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Sport Nation
Grading every player as the Magpies put the league on notice
Jaiden Sciberras & Andrew Slevison • September 5th, 2025 12:42 am
The Magpies have done it!
In front of 52,187 at Adelaide Oval, the Pies hit the scoreboard early, but a response from the Crows’ leaders in Tex Walker and Jordan Dawson had the vocal home crowd roaring in the first term.
Adelaide pressed forward time and time again, however it was Collingwood’s defensive unit standing up as tall as ever, winning their one on ones and intercepting with ease despite the absence of Jeremy Howe.
Despite playing off the back foot for much of the first half, the Pies entered the main break with a six-point advantage, and an incredible start to the premiership quarter saw the margin blow out mere minutes after the restart.
A third term Magpie blitz had the veteran side kick seven straight majors, using their experience to keep the contest under their control for much of the second half.
Holding on expertly, Collingwood ran away victorious by 24 points, soaring into a home Preliminary Final.
We graded every player in the AFL’s first September action of 2025.
See our grades below:
Adelaide
Josh Worrell: B+
Stood tall all night. Was peppered with repeat entries, certainly did his part.
Taylor Walker: B+
Game 300, and as dangerous as ever. Booted the first for the Crows to stem the Pies' early run. Faced a difficult battle against a bullish Darcy Moore and yet was by far the Crows' most damaging forward. Could have had a bag if his kicking permitted.
Luke Pedlar: B+
A moments player, making things happen when momentum was against them.
Alex Neal-Bullen: B
Used his finals experience extremely well. Did a little bit of everything to see the Crows forward.
Mark Keane: B
Held Mihocek goalless, however not all to his own credit. Taken deep into the back 50 and had his elite intercept game rendered somewhat ineffective, however was solid as the last line, standing up on several occasions.
Jordan Dawson: B-
Good early, was less involved than his side would have hoped as the game began to slip.
Riley Thilthorpe: B-
Quiet up forward for most of the night. Won the back-up ruck battle against Mason Cox, however couldn't dominate around the ground as he has throughout the season.
Rory Laird: B-
Unbelievable clearance to almost secure the Crows' first.
Sam Berry: C+
Dan Curtin: C+
Played beyond his years as he has all season.
Wayne Milera: C+
Zac Taylor: C+
Proved a cool head in the front third despite a small sample size.
Jake Soligo: C+
Unable to impose himself as we know he can.
Reilly O’Brien: C
Might have dominated the hitouts, but was well beaten around the ground by Darcy Cameron. Squandered a few chances up forward.
Hugh Bond: C
A few great moments on his biggest career stage.
Max Michalanney: C
Reintroduced as a defensive forward after significant time on the sidelines.
James Peatling: C-
Nick Murray: D+
Ben Keays: D+
The Pies continue to present as Keays' bogey team.
Isaac Cumming: D+
Near no involvement.
Mitch Hinge: D
Only seven disposals, subbed out before 3QT. Typically a reliable user, the Crows would have expected more.
Darcy Fogarty: D-
Unsighted.
SUB: Brodie Smith: N/A
Brought into the game just before 3QT.
Collingwood
Jordan De Goey: A+
Was largely unsighted early, but was immense after the first break. Most clearances for the game with six and second most tackles with seven. Lovely goal to help spark the Pies in the third.
Will be sweating on the MRO after bumping Josh Worrell high.
Ned Long: A
Busy around the contest. Tackled hard all night to finish with right tackles - the most for the match. 23 touches including 13 contested. Excellent performance.
Nick Daicos: A
Beautiful early goal. Some very nice touches and customarily clever ball use. Just three handballs in second quarter, but was back to his best after half-time. Pure class.
Jamie Elliott: A
Early mark and goal to settle Collingwood’s nerves. Overcame a slight knee issue to boot four majors. Always dangerous inside forward 50. Best return in a final.
Isaac Quaynor: A
Was super early, winning one on ones and taking risks. Solid as the game went on. A valued contributor in a big win.
Darcy Moore: A
A huge error led to Jordan Dawson’s first-quarter goal. Grew in confidence thereafter and was colossal in the air. Took intercept marks at will.
Josh Daicos: B+
Superb in first half and massive late. Almost 500 metres gained, four clearances and 24 disposals in game 150.
Steele Sidebottom: B+
Always involved. Vital goal in second term. Snapped another in the third term and followed it up with a third soon after. Last kicked three in a final in 2010. Such a clever and classy footballer. Moments man.
Scott Pendlebury: B+
Continues to be a key player for the Pies. So dependable in the clinches and barely put a foot wrong… as usual.
Brayden Maynard: B+
Usual tenacious self. Some big defensive wins and the most metres gained on the ground. Always empties himself out.
Lachie Schultz: B+
Did some very nice things. Crunching tackle in the third quarter. Clever and committed player who brings so much pressure in the forward line. Intensity both around the contest and when chasing was unmatched.
Jack Crisp: B
A big finals performer who was well down on his best early. Lifted after quarter-time, particularly in the third term. 14 touches after half-time. Solid outing without being great.
Darcy Cameron: B
Couple of intercept marks. Clever volley goal in the second term. Not his usual prolific output but battled manfully.
Dan Houston: B-
Busy in the first term and also in the last term, book-ending his night. Didn’t do a great deal in quarters two and three. His kicking was just a bit off.
Billy Frampton: B-
Spent most of the night on Riley Thilthorpe and kept the All-Australian relatively quiet. Massive tackle on Ben Keays in the first term. Did his job.
Harry Perryman: C+
Industrious early and did little wrong. Only touched the ball seven times after the first term. Solid contributor.
Patrick Lipinski: C+
Found space at times in a hot opening quarter. Kept busy all night. Opportunistic goal in the third.
Beau McCreery: C
Had some moments. Better in the second half. His pace is always an issue for opponents.
Tim Membrey: C
Struggled to impact until the fourth quarter. Battled away as a key forward.
Brody Mihocek: C
Put himself in harm’s way to earn a free kick but missed early in the first term. And the misses continued. Ended up with 0.5. Could have been a decent night.
Wil Parker: C-
Not a huge night stats wise but put his head over the ball when needed. A few errant kicks in the second half before he was subbed out.
Mason Cox: C-
Didn’t do too much. Played his role as the chop-out ruckman.
SUB: Roan Steele: N/A
Started as sub and only came on late. Hard to rate.
