Sydney’s epic prelim win was led by midfield stars Callum Mills and Chad Warner.
Plus Tom Papley was at his best — both with and without the footy — to inspire his side to a Grand Final berth.
We rate all 23 Sydney players out of 10 after its preliminary final clash against Collingwood.
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1. Chad Warner
Been compared to Chris Judd for how he goes about it on the field. Proved why on Saturday night, particularly during the second term. Looked assured and confident on the big stage, exploding away from contests and gaining ample territory for his side. Snapped an unlikely goal and found plenty of the ball in the first term but was exceptional in the second with eight disposals and four inside 50s. Finished with 22 touches, 71 per cent kicking efficiency. 12 contested possessions and nine inside 50s, while he was the No. 1 metres gained player on the field. 8
3. Dylan Stephens
Started on a wing but pushed forward to kick the second goal of the game — and just the eighth of his AFL career. Not a lot of the footy, but used it well by foot, while he had a big one-on-one win against Brayden Maynard in the final term. 5
4. Ryan Clarke
As expected, went straight to Nick Daicos in Collingwood’s defensive 50. Got an early win too, snapping a clever goal during the Swans’ first-term blitz where he set the tone with his pressure. Daicos did get more involved as the game wore on. 5
5. Isaac Heeney
Played higher up the ground in an apparent attempt to throw the Collingwood defence. Kicked a goal in the second term. Got to countless contests in the final term when their team was up against it. Finished with six score involvements. 6
6. Logan McDonald
Statless in the first half before a huge, confidence-boosting mark and goal at the start of the third term. Plucked four marks, of which two were contested. 4
8. James Rowbottom
An explosive start to the game where he got out the front of a couple of stoppages and drove the Swans forward. Strong at the contest and kicked a big goal at the start of the second term, before having a big influence during the final term. Finished with 18 disposals, 13 contested possessions, 10 tackles, six score involvements and six clearances. 7
9. Will Hayward
Had John Noble for company. Didn’t kick a goal from nine disposals. 4
11. Tom Papley
Talked the talk and, ultimately, walked the walk. As he has done for most of the year, began the game at centre bounce before pushing forward to be a threat closer to goal. Kicked a towering set-shot goal in the first term in a huge crowd-lifter. Added another in the second term after a 50m penalty and was at his lippy best giving it to his Collingwood opponents. Then kicked the match-winner — after a dubious free kick — midway through the fourth term. Finished with three goals from 16 touches. 7
13. Ollie Florent
Found plenty of the footy off half-back as he provided ample run and dash. Finished with 16 disposals. 6
14. Callum Mills
A genuine, inspirational four-quarter performer from the co-captain. Started forward before pushing into the middle where he often went one-on-one with Jack Crisp. Enormous nine-disposal opening quarter where he set the tone at the coalface and only got better from there. Helped curtail Scott Pendlebury’s influence in the second term then was asked to play a role in defence in the second half. Finished with 27 disposals. Fox Footy’s Nathan Buckley labelled him the “jack of all trades”. 9
16. Braeden Campbell
Started as the medical sub and replaced Sam Reid at the start of the third quarter. Finished with seven disposals, with his long kicking important in the final term. 5
20. Sam Reid
Provided support for Tom Hickey in the ruck, but was at his damaging best in the first term as a forward, working hard up the ground where Darcy Moore allowed him to roam free. Booted one goal from five touches and two contested marks in “the best quarter of footy I’ve seen Sam Reid play”, according to Fox Footy’s David King. Then came from the field in the second term for treatment on an adductor issue. Was subbed out at the start of the third quarter. 6
21. Errol Gulden
Came of age in the final term with a team-high seven touches for the term. His field kicking is something else, while his tackling deep in the last quarter was unbelievable. 7
22. Nick Blakey
Was excellent off half-back, providing run and dash with a seven-disposal first term. Gave away two blocking free kicks in the second term that directly led to two Collingwood goals. But finished with a team-high nine intercepts. 7
23. Lance Franklin
Cranky Buddy = influential Buddy. Had Brayden Maynard for company and was too big and strong for him. Set the tone early, tackling hard and putting his body on the line. Fox Footy’s David King said Franklin “really invested himself physically and was do dominant inside 50”. Got some scoreboard reward for effort in the second term with two set-shot goals, while he showed a strong pair of hands above his head — particularly late. Kicked 2.1 from 11 touches and seven marks. 7
24. Dane Rampe
Had stints on Jamie Elliott, who got off the chain early, as well as Ash Johnson. Finished with seven touches and six tackles. 5
26. Luke Parker
Went head-to-head with Jordan De Goey and started superbly. Kicked the first goal of the game during a six-disposal opening term, while he also quelled De Goey’s influence. 7
27. Justin McInerney
Maximum impact from his opportunities. Started on a wing next to Josh Daicos. Pulled off the play of the night in the third term, intercepting a Darcy Moore kick, running 50m and streaming into an open goal. Went at 100 per cent by foot. 6
30. Tom McCartin
Often took the resting Magpies ruckman when they drifted forward. Had the five intercepts. 5
31. Tom Hickey
What an inspired recruit he’s been for the Swans. When the ball went into the Swans’ backline, he tried to free up his Swans defenders to intercept mark. Had 15 touches and five clearances. Took a crucial contested mark in the final minute that was wildly cheered by Sydney fans. 7
39. Paddy McCartin
Spent most of the game on Brody Mihocek, who only kicked the one goal. Wasn’t as prolific offensively for the Swans, but did his job. 5
42. Robbie Fox
Rotated through a few players. Finished with 14 disposals. 5
44. Jake Lloyd
As reliable as ever down back across the four quarters. Rotated through several Collingwood half-forwards. Finished with 21 disposals and 77 per cent kicking efficiency. 7
