The player ratings for the Brisbane Lions’ win over the Blues are in, courtesy of Trent Adam Sheilds, and The Slugger.
Let’s jump on in…
Brisbane (Trent Shields)
[15] Dayne Zorko – 9
Just continued on his merry way after receiving AA acknowledgement for his brilliant season. While his team were racking up a cricket score in the first half, Zorko tore the Blues to shreds, collecting the ball with impunity, scything through would-be tacklers and setting up play with a surgeon’s precision.
A team leading 29-disposals, twenty-four of those kicks which is his biggest weapon, 15 pressure acts, two clearances a goal assist, and second game high eight score involvements primarily from a defensive position were a superb showing.
[31] Harris Andrews – 7
Another assured no-nonsense performance from the Lions co-Captain, repelling attacks and killing contests like he does every time he enters his D50 arena. Three intercept marks, two of those contested and a game-high eight spoils were the standard, but was at times a little unsteady with ball in hand, turning over 25% of his disposals.
[37] Brandon Starcevich – 8
The game ended with both teams recording 56 F50 entries, a large part of the Lions ultimately comfortable 5-goal margin was the efficient defensive work of Starcevich. Finishing with an above average 14 disposals from a match-high ten intercepts, unblemished in contested one-on-ones and five score involvements in another impressive finals outing.
[44] Darcy Wilmot – 7
The bull at a gate Wilmot set the tone early with his dashing runs out of defence to set up offensive opportunities. He led the game in I50s, but also in turnovers as his high octane style is a kamikaze numbers game that is high risk and high reward. A touch more finesse on disposal would have seen his rating increase.
[40] Jack Payne – 8
Only 32% game time due to a knee concern, but was superb while on the ground. Won intercepts at will, and completely nullified the threat of the Carlton marking forwards early on. The Lions structure was visibly shaken after he left the field and the medical staff will have their work cut out to ensure he is able to face up to the Hogan/Cadman show next weekend.
[35] Ryan Lester – 7
The Oxford Dictionary entry for Ryan Lester is unobtrusive, and that aptly describes his game last night as well. Three intercept marks and five often desperate spoils were the standard, but did get caught out with two one-on-one marking losses as the Lions scrambled to cover Payne’s loss.
[28] Jaspa Fletcher – 3
Some unrewarded running from the son of Adrian, but was largely disappointing as he just doesn’t get involved often enough and I have question marks over his disposal under pressure. Had a high % of his modest disposals in a contested situation and contributed to four score involvements, but will need much more from the 15-23 tier if the Lions are to progress past Engie Stadium next Saturday.
[6] Hugh McCluggage – 8
Stood up when Carlton finally made their push, and led from the front with a match leading eight tackles, 22 pressure acts and equal second game-high six clearances including three from the centre. Great show of leadership to be the one who relentlessly attacked the contested ball when things weren’t going the home team’s way.
[7] Jarrod Berry – 6
Important early and took two intercept marks in the first term to help set the tone of the first half, but was relatively anonymous thereafter, playing his role as an outlet effectively but without a significant impact on the game.
[16] Cam Rayner – 8
Provided most of the highlights for the night, without offence was an Isaac Heeney-lite of this match. Took a screamer, bombed a long goal from well outside 50 and was generally a threat anytime the ball was in his vicinity. It’s taken the Swan nine years to have that absolute breakout season to become the best player in the comp. Rayner is not without similar traits, and if the Lions wish to go one better than 2023 a lot will rely on this man to step up his output even on a very good outing last night.
[3] Joe Daniher – 4
Threatened a big game from the outset with two goals from three shots on goal in the first term from the 2023 Mongrel Player of the Finals series, but was well held thereafter. Attended 21 ruck contests for just the two hit outs, and only four pressure acts (admittedly not a regular strength of his) illustrate he had put the cue in the rack after the first break. He and Rayner hold the key to unlock a genuine run at the flag by the Lions.
[4] Callum Ah Chee – 7
I really like Cal Ah Chee’s role in this Lions team as the blue collar defensive forward, and he performed his role to perfection on Saturday night. Two goals, one from a great contested mark after gut running to provide an option and kicking truly. More than a 50% increase in his average pressure acts and more than half of his touches resulted in scores is a pretty good output from a role player.
[23] Charlie Cameron – 6
An almost night from Charlie, kicked two goals and worked tirelessly, but spurned chances and took poor options at times. Illustrated by an electric run down the Vulture St side that resulted in a tired kick directly to an unmarked Blue when he had several shorter options that would’ve wrapped that play up in a nice goal assist bow. Decision making and execution around goal is the Lions achilles heel, can they unlock this riddle before next week?
