(10) Luke Pedlar: It was his first game back from a hamstring strain after two weeks out. He absolutely took his opportunity with Josh Rachele still sidelined, kicking three pivotal goals in a high-transition game. 8/10
(12) Jordan Dawson: The All-Australian vice captain started strongly, kicking an early goal and driving Adelaide forward, but he faded as the game went on and couldn’t swing the result. 7/10
(13) Taylor Walker: In his 300th game, he was Adelaide’s best forward with nine marks, four of those inside-50. He tested Collingwood’s aerial work and was undoubtedly the most dangerous forward alongside Pedlar. He had some moments in front of goal he’d like back, but did everything he could to lift his side. 7.5/10
(14) Jake Soligo: Found plenty of the ball but was often under pressure, leading to turnovers, particularly going inside 50. 6/10
(16) Max Michalanney: Returning from a hamstring injury, he lacked his usual intercepting impact. 5/10
(19) Zac Taylor: Had some good pressure moments hunting the ground ball. Adelaide needed more from Taylor at the feet of their talls. His best ball use came in the third term. 5/10
(20) Mitchell Hinge: A key defender who had his hands full all game. With only seven disposals, Nicks subbed him off late in the third term. 4/10
(24) Josh Worrell: The leading disposal-getter on the ground, reflecting how much Adelaide had to defend. He worked tirelessly against the flood of forward entries and was strong both in the air and at ground level. 7/10
Josh Worrell of the Crows and Beau McCreery of the Magpies.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
(25) James Peatling: As a midfielder, had just three disposals to half-time. Tried to get involved defensively late but the impact came too late. 4/10
(28) Alex Neal-Bullen: One of Adelaide’s best in his 200th game. A clever link player, he delivered incredible kicks inside 50. He did a mountain of work around the contest and was crucial in the midfield when needed. Defensive pressure and tackling were huge. 8/10
(29) Rory Laird: Tough in the contest all night. Shifted from half-back into the midfield after half-time to inject energy and contest. Worked hard throughout. 6.5/10
(30) Wayne Milera: Efficient with ball in hand, but like the rest of the back six, struggled to contain Collingwood’s scoring power. 5/10
(32) Darcy Fogarty: He had a quiet night inside 50. The Crows needed more. 3/10
(40) Hugh Bond: Spent much of the night on Jamie Elliott – a tough match-up in defence. 4/10
Mark Keane of the Crows competes with Brody Mihocek of the Magpies. Credit: Getty Images
(43) Reilly O’Brien: Didn’t look comfortable in front of goal but did provide good territory
and pressure, spending some time forward as well. 6/10
(44) Isaac Cumming: Below-average performance. Poor ball use and low disposals, with little influence. 3/10
(48) Mark Keane: Showed composure winning ground balls in defence. Matched up on
Mihocek early, played aggressively and competed well all night. 6/10
Sub – (33) Brodie Smith: The starting sub, he came on at the end of the third term. He laid a big first tackle on Nick Daicos, produced a fantastic intercept in the middle to set up a scoring chance, and another huge tackle in the fourth to give Adelaide a spark. 5/10
Jordan De Goey celebrates a goal with Lachie Schultz and Jack Crisp.Credit: AFL Photos
COLLINGWOOD
(1) Patrick Lipinski: The former Bulldog always plays a neat game, and this was no exception. Is clever when with ball in hand, finds space, and capped his night with a goal. 7/10
(2) Jordan De Goey: The robust midfielder was menacing and in the thick of the action all night, a tribute to the Magpies’ medical staff. He and Crows prime mover Jordan Dawson went head-to-head, but it was De Goey who won this battle. However, what appeared to be a light but high bump on Josh Worrell in the third term may yey be scrutinised. 8/10
(3) Isaac Quaynor: While Darcy Moore will enjoy the headlines, Quaynor was equally as composed and damaging across half-back, with 388 metres gained. His run and creativity was crucial, while he appeared just as determined to win the one-on-one battles. 7.5/10
(4) Brayden Maynard: The robust defender was a pivotal figure at half-back. Stood strong in a fine battle with Darcy Fogarty, while also providing 554m gained through his booming left foot. Reinforced why he is one of the heartbeats of this side, but was on the end of some strong words from Ben Keays on the final siren. 7.5/10
(5) Jamie Elliott: He had a brilliant night, booting four goals. This included two of the Magpies’ three opening goals, while adding another as his team surged in the third term. This little man loves the big occasion. 8/10
(7) Josh Daicos: He was given a surprise start in the midfield, and rewarded coach Craig McRae with 13 first-half possessions. Ran hard all night and played a role in the tidal wave of Magpies’ goals in the third term. 7.5/10
