Sep 27, 2014

AFL Grand Final: Who starred? Who stunk?

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The Fox Footy panel break down the 2014 AFL grand final with ratings for each of Hawthorn's premiership-winning players.
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The Fox Footy panel break down the 2014 AFL grand final with ratings for each of Sydney's defeated players.
The Hawks probably couldn’t have played any better, the Swans couldn’t have played much worse.
And the player ratings for every participant in Saturday’s AFL Grand Final certainly reflect that.
HAWTHORN
LUKE HODGE — 10
Perfect day for the Hawks skipper in his 250th, picking up his second Norm Smith for a 35 disposal, two goal masterclass.
JORDAN LEWIS — 9
Had more of the ball than anyone and ensured the Hawks controlled the midfield all day.
SAM MITCHELL — 9
Handled the pressure of a grand final better than anyone, rarely wasting any of his 33 disposals.
JARRYD ROUGHEAD — 8.5
More than matched the impact of his mate Buddy at the other end, kicking five goals.
WILL LANGFORD — 8.5
Completed a dream finals series with 21 disposals and three goals. Joined father Chris in the Hawks premiership club.
JOSH GIBSON — 8
Had an astonishing amount of the ball — 32 disposals — and was also strong defensively.
Hawthorn’s Josh Gibson. Picture: David Caird. Hawthorn’s Josh Gibson. Picture: David Caird. Source: News Corp Australia
LUKE BREUST — 8
Had been quiet in the finals series but snapped out of his minor slump with three goals.
SHAUN BURGOYNE — 8
Dermott Brereton describes him as one of the great finals players. No arguments here.
GRANT BIRCHALL — 7.5
Under-rated defensively, Birchall did what he always does by racking up 25 disposals.
BRAD HILL — 7.5
Made Rhyce Shaw look old at times on his way to 23 disposals and a great goal.
JACK GUNSTON — 7
Radar was off early but he still kicked three goals — regulation for him in finals.
LIAM SHIELS — 7
Everyone talks about the Hawks’ flash but they also have grunt. Shiels leads the way in this area.
Ben Stratton and Liam Shiels. Ben Stratton and Liam Shiels. Source: News Corp Australia
BRIAN LAKE — 7
Posterised Kurt Tippett with a big mark and again saved his best for the last game of the season.
BEN STRATTON — 7
Another role player who played above himself at times. Finished with 22 disposals and five marks.
MATT SUCKLING — 6.5
Settled really quickly and continued to use the ball well off half back all game.
MATT SPANGHER — 6.5
Has become a cult hero and finally got a premiership medallion after being on the sidelines three times.
ISAAC SMITH — 6
Cunningham had his measure in the first half but he managed to break away a few times in the second half.
BEN MCEVOY — 6
The ruck contest wasn’t a huge factor in the game because of Hawthorn’s dominance at ground level.
Hawthorn’s Ben McEvoy. Hawthorn’s Ben McEvoy. Source: Getty Images
DAVID HALE — 5.5
Like McEvoy, was shaded by Mike Pyke in the air but managed to sneak forward and kick a goal.
PAUL PUOPOLO — 5.5
Played with his usual spunk but it wasn’t really his type of game.
CYRIL RIOLI — 5.5
Didn’t play a huge part in proceedings and will be grateful he was included.
TAYLOR DURYEA — 5
Started as the sub but had nine disposals and one shining moment on the wing.
SYDNEY
LANCE FRANKLIN — 8
You couldn’t really ask much more from Franklin, who kicked four goals in the best Grand Final of his career.
JOSH KENNEDY — 7
Was Sydney’s best midfielder but there was still daylight between his effort and those from Hodge, Lewis and Mitchell.
NICK MALCESKI — 7
Held the backline together as best as he could but couldn’t get forward as often as he normally does.
ADAM GOODES — 6.5
Actually thought he was one of the Swans’ best despite only 13 disposals. Always looked a threat in attack.
DAN HANNEBERY — 5
Put up solid numbers — 20 disposals and five tackles — but was nowhere near where he needed to be.
Sydney’s Dan Hannebery. Pic. Phil Hillyard Sydney’s Dan Hannebery. Pic. Phil Hillyard Source: News Corp Australia
KIEREN JACK — 5
Fluffed two golden opportunities in front of goal but responded by kicking two in the second half.
NICK SMITH — 5
Rioli didn’t do much which is what you want from a lockdown small defender. Only nine disposals.
HARRY CUNNINGHAM — 5
Had some success on Smith but was one of eight Swans who failed to crack double figures in disposals.
CRAIG BIRD — 4.5
Started as the sub again but didn’t deserve to given the performances of some of his teammates.
LUKE PARKER — 4.5
Major disappointment from a player who enjoyed so much hype in the past month. Hardly provided any offence.
KURT TIPPETT — 4.5
Crows fans would have enjoyed watching Tippett today. Embarrassed at times but didn’t stop working.
RHYCE SHAW — 4
Found plenty of the ball but his disposal was ineffective and often put teammates under the pump.
Rhyce Shaw is tackled by Cyril Rioli. Picture: Michael Klein Rhyce Shaw is tackled by Cyril Rioli. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia
TED RICHARDS — 4
It’s hard to be too critical of the defence because there was just so much supply coming forwards. Richards could have handled it better.
DANE RAMPE — 4
Was seen as the weak link in the Swans defence but wasn’t overly exposed. Plenty of improvement to come.
BEN MCGLYNN — 4
Starved of opportunity when he was in the front six and apart from an early goal failed to have an impact.
MIKE PYKE — 4
Won the ruck battle, tallying 32 hit outs but failed to lay a tackle or impose himself around the ground.
JAKE LLOYD — 3.5
Another Swans midfielder who looked like a battler out of his class depth.
JARRAD MCVEIGH — 3
Probably the most disappointing Swan given he’s the captain. No idea where that performance came from.
Jarrad McVeigh Pic. Phil Hillyard Jarrad McVeigh Pic. Phil Hillyard Source: News Corp Australia
SAM REID — 3
Failed to score and only took two marks.
HEATH GRUNDY — 3
Will want to avoid the TV this week because replays of that spoil have been shown a few times already.
LEWIS JETTA — 2.5
Will be happy to have the concussion excuse because he was rarely sighted before or after.
GARY ROHAN — 2
Probably the player Bird will feel should have started with the green vest.
Originally published as AFL Grand Final: Who starred? Who stunk?
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