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PLAYER RATINGS: Lions into their third GF in a row with a defining win
Nicholas Quinlan • September 21st, 2025 12:24 am
The 2025 AFL Grand Final match-up is set with the Brisbane Lions booking their spot over the Magpies.
It is now the Lions’ third Grand Final in a row with a 29-point win against Collingwood at the MCG on Saturday night.
Collingwood almost had the perfect start with Nick Daicos bursting out of the centre square to hit up a leading Mason Cox. But instead, he dropped the mark with the Magpies managing the first score later on.
But Cox quickly redeemed himself as he slotted the first goal a couple of moments later.
Shortly after that goal, the Magpies were dealt a massive blow with Scott Pendlebury being subbed out of the game with a calf injury.
The Lions capitalised on that as they proceeded to kick the next four goals to lead at quarter time.
The Magpies were quick to respond in the second quarter as they overcame a 20-point deficit to lead by 13 points at halftime, as they kicked six unanswered goals.
But their lead was short-lived, with the momentum once again swinging in Brisbane’s favour as they proceeded to kick the next four goals.
And that lead would stay with the Lions for the remainder of the game, with this being their sixth win out of their last seven games at the MCG.
Here is SEN.com.au's player ratings from Saturday's preliminary final.
Brisbane
Darcy Wilmot: A+
He was phenomenal for the entire game for the Lions. He was able to find plenty of the ball through uncontested possessions, which he proceeded to get forward and help create scoring opportunities.
Hugh McCluggage: A+
After that poor qualifying final, he has played like a man possessed since then. Led the game in disposals and was nine clear of second. Also led the game for clearances. Not bad considering he has been playing through a knee injury these finals.
Will Ashcroft: A+
He’s slowly but surely building his case as one of the best finals performers in the AFL. Kicked two superb goals in the third to get the Lions within a point of the Magpies and then extend their lead. Also managed to get nine score involvements from 20 disposals.
Harris Andrews: A
The captain held down the fort in defence, with his experience once again helping the Lions. Alongside Wilmot, he limited Collingwood going forward with plenty of intercept possessions.
Dayne Zorko: A
A poor blocking attempt from the veteran saw the Lions concede their first goal, with Cox letting him know about it. But he recovered and more than made up for it and sealed his side's fate with the last goal for the Lions.
Zac Bailey: A-
Playing as an on-baller rather than a half forward this week, he was impactful in both areas. He almost gave the Magpies their first goal after being under siege, but just got out of it.
Ty Gallop: A-
In his very short AFL career, he has gotten better in each game that he has played. A team high of three goals alongside a game high of three contested marks.
Josh Dunkley: A-
His alertness was ever present and was rewarded with a turnover and subsequent goal from Howe. Once again, his impact on both sides of the ball was so important, having led the game in tackles once again.
Darcy Gardiner: B
Playing on Mihocek, Gardiner looked far more comfortable compared to what he did last week against Ben King. He won the match-up comfortably.
Jaspa Fletcher: B
Levi Ashcroft: B
Started the match hot but then went unsighted for the remainder of the match.
Cam Rayner: B-
A strangely quiet first half from Brisbane’s X-factor player, only managing five handballs for the first half. But he made up for it in the third with two impactful goals.
Callum Ah Chee: B-
Logan Morris: B-
He wasn’t as dominant on the scoreboard as he had been in their previous encounter back in Round 21. He was able to find the ball deep in the forward line and up the field, as shown with his perfect kick to Cameron for the Lions’ 12th goal.
Darcy Fort: B-
Cameron may have more hit-outs than Fort, but the 204cm ruckman was far more effective in turning his hit-outs into clearances.
Sam Marshall: B-
Had a great first quarter to help the Lions start well. The 19-year-old would have a diminishing impact for the remaining three quarters, but he still has plenty of time to develop.
Ryan Lester: C+
Having come off from a head knock in the second quarter, the dependable defender played his role, which helped the Lions progress into the last Saturday in September.
