Intensity, super goals and some immense umpiring controversy.
Yep, it’s a real ‘2023’ type of grand final.
So, so good – and the Magpies have climbed to the summit. Congratulations, Fly and Co.!
Here’s every Magpie rated.
Patrick Lipinski: 6
The Magpies’ tactical substitute today. Came on significantly earlier than expected after Nathan Murphy’s first term concussion and had a reasonably strong influence, especially in the trenches.
Jordan De Goey: 8
Bringing the theatrics is De Goey’s forte, and he definitely delivered. Ended the first quarter with a stupidly good kick to extend their lead, was seemingly everywhere in the second, got a little quieter in the third; and then, yep, THAT goal in the last.
Isaac Quaynor: 7
He’s a wildly underrated Magpie – change my mind. Moved onto Charlie Cameron after Murphy’s departure and was excellent rebounding out of the back half.
Brayden Maynard: 7
Had a job, completed it. Has totally embraced his villain arc and is so damn good at it. Like his defensive counterparts, he became more vital after they went a man down. Not that he was fazed – he never is.
Jamie Elliott: 5
As you’d expect, he was slick and provided a spark, but I thought he was ultimately a little disappointing. Wasn’t as offensively great as he can be.
Tom Mitchell: 9
Clean and full of pressure. Fantastic through the midfield, and a strong part of the reason why the Pies were so strong across the ground.
Josh Daicos: 7
Statistically quieter, but Josh’s game was arguably as influential as Nick’s. Really enjoyed his work as the game tightened up, though like his brother he wasn’t always clean with many of his touches.
Scott Pendlebury: 8
Personifies the Pies through and through. He wasn’t as prolific as his counterparts early, but easily had the cleanest disposals in the intense battles of the first half. Slotted a lovely goal late in the third for the *ninth* lead change of the clash but dropped off a little as the game went on.
Darcy Cameron: 7
Won his battle against Brisbane’s Oscar McInerney, but spread his influence further than that – a fact that made me double-take was the fact Cameron had the equal-fourth most contested possessions on the ground.
Billy Frampton: 1
Got his chance after Dan McStay’s injury, but never truly grasped it. One of the few Collingwood players I’d say had a genuinely poor day, particularly in the last term.
Steele Sidebottom: 7
Prolific yet pretty messy early, making up for what he lacked in polish with pressure. Improved truckloads in the second half, and was particularly influential in the final term.
Bobby Hill: 10
Amazing, but I will forever despise him for providing BT the chance to refer to his excellent second-quarter mark as a ‘Hill’s Hoist’. In all seriousness, he was far and away the strongest forward on the ground.
Really, really excellent – and a totally deserved Norm Smith Medallist.
Jack Crisp: 8
While it was De Goey in the first term, Crisp stepped up in the second. Thought he was good without being spectacular in the first half until he sent through a long-range effort to send them ahead at the main break. Very solid, if a little understated.
Nathan Murphy: 6
Exceptional early, blanketing Charlie Cameron in the first term, but was ruled out of the game after clashing heads with Lincoln McCarthy in a contest in the second. Damn shame.
Darcy Moore (c): 7
Didn’t necessarily garner the attention he probably deserved but was statistically quiet. Nothing especially special but that’s okay, given Moore’s “nothing special” is still “very good” and he’s a player whose influences transcends stats.
Beau McCreery: 7
Never, ever stopped running. Love the tenacity and energy he brings to the side. Was fantastic today, if errant in front of goal.
Will Hoskin-Elliott: 3
Very quiet, remaining scoreless through the clash and struggling to influence proceedings.
Jack Ginnivan: 4
Didn’t particularly inspire, having his moments but failing to make a real impact in the clash. Only troubled the goal umpire with a behind, but he wasn’t the only culprit.
Nick Daicos: 8
Exactly as influential – and as good – as you’d expect, if a little less damaging by foot. Nailed the perfect start, slamming through the first goal of the clash, and never stopped.
Oleg Markov: 6
Not a standout, not everything went right, but among those who has super tenacity. An underrated cog in the machine.
Jeremy Howe: 7
Sent a scare through the Magpies’ camp in the fourth term after a rough bump but played a pivotal role in the late stages of the game. Unsurprisingly, second only to the brilliant Keidan Coleman for metres gained.
Brody Mihocek: 6
The Pies’ strongest forward early, slamming home a lovely first term goal. Got a little quieter from there on out and won’t necessarily be on the highlight reel too often.
Mason Cox: 7
Heck of a rollercoaster day. Handed his critics a moment they’ll savour with a horrible, attempted kick out of defence which was pounced on by a (superb) Zac Bailey, and while he never reached the heights of some of his previous finals performances, he certainly had a good day.
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