[30] Eric Hipwood – 6
Seemed to move with more freedom after the week off having struggled for form and confidence since an injury layoff. Took some good marks, and ended with two direct goal assists that could have easily been goals to him, but at times his kicking was diabolical and also resulted in direct turnovers for one-third of his possessions.
[1] Kai Lohmann – 8
The young Lion probably unlucky in third for the Ron Evans medal last week on account of being off broadway brought more manic pressure and cool finishing to the Gabba last night. 20 pressure acts, seven score involvements from just 11 touches and two opportunistic goals just reward for a fine player.
[46] Oscar McInerney – 6
Fought a good battle against Pittonet and De Koning in the ruck, slightly edging them collectively with seven tackles and three big contested marks, two intercepted in the D50 at an important time early in the game before the scoreboard got away from the Blues. Not outstanding, but used his size combatively as usual and will look forward to another bruising encounter against Briggs upcoming.
[5] Josh Dunkley – 5
Quiet by his standards only recording 15 disposals more than 11 down on his season’s average, but made up for that with some tireless defensive work applying a game-high 33 pressure acts. This heavy lifting allowed Neale and McCluggage to take centre stage in the clinches, but #5 will be called on next week against the deep Giants midfield.
[9] Lachie Neale – 7
The potential three-time Brownlow medal winner was very good as always, led the game in clearances with nine and added 21 pressure acts to his consistent 27 disposals. Missed two very gettable goals early in the game, and wasn’t as clean by hand and foot as his usually is, but that’s nitpicking against a genuine star.
[8] Will Ashcroft – 9
Continued his exceptional return from an ACL with a starring performance in this do or die elimination final. Having missed last year’s finals series Ashcroft appears determined not to take the opportunity for granted, and almost single handedly stemmed the considerable momentum Carlton built up in the third term. A game high nine score involvements and two direct goal assists showed his immense impact on this match, arguably best afield alongside Zorko.
[13] Logan Morris – 6
A couple of big contested marks deep in the forward line as well as contributing two goals as a nice foil to the blanched forward line. Momentarily held the mantle for worst miss of the match after somehow hitting the post from the top of the goal square, it’s a consistent theme for the Lions in the past five years – just kick the goals!
[33] Zac Bailey – 5
Worked hard throughout, eighteen possessions, twenty pressure acts, a very nicely taken goal in the second term were the good, the bad undoubtedly the goal line miss in the third term to take the pressure off his young teammate Morris. Perhaps it was good leadership?
[43] Noah Answerth – 5
Played his usual lock down role, and was matched against Cripps at many stoppages effectively. Six tackles recorded and worked hard to limit the Blues small to mid size players freedom around goal.
[26 – SUB] Conor McKenna – 6
Modest numbers in just 38% game time coming on as the sub after Payne’s injury, but was a spark plug as usual and energised a complacent Lions outfit to finish the job.
Carlton (Nicholas Sluggett)
[33] Lewis Young – 6
Ok. but the ball was in his area a lot. He attacked the ball and intercepted pretty well, but like the rest of the team was unable to stop the avalanche of Brisbane scoring.
[23] Jacob Weitering – 6
Like Young, was also ok. Was a rock in defence for most of the match. Would hate to think how much Carlton may have lost by if he wasn’t there. And, how about not leaving your opponent for a joe-the-goose goal out the back for a push-and-shove early in an interstate final? Beaten on the night.
[42] Adam Saad – 2
Completely shut down and beaten. Had some good duels with some of the Lions’ smalls but was outmatched. Then he could not get much going offensively either, which was a massive need for the Blues that went unmet. His night looks a little better due to a big last quarter. Only had 9 disposals and barely 100 metres gained to three-quarter-time.
[2] Lachlan Cowan – 3
Not his best match, but far from alone. But you’ve got be giving more to your team. You have to be supporting Weitering better in the air. If the ball is living in your area, you have to have more impact than 3-4 disposals a quarter.
[11] Mitch McGovern – 4
Another defender with respectable numbers, but the scoreboard tells a different story. Barely sighted in the first half before a strong third quarter. McGovern needs to deliver more for this team when it matters.
[24] Nic Newman – 5
Dreadful. You want to be tough? Do it over the footy and not with constant cheap shots. If you’re making Dayne Zorko look like a respectable footballer you should be forced to play local Div 3’s in the western suburbs of Melbourne for 3 weeks as punishment! See how many cheap shots you get away with down there, mate.There ain’t no fine system or cameras keeping players in check. Newman did get a bit of the ball though, since it was in Carlton’s defence a lot.