Charlie Cameron: C+
Kai Lohmann: C+
A consistent performance for the match. His only goal in the fourth put the doubt beyond for the Lions.
SUB - Bruce Reville: C
Came on in the second quarter. Managed to have some impact on the match, but those were few and far between.
Oscar McInerney: C
Was quiet in the forward line but matched it with Cox as the second ruck.
Having missed the Grand Final last year, the Big O will get to play in his second Grand Final.
Having missed the Grand Final last year, the Big O will get to play in his second Grand Final.
Brandon Starcevic: C-
Jarrod Berry: N/A
Had plenty of impact from the defensive 50 as he usually does. Came off the field with a shoulder injury in the second quarter and won’t feature in the Grand Final.
Collingwood
Nick Daicos: A-
Almost started the game with a goal assist, had Cox not dropped the mark after bursting out of the centre circle. It was a large reason why Brisbane didn’t completely dominate the clearances, but needed others to go with him, which they didn’t.
Josh Daicos: B+
Moved the ball forward like he usually does with plenty of gusto. Unfortunately, it didn’t have the same effect on Collingwood’s scoring like it usually does.
Jamie Elliott: B+
Did his best to keep the Pies within touching distance following the Lions’ three-quarter run with an unbelievable specky and two goals. Kicked another to get to a game high of four goals for the match.
Darcy Moore: B
Kept Morris to just the one goal, which was a massive improvement from their last encounter. Only had nine possessions, but all of those were interceptions.
Harry Perryman: B-
Led the match for intercept possessions but was poor with the ball in hand coming out of the defence.
Mason Cox: B-
Could have kicked the opening goal within the first 30 seconds, but dropped a mark that he usually takes. But he was sure to redeem himself when he got his next opportunity. Was only slightly beaten as the second ruck option.
Jack Crisp: B-
His tackle on Bailey, which was called holding the ball, could have been the spark that gave Collingwood some hope, but it wasn’t to be.
Pat Lipinski: C+
Lachie Schultz: C+
Went up the ground on occasion and was able to find the ball. Scored a lovely goal during that six-goal run in the second quarter to keep the momentum going.
Darcy Cameron: C+
He won the hit-out battle against Fort and McInerney, but could have done better in turning those hit-outs into clearances, particularly at stoppage.
Billy Frampton: C+
Isaac Quaynor: C
Cameron got the better of him in their match-up, but not by much.
Brayden Maynard: C
Jordan De Goey: C
Collingwood’s X-factor didn’t have the same impact as he usually does in finals. Really fell away in the second half when the Lions got the game back on their terms.
Beau McCreery: C
Tim Membrey: C
In his first prelim, he showed plenty of positive signs with two goals.
His lasting legacy from that match will be trying to get the ball to Elliott when he should have scored himself halfway through the fourth. That might have been enough to break the momentum.
His lasting legacy from that match will be trying to get the ball to Elliott when he should have scored himself halfway through the fourth. That might have been enough to break the momentum.
SUB - Roan Steele: C
Came into the game a lot earlier than he would have expected. The mid-season draftee did okay, but couldn’t make the most of his opportunity.
Ned Long: C
Dan Houston: C-
Got the Pies to their game-high lead, but turned the ball over way too much for someone with his potential. His second prelim in two years, but despite being different colours, it has ended the same way.
Steele Sidebottom: C-
He usually does well on these big occasions, but was left wanting in his performance. Had the match-up on McCluggage, who ran amok for all four quarters.
Jeremy Howe: D+
In his first match since Round 24, Howe was certainly rusty. His first and second disposals were ones to forget. It didn’t get much better for him after that.
Brody Mihocek: D
He was kept quiet by Gardiner for the entire match.
Scott Pendlebury: N/A
Only played the first five minutes before coming off with a calf injury. Did not touch the ball during that time.
Only played the first five minutes before coming off with a calf injury. Did not touch the ball during that time.
