In every game across the 2025 Finals Series, the Mongrel Team allocate one writer to award player ratings to each player ona team.
What results, is the 2025 Mongrel Player of the Finals.
Here are the ratings for the Lions’ win over the Pies.
Gee it must be hard to be a Pies fan. After looking like world beaters a fortnight ago in Adelaide, and with a prelim at their home ground in front of 95,000 predominantly Collingwood supporters, the Pies just could not get over the line. For about 20 minutes in the second quarter it looked like everything had clicked for Craig McRae’s side after a slow start, but in the end the class of the Lions won out.
In some ways these ratings are a bit harsh; this is the challenge of rating losing finalists. Realistically, Collingwood had very few winners on the evening, and that’s probably why they were themselves not the winners at the end of the day. They lost the contested possession count and the tackle count, which probably means something. In the end they will be back next year, but they have squandered what was a wonderful chance of another Grand Final.
Collingwood (Sam)
[17] Billy Frampton – 3
Soundly beaten as were many of Collingwood’s backline, who were disorganised when it mattered. Frampton is known to most as a premiership forward (mostly with tongue in cheek), and the Pies could have used his presence to counter Harris Andrews. Instead, he let Ty Gallop off the chain.
[30] Darcy Moore – 4
Probably didn’t impact the way he would have liked out of the back half, and didn’t touch the ball in the first when the Lions got off to a hot start. Had his pockets picked by Dunkley for Brisbane’s first (though that may have had more to do with the kick). Spoiled the ball a couple of times back into play resulting in Brisbane goals.
[4] Brayden Maynard – 4
You can never accuse Maynard of being anything other than a competitive beast but, unfortunately for him, guys like Zac Bailey and Cam Rayner were dominant when the ball hit the deck inside their forward 50.
[12] Harry Perryman – 4
10 of 14 touches were intercepts for the former Giant, who has had a year best described as unspectacular. Not his team’s worst by any means.
[9] Dan Houston – 3
Is this a harsh rating? Maybe. Did Collingwood overpay to get this guy? On exposed form, yes. Kicked a great goal in the second quarter to put the exclamation mark on Collingwood’s run, but was broadly unsighted otherwise. Was opposed to Zac Bailey at times, who simply ran past him. Your star recruit simply cannot be putting up the following numbers: 12 touches, 0 score involvements other than his goal, 0 clearances, 1 tackle.
[3] Isaac Quaynor – 4
Was largely uninfluential in the first quarter before working his way into the game in the second. The Pies’ defensive structure simply didn’t hold up under the weight of Brisbane’s pressure, and IQ was part of that.
[7] Josh Daicos – 7
Despite what the numbers suggest (some of them, at least), I thought Josh was the better of the Daicii. Was gallant throughout the entire game, won four centre clearances from six centre bounce attendances, bobbed up in the forward line and was resolute in the back line. Eight inside 50s, five rebound 50s, and 708 metres gained tells the story of a valiant running effort.
[2] Jordan De Goey – 4
For a big game player like De Goey, the Pies simply needed more. If Josh Daicos should be commended for his centre bounce hit rate, then De Goey should be criticised; 18 attendances for no clearances, and one clearance overall. Stats tell some of the story but not all of it, and the truth is that this simply was not enough of an impactful performance from a genuine matchwinner.
[44] Ned Long – 5
Tried hard all day, and was tough in the clinches in a way that few Magpies were. Led the tackle count for the Pies and battled throughout the night, but his disposal let him down both by foot and by hand.
[22] Steele Sidebottom – 5
Boosted a point for being Eddie Everywhere in the final quarter, though with Pendlebury out Collingwood probably needed more from their next most experienced player. Was commendable, if unspectacular.
[28] Tim Membrey – 4
Didn’t touch the ball in the first, when the Pies struggled to hit targets inside forward 50, and barely touched the ball in the last, when the game was there to be won. Was, however, influential in the second quarter, working up the ground more to influence the contest while also hitting the scoreboard with his two goals for the evening. No idea why he didn’t go back and take the shot in the last to bring the game back within a kick.
