AFL Grand Final player ratings: Who starred and who flopped in Collingwood’s epic premiership victory over the Brisbane Lions – and who scored a PERFECT 10

The Collingwood Magpies have emerged victorious in one of the toughest AFL grand finals in years over the Brisbane Lions.

The result went to extremes, with several players left standing, others handing in stinkers, while it all ended too soon for one unlucky player.

Here are the player ratings for everyone who took to the MCG field for the AFL decider:

Collingwood magpies

Nathan Murphy3

Eliminated from the grand final after a headbutt in the first quarter, a cruel turn for the defender

Darcy Moore4

His misplaced kick late in the third quarter was his first touch since the first semester. He had too many chances for Brisbane, a bad day by his standards

Jeremy Howe8

The defensive line had to stand as Murphy was taken out of the game and Howe was a brick wall for the ‘Pies.

Brayden Maynard5

Aggressive at best and he was lucky to get away with a swinging arm tackle. However, it remained relatively quiet for most of the match

Billy Frampton3

A late replacement for injured forward Daniel McStay, but had limited involvement and was swamped by Brisbane

Isaac Quaynor6

Not the flashiest player, but reliable as ever and did his job with minimal fuss

Steele Side Bottom 8.5

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 ten-point lead was hugely influential

Scott Pendlebury 7.5

The former Norm Smith Medal winner had a quiet start but quickly became involved, cementing his status as one of the best Collingwood has ever produced.

Bobby Hill launches himself into the stratosphere for a pivotal point in a Norm Smith Medal-winning performance

Oleg Markov4

He did his job and not much more, but the affable man with the mustache lived the journeyman’s dream by playing in a grand final with his third club

Bobby Hill 10

There is nothing we can say that a Norm Smith Medal won’t do that. Four goals, a pocket full of disposals, big numbers, athletic running, the ‘Hill’s Hoist’ was simply unstoppable

Brody Mihocek6

Gets a bonus point for kicking an incredible goal, but was minimally involved and below his capabilities

Jamie Elliott4

Had a few chances to score a big final goal but kicked one short and the other into traffic. Fortunately it turned out not to be expensive

Beau McCreery3

Three misses on target and questions about his ability as an attacker. A stinking rush and a day to forget, but the premiership medal will erase all memories of it

Jordan De Goey 8.5

An excellent all-round performance with 18 disposals, 10 kicks, four clearances and two goals as the icing on the cake

Josh Daicos 5

He was off pace for most of the finals series and couldn’t find much of a spark in the decider

Bricklayer Cox 7

The first American-born player to win an AFL premiership, making him a world champion. Didn’t bring his kicking boots but got under the skin of the Brisbane players and did his job with a lot of bastard

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 record after returning from injury for the preliminary finals last week

Nick Daicos 9

After an understated performance by his standards on his return from injury in the preliminary final, the Collingwood talisman was everywhere for the ‘Pies’.

Jack Crisp 8.5

Two crucial goals and a bag full of disposals saved his best game of the year for the biggest game of the year.

Exchange:

Tom Mitchell8

Huge influence from the substitutes bench with 21 disposals, 11 kicks and seven clearances

Darcy Cameron2

Not the back-up ruckman’s finest hour

Will Hoskin Elliott6

Did exactly what was asked of him

Jack Ginnivan3

Went to the horse races the night before the grand final. He probably could have stayed there

Emergencies:

Patrick Lipinski6

Got his chance when Murphy went down and did his job well, especially considering the circumstances. A worthy premiership winner

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 Andrews4

Another defender expected to have a big game against Collingwood but failed to deliver

Darcy Gardiner4

I got hit in the head with Mason Cox and maybe should have come off, looked shaky at times

Conor McKenna4

The Irish say the All Ireland champions and Brisbane Lions have been robbed. These weren’t the best of days for McKenna

Ryan Lester4

Making a head kick that went unpunished by the officials – leading to a Collingwood goal – was probably his biggest moment of the day

Definitely one of the strongest players on the field, lining up run after run in a marathon effort

Hugh McCluggage was one of the best on the ground for the Lions, kicking a goal after a 50-yard penalty

Keidean Coleman8

Simply excellent for most of the match with a whopping 26 disposals, including 23 kicks, but without legs in the heat towards the death

Hugh McCluggage8

Chris Fagan’s decision to move him inside was a masterstroke and McCluggage was one of the Lions’ best on the pitch, including a goal from a 50-yard penalty

Josh Dunkley8

The seasoned veteran worked hard all day for the Lions and deserved more

Dayne Zorko 5

In his first grand final, the Brisbane Lions side were below their best, which Collingwood fans told him all about

Charlie Cameron6.5

Floated in and out of the match. Although largely missing, his three goals – including a crucial one in the final quarter – were crucial and kept Brisbane in the game.

Charlie Cameron had three incredible goals for the Lions, including a try in the final quarter to give Brisbane hope

Eric Hipwood2

Has been living in Joe Daniher’s shadow all season and not much has changed here. A big target that the Lions largely ignored and didn’t do much to inject themselves into the game.

Callum Ah Chee 2

He was only able to make six touches before eventually being subbed off for Jarryd Lyons

Cam Rayner 2

The No. 1 draft pick was guilty of numerous turnovers and gave away a crucial free kick on a day to forget

Joe Daniher 7

Unlike most of his teammates, Big Joe likes the G. He scored three goals to keep his team in touch, but couldn’t deliver the final blow

Big Joe Daniher scored three goals in the grand final, including one in the final quarter, but it wasn’t enough

Lachie Neale received a lot of attention from Collingwood, but was still able to put in a huge performance for his side

Zac Bailey 6.5

Scored two incredible goals and was made fun of by the referees for a hasty clearance that they decided was an advantage

Oscar McInerney5

Struggled to make his mark on the game but worked hard against a determined Collingwood defensive line

Lachie Neale7

The Brownlow Medal winner was predictably capped by Collingwood and was virtually ineffective in the first quarter before finding a way to get involved

Jarrod Berry2

Cruelly dubbed the Ben Hunt of AFL after surrendering a late 50-yard penalty that ultimately made the difference.

Exchange:

Deven Robertson6.5

He scored a big goal and everything he experienced in Brisbane will carry a lot in his new home with the West Coast Eagles

Lincoln McCarthy7

Two goals off the bench were huge for the Lions

Jasper Fletcher 5

Hard to be too critical of a first-year player in a grand final

Darcy Wilmot4

Did what he had to do and nothing more

Emergencies:

Jarryd Lyons 5

Came in the final quarter as the Lions needed fresh legs

James Tunstill N/A

DNP

Darcy Fort N/A

DNP

Jack Payne N/A

DNP