[4] Oliver Hollands – 3
Didn’t start strong and then still found a way to fade out of the match. Did follow Zorko around for a bit in the second half. Perhaps another pre-season is needed and another season of football to build some confidence. The talent is there.
[9] Patrick Cripps – 6
Battled hard, but captains doing stupid acts hurts you in finals.He was being attacked at every opportunity by the Lions. That is what good teams do against good players in finals. Cripps would have had to have been asking where some of his teammates were as he found himself 1-on-2 multiple times against the likes of Lachie Neale and Josh Dunkley. When you’re facing those odds against that sort of opposition, not even prime Gary Ablett Junior can win that contest consistently.
[15] Sam Docherty – 5
Tried hard. But the time between games showed.Enjoyed seeing him run around. Got a goal in the last quarter, which was a good moment on a bleak night.
[14] Orazio Fantasia – 1
Just retire. For everyone’s sake. Had his only decent moment when the game was at its most dead, late in the second quarter. Outside of that one patch, he was a bigger non-factor than Ollie Hollands.
[17] Brodie Kemp – 1
Probably asked to do too much one too many times. Was beaten comprehensively by the Brisbane defenders, even after Payne went off with injury during the second quarter.
[7] Matthew Kennedy – 2
Why did you even get on the plane? Was almost curelly subbed out early in the second quarter as Voss looked to get something going for the Blues. But to sub Kennedy and leave guys like Durdin, Motlop and Fantasia on the field? You would be asking some serious questions if you were Kennedy.
[20] Elijah Hollands – 6
Another one of the few who worked hard to create and get something going for Carlton. Hollands can hold his head up for his efforts on the wing. His best came when the Blues lifted in the third quarter, but he was also a catalyst for that lift.
[10] Harry McKay – 4
Asked to do too much with not much support. Didn’t have the best delivery, but that’s what happens in finals. You can’t expect everything on a silver platter. With Kemp well held and TDK required further up field once he came on, McKay was swamped in the first half. Finally got going and snagged some late goals to reward himself for his efforts in continually crashing packs, but it was too little too late.
[3] Jesse Motlop – 1
Just could not get involved in any sort of meaningful way. Was far from alone and it was a constant theme for all of Carlton’s small forwards as Brisbane’s defence completely shut them out.
[27] Marc Pittonet – 3
Don’t let the numbers fool you. Pittonet got completely outplayed by McInerney in this match. Those late goals mean as much as the words that follow “It’s not you, it’s me” in a break-up conversation… Nothing. As they say in the NBA, “Have fun learning chinese buddy” (meaning he should not be playing AFL with those efforts).
[18] Sam Walsh – 4
Cannot question his endeavour. Helped get the Blues going in the second half, but struggled hard in the first half as Carlton were brutalised around the ball. Hasn’t looked right for most of the year.
[5] Adam Cerra – 4
Was one of the few Carlton players able to get his hands on the ball in the first quarter but could not follow it up in the remaining three. Very disappointing. With the Blues getting trounced on the inside it did not support the way Cerra plays either.
[13] Blake Acres – 7
One of the few to stand up. Acres is not scared of the moment. Manning the opposite wing to Ollie Hollands, in a combination that could grow to the AFL’s number 1 wing combination. Acres deserves respect for trying his guts out while his teammates gave up. Combined well with a few others to give the Blues their only sniff of a comeback in the third quarter.
[29] George Hewett – 7
Also had a real crack. Just needed some mates in the middle. Yes, Cripps and Walsh have also been given credit, but the Blues midfield was operating as anything but a cohesive unit. Guys like Hewett, Acres & Cripps needed someone to come past and offer some support to them.
[19] Corey Durdin – 0
Must have borrowed Harry Potter’s cloak of invisibility. Didn’t actually know he was out there. He should stew on this performance and use it as motivation all summer long.
[6] Zac Williams – 2
Running around like Jack Sparrow. Probably as drunk.Combined with Saad to give Carlton absolutely zero rebound out of defensive 50 while also being powerless to stop the Lions small forwards. There is only so much Voss could do. He couldn’t sub-out 6 players or ask for a re-do at his selection meeting.
[12 – Sub] Tom De Koning – 6
Subbed in early. Had a crack and made a difference. Was actually good and you really got the sense that the Blues lifted in response to his delayed start. Contested well, worked hard and looked like one of the few who wanted to be out there and in the contest. Odd choice for a sub. That green vest should never go near him again.