[1] Patrick Lipinski – 4
There’s becoming a bit of a common theme amongst these ratings, but many of the Pies’ roleplayers simply didn’t play their role well enough, and that’s really why they lost the game. Kicked the goal to put the Magpies in front in the second quarter but lacked impact otherwise.
[5] Jamie Elliott – 8
One of, frankly, very few winners for the Pies. Elliott kicked four and was a little unlucky not to add a fifth, with that contentious non-decision sure to dominate column inches and Twitter discourse for the next 48 hours at least. Took what should have been Mark of the Year (dumb to not include finals), was lively, and at 33 years of age looks to be reaching his peak.
[46] Mason Cox – 5
Kicked the first goal of the game and got his toe on one for the first of the last quarter, which felt important. Still, the “third best ruckman in the league” (thanks, Sam McClure) didn’t have much impact otherwise. If he flapped his arms harder he may well be the first human to achieve unassisted flight. Really should be deducted a point for dropping a chest mark from the opening clearance that would have set the tone.
[8] Lachie Schultz – 5
Was the spark that lit the fire in the second quarter, bobbing up around the forward 50 to kick a goal of his own and set up two others. Much like many of his teammates, though, went missing after those efforts. Co-led his team with five score involvements, which probably tells a story about the entire side.
[14] Darcy Cameron – 5
Competed hard against the Lions’ dual rucks, and was, I suppose, the winner, although he didn’t have as much influence around the ground as he has in the past. Took a pair of contested marks and laid five tackles.
[10] Scott Pendlebury – 0
A bit rough, really, but also the only possible result. Pendles was on the ground for the best part of five minutes before his calf gave out and he was subbed off. Was involved in discussions with the club doctor before the game, and it may well turn out that he shouldn’t have played at all. Regardless, I’m sure he will be back.
[35] Nick Daicos – 6
When Nick Daicos retires he will make a great AFL umpire, given he is already effectively doing the job himself. Got off the chain early in the first quarter before having his sway on the game limited by Josh Dunkley. Is 6 too harsh a rating for 27 touches, 11 contested possessions, and six clearances, all of which led his team? Possibly, but too many of his tackles simply didn’t stick, and as is the theme, if Collingwood were to win they needed more.
[25] Jack Crisp – 5
In my notes of the game I jotted down that Crisp loves a kick to no one in particular. That’s possibly why he didn’t impact this game in the way that he has the ability to. Laid eight tackles and provided some hard edge to the midfield.
[31] Beau McCreery – 6
One of the Pies’ better players, with his dash giving his team some effervescence out of the middle. Battled hard, provided pressure, won some of his own footy, and teed up Elliott’s mark. Didn’t hit the scoreboard himself, though had four score involvements.
[38] Jeremy Howe – 4
Looked rusty early, understandably, and had to work his way into the game. Turned the ball over out of the square as his first contribution, but did get better as the match went on. Was part of the defensive structure issues his team had early in the first.
[41] Brody Mihocek – 2
I’m not entirely sure why Mihocek played this game when he was under an injury cloud and Dan McStay could have come in. In retrospect this might be one Craig McRae would like to revise. Was completely unsighted, finishing with just seven touches and no scoreboard impact.
[Sub – 45] Roan Steele – 3
Probably wasn’t expecting to get 63% time on ground when named the sub, but he was brought on very early. Unfortunately after having been brought on he didn’t really do much.
Brisbane (Justin)
[15] Dayne Zorko – 9
We all know how good this guy is, but in his “older age” he just continues to do his bit for his team and lead the way. Finished with 28 disposals, a goal, eight tackles… a consummate professional with every chance to get a second premiership medal.
[27] Darcy Gardiner – 8
Loved this bloke’s game. Defended stoutly, saved more than his share of goals, and was more involved in offensive play than I thought he would have been. His 17 disposals and seven marks is a great return.
[35] Ryan Lester – 6
Solid in the back six and took seven marks. Brisbane love to play an uncontested marking game and Lester is often involved in the chains.
