Over the past couple of seasons, we’ve seen some records fall in the AFL.
Scott Pendlebury has become the most prolific ball-winner in the history of the game, and just this season, Tom Atkins compiled the most tackles ever recorded in a single AFL season… and he is still going. Crazily, Matt Rowell looks set to pass the previous mark, set by Scott Selwood in 2011.
But as much as we hear about these records, scant attention is paid to those who have excelled in finals.
As a matter of fact, outside the very rare big bag of goals, nobody talks about the best individual finals performances and the records for September footy.
But we do.
I’m a footy nerd, at heart. I love seeing players make history, and as finals are now upon us, there are a host of categories that might see a new name added to the list of players that have been at their best in finals games.
But first, we have to have a look at those who have set the standards.
MOST DISPOSALS IN A FINAL
46 – LACHIE NEALE
43 – DANE SWAN
42 – JOSH KENNEDY
42 – JARROD MCVEIGH
42 – SAM FISHER
Who would I pick to topple this record?
It has to be Nick Daicos. The Collingwood star as, in my estimation, been a little flatter than his massive 2024 season, but a huge finals game could change that perception, very quickly.
Daicos’ career-high is 43 touches, whilst Noah Anderson has managed 42 on two occasions.
Others who could surprise are Bailey Smith, Tom Green, or even Will Ashcroft – the kid knows how to find it, and has already got a finals pedigree.
MOST CLEARANCES IN A FINAL
16 – BRETT RATTEN – 1999 GF
16 – JOSH KENNEDY 2011 SF
Wow, 26 years since Ratts controlled the midfield in the 99 Granny, to no avail, as North were able to run over the Blues.
Given the talent in the league at the moment, who would be the biggest threats to this record?
The four top clearance players of 2025 are all up and about in September – Matt Rowell, Caleb Serong, Tom Green, and Noah Anderson could all pull a game out of the box, here.
Rowell has a 20-clearance game to his name, whilst Serong has managed 17.
MOST CONTESTED POSSESSIONS IN A FINAL
25 – SIMON BLACK – 2003 GF
25 – JOSH KENNEDY – 2011 SF
25 – LACHIE NEALE – 2021 QF
That Simon Black game… incredible.
It’s Green, Rowell, and Serong again, that look the dangers. At least one of them will have two opportunities to break this record, however, Rowell is the only player to have over 25 contested touches in a game at this stage of his career.
MOST INSIDE 50S IN A FINAL
14 – JASON AKERMANIS – 2004 QF
12 – MICHAEL VOSS – 2002 GF
21 years since this record was set… hard to see someone leaping up and knocking Aker over at this stage.
Jordan Dawson, Nick Daicos, and Max Holmes have the strongest claims, as their 2025 inside 50 numbers are the best, but Hiugh McCluggage and Bailey Smith could turn one on in the finals, as well. Smith has had a big finals series before (his 2021 campaign was incredibly good).
It should be noted, none of the names mentioned have ever had 14 inside 50s in a single game to this point.
MOST REBOUND 50S IN A FINAL
15 – ZAK JONES – 2016 PF
15 – DOUGAL HOWARD 2020 EF
A couple of names I did not expect to see here, particularly Dougal, who did this in the shortened games of 2020.
The kick in/play on factor makes this a bit easier, with Luke Ryan, Lachie Ash, Josh Worrell, and Dayne Zorko all threats. Of them, only Ryan has ever managed 15 in a game (twice).
MOST CONTESTED MARKS IN A FINAL
9 – CHAD CORNES – 2002 SF
8 – MASON COX – 2018 PF
The Chad! People forget how good he was in the air.
Not so much Cox, who gets constant reminders every time Collingwood supporter wants to piss off a Richmond supporter.
Finals don’t lend themselves to big forwards taking clunks, but if I was to wager on who it could be, the Big Bad Wolf from West Lakes would get my vote. How good would it be to see Rile Thilthorpe tear a final apart?
MOST INTERCEPTS IN A FINAL
16 – STEVEN MAY – 2022 QF
15 – SHARROD WELLINGHAM – 2015 PF
15 – JAKE LEVER – 2021 QF
16 intercepts is a tough ask, but the Crows are well positioned to give it a crack, with both Josh Worrell and Mark Keane the top two in the game at cutting off the attack of te opposition.
That said, the Big Daddy of the Brisbane Lions’ defence looms large. Harris Andrews is capable of doing the amazing and braking this record. As is Sam Taylor.
MOST TACKLES IN A FINAL
16 – JIMMY BARTEL – 2009 GF
15 – MAX ROOKE – 2005 SF
15 – RYAN O’KEEFE – 2012 GF
Tom Atkins and Matt Rowell… it’s your time to shine.
Rowell has had 15+ tackles on four occasions, and Atkins has done it twice. Given their consistency, seeing one of these blokes tackle the opposition into oblivion is not beyond the realms of possibility. As I said, I love seeing history, and I reckon this could be the mark that goes down.
MOST 1%ERS IN A FINAL
DOUGAL HOWARD – 22 (2017 EF)
JOSH GIBSON – 21 (2011 SF)
Dougal again! Had his body not let him down, he could have been Harris Andrews…
Speaking of Andrews, he is the number one threat, here, but he has not recorded a 20+ one-percenter game in seven years.
Maybe Darcy Moore, or Mac Andrew (underrated spoiler) sneaks under the guard? Between you and I, think Dougal might be safe.
So, there we go – a few things to keep an eye on as players start to accumulate numbers during games this weekend, and hopefully something that adds to your enjoyment of the finals.
The week off really stalls momentum, doesn’t it? I cannot wait til the ball is bounced.
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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