Firstly, a massive thanks to Trent Adam Shields for coordinating the ratings this year, and a heap of gratitude to the writers who gave their time and analysis in every game of the 2025 AFL Finals Series.
So, you may have noticed that every game during the finals, we have this little player ratings thing that our writers contribute to.
You noticed it, right?
Just say yes… keeps the peace.
Anyway, these things are not just undertaken for fun. There is a purpose t it, and now it all comes to a head.
You see, those numbers all go into a spreadsheet that spits out something that should be held in high regard – the winner of the 2025 Mongrel Punt Player of the Finals.
Now, I know what you’re thinking… this is what the Gary Ayres Medal is, and that one is official. Right you are, but really, you could win the Gary Ayres Medal without making the Grand Final.
Sam Walsh did it in 2023. Wasn’t that an inspired choice?
It prompted a rule change that sees the Grand Final coaches votes worth 1.5x the normal amount. Smart move.
We haven’t had to do that.
Here is a list of the Mongrel’s Player of the Finals, to date.
2018 – Steele Sidebottom
2019 – Tim Taranto
2020 – Dustin Martin
2021 – Christian Petracca
2022 – Patrick Dangerfield
2023 – Joe Daniher
2024 – Will Ashcroft
Hmmm… a bit of history to the award, now, huh? And now, we add the eighth name to the list.
The 2025 finals series saw the Brisbane Lions gain what some believe is an unfair advantage in an award such as this. I mean, playing an extra game is an advantage, but I am sure if you asked those blokes, they would have loved to win the Qualifying Final and have a week off to prepare for the Prelim, if given the choice.
Alas, they were not, and as such, they went through the finals the hard way.
And that ‘hard way’ has resulted in them dominating the top ten in terms of overall scores.
In the end, it should come as no surprise that it came down to three of the big names at the Lions.
Will Ashcroft, who took out last year’s award, as well as a couple of Norm Smiths.
Dayne Zorko, who continually provided the Lions with potent drive from half-back.
And Harris Andrews, who provided the complete defensive game for the Lions to operate around.
Without further ado… your winner of the 2025 Mongrel Punt Player of the Finals is…
HARRIS ANDREWS.
Harris is cleaning up this year, and people are starting to finally realise just what a leader he is. His performance across the four finals was close to flawless, and even though the AFL Media and fandom, for that matter, have been trained to reward midfielders, the efforts of the big fella could not be denied.
He finished on 37 points from a possible 40.
In second was Will Ashcroft, with 34 points.
And Zorko came in third, with 32, just 0.5 ahead of Darcy Wilmot.
The highest place for the Cats was Max Holmes, who scored 26 points.
Highest scorers for other teams as follows.
Hawthorn – Jack Guunston – 25.5
Gold Coast – Matt Rowell – 18
Adelaide – Josh Worrell – 17.5
Collingwood – Jamie Elliott – 16
GWS – Finn Callaghan – 9.5
Freo – Alex Pearce/Caleb Serong – 9
And there we go. An absolutely deserving winner, and it is great to see another key position player recognised for his consistent brilliance.
Congratulations, Harris Andrews – a mighty effort this season, as part of a mighty team.
As always, massive thanks to those who support this work. You can see the amount of care that goes into it. I love footy, I love writing about it, and I hope you enjoy reading it. Without you, this whole thing falls over. Sincerely… thank you – HB
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