The Brownlow Medal favourite pulled out one of the great, match-winning individual finals performances we’ve seen for a while.
Plus Joe Daniher’s rollercoaster night and a Pies trade target’s phenomenal game in a makeshift role.
We rate all 22 Brisbane players for their performances against Richmond in the Second Elimination Final.
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2. Deven Robertson
Was thrown in at the opening centre bounce and took Dion Prestia, curtailing his influence across the first half. Then kept on contributing after Prestia was subbed out, including kicking a classy goal late in the third term. 6
3. Joe Daniher
My word what a rollercoaster game. Had Robbie Tarrant for company early before being asked to pinch-hit in the ruck in the absence of Oscar McInerney. Looked shaky at times, highlighted by a horror third-quarter clanger that led to a Maurice Rioli. David King told Fox Footy: “Joe Daniher needs to be better than this. He goes around the back and takes the ball off a first-gamer (Darcy Wilmot) and basically takes the ball out of his hands on a slow play … you need more from your senior core players.” Then kicked a stunning long-range goal just before three quarter-time followed by a clever checkside goal at the start of the fourth quarter. But just when Lincoln McCarthy had a chance to win the game for the Lions, Daniher gave away a free kick for a push-out … then redeemed himself with the match-winning goal. Bonkers. 7
4. Cal Ah Chee
Started as the sub, but only had to wait a couple of minutes to be injected into the game after Oscar McInerney was subbed out of the match. Was sent into the forward line — rather than the defensive 50 — and had an immediate impact, getting free several times and even kicking a goal. Barely sighted after quarter-time. 4
5. Mitch Robinson
Started on a wing next to Jack Ross. Statless in the second term then gave away a silly free kick in the third quarter that led to a Tyler Sonsie goal. Finished with 10 touches. 4
6. Hugh McCluggage
All class. Another strong final after two great games last year. Kicked the Lions’ first goal of the game from a set-shot and showed ample class and composure through his eight-disposal first quarter, both by hand and foot. Finished with 25 touches, 11 contested possessions and six tackles. 8
7. Jarrod Berry
Was on the wing next to Kamdyn McIntosh at the opening centre bounce. Had a couple important moments in his 14-disposal game. 5
9. Lachie Neale
Epic. Colossal. One of the great finals games. Clean and tough at the coalface, polished on the outside. Had nine of Brisbane’s 23 clearances at half-time and finished with a career-best 15 clearances — the second-most clearances ever recorded in a final — to go with 39 disposals, 21 contested possessions and nine score involvements. David King told Fox Footy: “It’s a one-man war in there with Lachie Neale, he’s been unbelievable … He was the one problem (for Richmond) all night.” Barely came off the ground in the second half. An extraordinary game to drag his team over the line. We don’t give out perfect scores often, but this one deserves one. 10
10. Daniel Rich
Rotated through a few Tigers forwards. Pulled off a stunning daisy-cutter kick in the third term that set up Lincoln McCarthy’s first major. Most metres gained by any Lions player and went at 73 per cent by foot. 7
11. Lincoln McCarthy
Statless in the first term but got better as the game went on, kicking a goal in the third term. Finished with 10 touches and seven inside 50s. 5
15. Dayne Zorko
Showed some terrific polish in space early, including a lovely long kick to set up Cal Ah Chee’s first-quarter goal. Then had nine disposals, two clearances and five inside 50s in the second term alone. Finished with 22 touches and seven inside 50s. 7
18. Keidean Coleman
Spent time on Maurice Rioli, who fooled him during the third quarter to kick a goal. Wasn’t able to find lots of space to show off his brilliant kicking skills, but lifted in the final term with seven disposals. 5
20. Jaxon Prior
Won most of his 12 disposals backward of centre. 4
23. Charlie Cameron
Electric. Showed great pressure in the first term then got reward for effort in the second term, snapping a ridiculous goal over his shoulder before booting another at the start of the fourth in two individual pieces of brilliance. Then pulled off one of the goal assists of the year, tapping the ball behind his head to set up Eric Hipwood’s goal. Pushed hard up the ground to get involved then led back hard and become dangerous at ground level. Six of his 11 disposals ended up in Lions scores. 7
25. Dan McStay
Collingwood wants him as key forward on a five-year, $3 million deal, but maybe he can add to their pinch-hitting ruck stocks? Stared forward with Noah Balta for company before being switched into the ruck after Oscar McInerney was subbed out. But it meant he was able to get involved in the game more, finishing with one goal from a career-high 23 disposals, nine score involvements and six tackles. 8
27. Darcy Gardiner
Had the ominous match-up against Dustin Martin at the opening bounce. Produced a horror turnover in the second term that led to a goal to Noah Cumberland. Looked vulnerable at times. 4
30. Eric Hipwood
Pulled off some epic goals against the grain in the first half. Competed hard and gave his Lions huge confidence in the first term. Big start to the game with two terrific set-shot goals, the first from a tight angle and the second from beyond the 50m arc on the quarter-time siren. Finished with 3.1 from 11 disposals. 6
31. Harris Andrews
Went straight to Tom Lynch. Did a great job early, but the Tigers star got off the leash as the game wore on to finish with 3.2. had six intercepts and used the ball well though. 5
33. Zac Bailey
Helped spark the Lions in the second half. Switched between half-forward and midfield. Looked dangerous forward of centre, leading to a goal in the goalsquare from a Brisbane centre bounce clearance. Finished with 24 disposals and 11 contested possessions. 7
36. Rhys Mathieson
Started on the bench before stints on the ball. Finished with 14 disposals and nine contested possessions. 5
37. Brandon Starcevich
Spent time on Noah Cumberland then Shai Bolton and wore the latter like a glove while running off him to have an offensive presence, with eight disposals and two marks in the first term. Luke Hodge told Channel 7: “He’s been physical and whenever he’s been near him, he’s pushed him around.” Bolton starred in the first half but had just three touches in the second half, so points to Starcevich. 7
40. Jack Payne
Had the match-up on Jack Riewoldt, who kicked some crucial goals throughout the night. Didn’t use the ball well by foot. 4
44. Darcy Wilmot
We sure this was his first game? Thrived in the finals limelight. Two very clean handballs to start his AFL career then kicked his first goal after a 50m penalty in the second term. His celebration was infectious and lifted the Gabba crowd. 5
46. Oscar McInerney
The in-form ruckman’s night ended after 99 seconds of game time. Subbed out after a head clash. N/A