[44] Darcy Wilmot – 8
Wilmot is among the best players in the AFL to watch for sheer entertainment value. He makes it up as he goes, but he is good enough to do so. Played a key role in this one finishing with 25 disposals, nine intercept possessions and eight marks. Putting together some kind of career early on.
[31] Harris Andrews – 9
A wall in defence, the Lions skipper was at his best, ensuring the Magpies forwards had their work cut out for them. Constantly repelled Collingwood charges, outclassing the likes of Mason Cox and Tim Membrey. Ended the night with 18 disposals and 13 marks to his name. Powerhouse performance from one of the greatest defenders of his generation.
[37] Brandon Starcevich – 6
Modest stats, but you can see why West Coast is so keen to throw money at the bloke. Defended hard and took five marks. The kind of player you want in your team.
[6] Hugh McCluggage – 9
Unlucky to not get a 10, but I handed a flawless score to Dangerfield the night before and this feels just a slight level below that. McCluggage was phenomenal in this game, tallying 37 disposals, one goal and a massive 10 clearances. He is showing he is every bit of a superstar. A massive game awaits next week…
[10] Levi Ashcroft – 5
Had moments where he looked composed and others where he looked less so, but I think overall the first-year gun played his part. Always keeps chains of possession alive through sound decisions.
[7] Jarrod Berry – 3
A shoulder injury crippled his chances to have an impact in this game. Is in doubt for the grand final in a heartbreaking blow.
[23] Charlie Cameron – 6
Has had his struggles but kicked an important goal in this one and looked a little more lively up front.
[22] Ty Gallop – 9
Nothing quite like a breakout game in a preliminary final hey? Three goals from 11 touches sounds impressive, but the stats don’t do justice to the one-on-one contests this guy won. I thought his game was excellent. Reminded me of Morris in last year’s finals series.
[33] Zac Bailey – 8
Loved him getting into it with Maynard, and he backed it up with a huge game. A stat line of 21 disposals and two goals is a good indicator of how important this guy is to the Lions line-up.
[16] Cam Rayner – 8
Talk about standing up when it counts. Rayner continues to be an absolute force when the team needs him to be, finishing with an important two goals from four shots, and a bunch of contest wins when it mattered. Was huge in the second half.
[13] Logan Morris – 6
Snagged just the one goal on the night, but Morris provided a presence up front that gave Collingwood defenders headaches. An injured Cats defence will need to dig deep to stop this guy next week.
[4] Callum Ah Chee – 7
Was impactful around the ground and the Lions looked damaging whenever it was in Ah Chee’s hands. Finished with 19 disposals.
[32] Darcy Fort – 7
Battled hard against Darcy Cameron in the ruck, amassing 32 hitouts and laying six tackles.
[5] Josh Dunkley – 7
Had an injury scare but battled through to record 19 disposals and 10 tackles, while booting a goal for good measure.
[8] Will Ashcroft – 8
A massive third term from the young superstar helped Brisbane regain the lead, as he booted two goals from his six disposals in the frame. Was influential across the second half of the game, with clean disposal and sound decision-making buoying the Lions.
[1] Kai Lohmann – 7
Like Dunkley, Lohmann had his own injury scare that he was able to overcome and still have an impact on the game. Finished with 17 disposals and a goal, and was a handful for Collingwood defenders.
[3] Jaspa Fletcher – 6
Moved the ball well across half back as he always does, collecting 18 disposals and seven marks.
[20] Sam Marshall – 7
Where do the Lions find all these young kids who can just step right into September action unphased? Marshall was great in just game number 10, throwing himself into the physical side of the game and coming out of it with 17 disposals.
[46] Oscar McInerney – 5
Only played 64% time on ground but did well as the back-up ruckman to Fort. A good news story out of the night, the popular Big O will have the chance to claim his own premiership medal next week after cruelly missing out in 2024 through injury.
[38 – Sub] Bruce Reville – 5
Subbed on for Berry in the second quarter and played his role with 10 disposals and four marks.
