury last week for the preliminary final
Nick Daicos 9
After a subdued performance by his standards back from injury in the preliminary final, the Collingwood talisman was everywhere for the ‘Pies.
Jack Crisp 8.5
Two crucial goals and a slew of kills saved his best game of the year for the biggest game of the year.
Exchange:
Tom Mitchell 8
Huge influence on the interchange bench with 21 disposals, 11 kicks and seven clearances
Darcy Cameron 2
Not the backup ruckman’s finest hour
Will Hoskin-Elliott 6
Did exactly what he was asked
Jack Ginnivan 3
I went to the horse races the day before the grand final. He probably could have stayed there
EMERGENCIES :
Patrick Lipinski6
He got his chance when Murphy went down and did his job well, especially under the circumstances. A worthy winner of the post of Prime Minister
John Noble N/A
DNP
Finlay Macrae N/A
DNP
Harvey Harrison N/A
DNP
Brisbane Lions
Brandon Starcevich 4
Touted as Brisbane’s secret weapon. Maybe it was kept too secret
Harris Andrews 4
Another defender expected a big game against Collingwood, but he’s not at his best.
Darcy Gardiner 4
I got headbutted with Mason Cox and maybe I should have gotten away with it, I looked shaky at times
Conor McKenna 4
The Irish say the All-Ireland champion and Brisbane Lions have been robbed. It wasn’t the best of days for McKenna
Ryan Lester 4
Receiving a headbutt that went unpunished by the referees – which led to a Collingwood goal – was probably his biggest moment of the day.
Certainly one of the toughest players on the field, lining up race after race in a marathon effort.
Hugh McCluggage was one of the best on the field for the Lions and scored a goal after a 50-yard penalty.
Keidean Coleman 8
Simply outstanding for most of the match with a stunning 26 takedowns, including 23 kicks, but he ran out of legs in the heat towards the death.
Hugh McCluggage 8
Chris Fagan’s decision to move him inside was a masterstroke and McCluggage was one of the best Lions on the field, including a 50-yard penalty goal.
Josh Dunkley 8
The seasoned veteran worked hard all day for the Lions and deserved more
Dayne Zorko5
Playing in his first grand final, the Brisbane Lions gun was below his best – something Collingwood fans let him know
Charlie Cameron 6.5
Floated in and out of the match. Although he was completely absent for the most part, his three goals – including a vital one in the final quarter – were critical and kept Brisbane in the game.
Charlie Cameron kicked three incredible goals for the Lions, including a last-quarter effort to give Brisbane hope.
Eric Hipwood 2
Spent the entire season living in Joe Daniher’s shadow and nothing much has changed here. A tall target that the Lions largely ignored and also did little to inject themselves into the game.
Callum Ah Chee 2
He could only manage six touches before finally being replaced by Jarryd Lyons.
Cam Rayner 2
The No. 1 draft pick was guilty of a multitude of turnovers and allowed a vital free kick in a day to forget
Joe Daniher 7
Unlike most of his teammates, Big Joe loves the G. He scored three goals to keep his team in touch, but was unable to deliver the final blow to his team.
Big Joe Daniher scored three goals in the grand final, including one in the last quarter, but it wasn’t enough.
Lachie Neale attracted a lot of attention from Collingwood but still managed to put in a huge performance for his team
Zac Baileh 6.5
Scored two incredible goals and was fooled by the referees for a rushed clearance which they judged to be an advantage
Oscar McInerney5
Struggled to make his mark on the match but worked hard against a determined Collingwood defensive line
Lachie Neale 7
The Brownlow Medal winner was predictably outplayed by Collingwood and was almost ineffective in the first quarter, before finding a way to get involved.
Jarrod Bay 2
Cruelly nicknamed the Ben Hunt of the AFL after giving away a late 50-yard penalty that ultimately proved the difference.
Exchange:
Deven Robertson 6.5
He scored a big goal in the final and everything he experienced in Brisbane will bring a lot to his new home at the West Coast Eagles.
Lincoln McCarthy 7
Two goals from the bench were huge for the Lions
Jasper Fletcher 5
It’s hard to be too critical of a first-year player in a grand final
Darcy Wilmot 4
Did what it was supposed to do and nothing more
EMERGENCIES :
Jarryd Lyons 5
Entered the final quarter when the Lions needed fresh legs
James Tunstill N/A
DNP
Fort Darcy N/A
DNP
Jack Payne N/A
DNP