(8) Lachie Schultz: Was typically robust as a defensive half-forward. Delivered the bone-crunching tackle of the night on Rory Laird which led to Nick Daicos finding Elliott for a major in the third term. 7/10
Lachie Schultz greets the Pies faithful post-game.Credit: AFL Photos
(9) Dan Houston: It’s been a tough season for the former star Port Adelaide playmaker. He struggled to get in the game in the first half, and didn’t have a major impact after the main break. Still, he remains a threat with ball in hand, and will have a key role to play come the preliminary final. 6.5/10
(10) Scott Pendlebury: The veteran playmaker had 23 disposals and was a safe pair of hands in his 32nd final. He barely, if at all, made a mistake, and prospered when used as a linkman. “What he has done by foot has separated this game,” commentator David King told Fox Footy. 8/10
(12) Harry Perryman: The former Giant won’t dominate the headlines, but he was a picture of composure at half-back. He enjoyed the Crows’ straight-line movement, allowing him to get a good position behind the ball. 7/10
(14) Darcy Cameron: Had an entertaining battle with Reilly O’Brien. He worked hard at centre bounces and around the ground, and rebounded after being crunched into a goal post in a marking contest. He toe-poked a goal in the second term, which came at a time when the Crows were pressing. 7/10
(15) Wil Parker: In his ninth AFL game, the former cricketer didn’t boast a huge number of possessions but was steady when he had the ball. He was subbed off midway through the final term. 6/10
Billy Frampton and Brayden Maynard celebrate their win.Credit: AFL Photos
(17) Billy Frampton: Had the monster job on Riley Thilthorpe for most of the night, and held the key forward to two goals, prompting Jack Riewoldt to describe his efforts as “phenomenal” on Fox Footy. He did concede a goal to Taylor Walker, but his brutal tackle on Ben Keays summed up his ferocious intent. 8/10
(22) Steele Sidebottom: Wow. The man of steel(e) continues to get the job done. He snapped a run of three-straight Crows goals in the second term, and supplied the first and third goals of the third. Took a high hit from Mark Keane, but played on. 8/10
(25) Jack Crisp: The hard-running midfielder was typically industrious and, as Riewoldt noted, dynamic, whether, that be in close or when given space. Would have loved to have capitalised on a couple of set shots for goal. 7/10
(28) Tim Membrey: Had little impact. He had just the two touches to half-time, his best work done in a half-time melee. He missed a set shot late in the final term, which would have made this victory an early kill. 5/10
Darcy Cameron celebrates a goal with Brody Mihocek.Credit: Getty Images
(30) Darcy Moore: A brain fade in the first term gifted Jordan Dawson a goal but, for the most part, he was a huge standout, particularly with his positioning. Why he spent 11 straight minutes on the bench in the third term was a mystery. He had the better of milestone man Taylor Walker, and later had Luke Pedlar go to him in a bid to curb his intercept marking. It didn’t work – he had a whopping nine intercept marks, the most ever in a final. 9.5/10
(31) Beau McCreery: Cleared of a foot injury, the hard-running defensive forward pressured the Crows, but was unable to hit the scoreboard. This pressure ensured the Crows struggled to rebound with dash. 5/10
(35) Nick Daicos: The AFLPA MVP delivered a brilliant inside-out goal early, setting the scene for what was to come. Has a knack of delivering a chip pass which opens up the field. The Crows did not appear to tag him, and he went on to deliver 435m gained. “What he has done with the ball tonight has been extraordinary,” commentator King said on Fox Footy. 8/10
Nick Daicos (left) and Steele Sidebottom celebrate a goal.Credit: AFL Photos
(41) Brody Mihocek: Is his contract status weighing on his mind? He was shadowed by Mark Keane and never really got in the game. He butchered a set shot from 20 metres out late in the first term, and had trouble all night converting. 5/10
(44) Ned Long: The big-bodied midfielder was superb in heavy traffic. Had an equal-team high 13 touches to half-time, and finished with 23 touches, including five clearances. His tough work in the clinches helped De Goey to a goal in the third term which fanned the flames of the Magpies’ dominant run. 7.5/10
(46) Mason Cox: Back for his first game since round 19, Cox provided the tall marking option the Pies needed up forward, allowing the crumbers to get involved. Gave Cameron a chop out in the ruck, but regretted conceding a 50m penalty which gifted Thilthorpe a goal. 6/10
Sub – (45) Roan Steele: Was activated midway through the final term and did what he could. 5/10
