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Sport Nation
Grading every player as the Suns win a thriller
Jaiden Sciberras & Nicholas Quinlan • September 7th, 2025 5:55 pm
What an incredible game of football!
A contest that hung in the balance until the final siren, the Gold Coast Suns escaped with a one-point victory over Fremantle to progress to the semis in their first ever finals campaign.
The Dockers chased down a handy Suns lead to regain advantage late in the contest, but a Mac Andrew goal and a clutch David Swallow score saw the away side scamper away with the most brilliant of wins.
The SEN.com.au team graded every player in the Elimination Final at Optus Stadium.
See our grades below:
Fremantle
Caleb Serong: A+
Not much more Serong could have done. Incredible in tight with 13 clearances, found plenty of footy and anchored the Dockers’ midfield that ultimately won out on the night.
Andrew Brayshaw: A
Always in the most dangerous position to receive. His midfield craft and work in tight is excellent, but his tank and ability to find space and progress the ball forward is top drawer.
Josh Treacy: A
Elevated his side all night. Elite tackling pressure, presented high up the ground, constant threat. Serious footballer.
Alex Pearce: A
Incredible fourth term. Five intercept marks to give his side every hope when the game was in the balance. Captain’s performance.
Hayden Young: A-
Hard to imagine where this Dockers side would be had this man played all season. So crucial in their midfield.
Luke Jackson: B+
Played a strong game. Kicked a huge goal and was great in the ruck, finished with 18 and a goal.
Patrick Voss: B+
Built for finals footy. Kicked the opener en route to a bag of three. Lively all night, true barometer.
Neil Erasmus: B+
Brilliant signs of what’s to come. Clean, good decision maker – should have a spot locked up for season 2026.
Murphy Reid: B+
Special player. Keeps the forward line ticking, so composed under pressure.
Luke Ryan: B
Sean Darcy: B-
A few errors but a decent night overall.
Jordan Clark: B-
Some top defensive actions but far from the run and carry he’s capable of.
Heath Chapman: B-
Defended well, moved the ball with good effect.
Shai Bolton: C+
Lively but wasteful. Seven turnovers across the night, Bolton couldn’t prove the difference that he so often has.
Isaiah Dudley: C+
A moments player, doing exactly as expected. Back-to-back majors in the third just when his side needed it.
Karl Worner: C
Nathan O’Driscoll: C
Brennan Cox: C-
Good moments, one very bad moment. Difficult free kick to give away, an unfortunate error costly of the Dockers’ season.
Michael Frederick: C-
Tough day for Frederick. A few costly errors that he’d love back, however pressured all night and set up two good goals.
Jaeger O’Meara: D+
Bailey Banfield: D+
Capable of far better.
Jye Amiss: D
Kicked a nice goal in the second term but couldn’t work his way into the game with just two disposals. Big offseason ahead.
SUB: Nat Fyfe: N/A
Came into his final ever game in the fourth term. A tough way to bow out for a true hero of the modern game.
Gold Coast
Noah Anderson: A
Almost had the perfect start to the game, but just pushed it right. But other than that, it was hard to fault his performance in a stirring win.
Matt Rowell: A
Didn’t have the same impact within the contest, but found plenty of uncontested ball to substitute it with.
Alex Davies: A
One of his best games of his career. Led the Suns in clearances and provided an extra dimension to the Suns' midfield.
Touk Miller: A-
Consistently in and around the contest. Made the most of the few possessions he had and was a tackling machine.
Sam Collins: A-
Had Amiss in his back pocket for the entire game and made the most of his possessions. Can’t ask more than that.
Ben Long: B
Kicked the Suns’ first goal after they had a couple of misses. Provided a steady effect on the side.
Wil Powell: B-
Had a great second half. Led the Suns in intercept possessions, but could have been better with his distribution.
Bailey Humphrey: B-
An amazing second quarter, which helped the Suns get the lead back and extend it to a near game high. Didn’t do much beyond, but showed he can be an X-factor for the Suns.
Mac Andrew: B-
Didn’t have the best last quarter defensively after getting beaten by Fredrick and Jackson in key moments. But did go forward and kick the goal to tie the match. It could have been remembered a lot differently had Swallow not scored the sealing point.
Connor Budarick: B-
Assisted Humphrey in putting Fremantle’s defenders under pressure throughout the game. Managed to get out the back and was rewarded with two goals in the second quarter.
Jy Farrah: B-
Seemed to get better as the match progressed. Most of his work came when he got up the ground but scored a fantastic goal to set the Suns up in the fourth.
Jarrod Witts: B-
Led from the front and did well against Darcy and Jackson in the ruck contest. Could have been better at getting his hit outs to advantage, especially in the stoppage.
Joel Jeffery: B-
Daniel Rioli: C+
One of the few players who had finals experiences on this side. His first quarter was excellent, but he went missing in the second and for most parts of the second half.
John Noble: C+
Started the game hot but trailed off for the remainder of the game. Didn’t have as many metres gained as we have come to expect, with most of his possessions having come from deep inside the defensive 50.
Bodhi Uwland: C+
Sam Flanders: C
Lachie Weller: C
Had a great hit up to find Long for their first goal. Found plenty of uncontested ball but was found wanting in execution.
Brayden Fiorini: C
Ben King: D+
The usually accurate King couldn’t score a goal despite his best efforts. It was lucky that the Suns made the most of their inside 50s.
Ethan Read: D-
Was consistently beaten as the second ruck and wasn’t able to do much forward.
Ben Ainsworth: D-
Barley got any touches inside 50 in a disappointing performance. Got subbed out late in the game for Swallow.
SUB - David Swallow: N/A
Came on in the fourth quarter. Only got four touches, but he has delivered the Suns their biggest moment in club history. His career goes on for at least one more week.
