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For some fans, it felt a little odd to have Serong in a Victorian guernsey, considering how long he has been a Docker. He was superb in the first half with 15 touches and 354 metres gained, and all but sealed the win with a clever snap late in the final term.
Rating: 7.5
Marcus Bontempelli (WB – captain)
The Bulldogs great enjoyed a let-off after he conceded a 50-metre penalty in the first term, only for Chad Warner to botch the set shot. Had his first goal minutes later, as the Vics started taking control. Worked his way into the contest well and had 12 score involvements by late in the third quarter, finishing with 30 disposals. Also had strong claims to being best afield.
Rating: 8
Hugh McCluggage (BRI)
The dual Lions premiership player was quiet early in the first term but finished with a flurry, including a successful snapped goal, the Vics’ sixth goal of the quarter. Had another in the second.
Rating: 7
Zach Merrett (ESS)
The former Bombers skipper was busy early, a couple of chip kicks across his body just missing a teammate. Had 12 touches and a soccer goal of his own before the main break, and continued to find the ball late in the game.
Rating: 7
Nick Daicos (COL)
The opening goal by his direct opponent Warner at the stoppage gave the Magpies star greater ammunition, and he was central to the visitors’ first-quarter surge. There was a brilliant pass to Bontempelli in the second term, he was lively around the ground, then came a set-shot conversion from 48 metres in the second. Finished with a whopping 38 disposals, 13 score involvements and 670 metres gained, his teammates wanting him to have ball in hand. Surely, he deserved the EJ Whitten Medal? Some may say yes. Wonder what his famous father Peter thinks?
Rating: 8.5
Big night: Nick Daicos was in excellent touch for Victoria on Saturday night.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
Zak Butters (PA)
The star free-agent was tough and physical, and clearly loved playing an agitating role. Made amends for an early mistake which gifted Charlie Cameron a goal by minutes later finding Ben King on the lead. Was the highest-rated player afield to half-time, and continued to have an influence.
Rating: 8
Sam Darcy (WB)
The emerging gun forward was always a marking threat, and Victoria regularly looked to him with a long kick from downfield. Gave North fans a heart-in-mouth moment when he crashed into the back of Tristan Xerri in a marking contest, but the big man was not hurt. Darcy’s ruck skills were also on show inside attacking 50 metres.
Max Gawn (right) and Luke Jackson after the game.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
Rating: 6
Max Gawn (MEL)
It was great to have the ruckmen again jumping – rather than just wrestling – at a centre ball-up (no longer a bounce under new rules). Had only four touches to half-time in what was a fierce battle with Darcy Cameron and Tim English. Worked hard late in the third term.
Rating: 7
Lachie Ash (GWS)
The hard-running Giant was awarded the EJ Whitten Medal as Victoria’s best player. Had 11 disposals and 270 metres gained to half-time, and continued to provide rebounding dash after the main break, finishing with 25 touches (at 79 per cent conversion) and 498 metres gained. While he was dominant, Daicos could consider himself unlucky to not have been named best afield.
Rating: 8.5
Victoria’s Lachie Ash won the EJ Whitten Medal.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
Blake Hardwick (HAW)
Had been an unheralded figure in the Hawks’ rise, but selection here should change that perception. Was typically diligent in defence and used the ball well.
Rating: 7
Max Holmes (GEE)
The dynamic Cat was one of a bevy of midfielders who gave the Vics a 21-10 inside-50 advantage during the first quarter. Was used at half-back through the evening, and provided counter-punch and finished with 21 touches and 666 metres gained.
Rating: 7
Noah Anderson (GCS)
Delivered a fine pass across his body to Bailey Smith in the second term. Was not happy when Kysaiah Pickett crashed into his back, and the pair exchanged words. Finished with 19 disposals.
Rating: 7
Matt Rowell (GCS)
The reigning Brownlow medallist loves nothing more than extracting the ball at stoppages – and was at his robust best. Has added greater run to his game, but finished the evening on the bench with a finger issue.
Rating: 7
Jack Gunston (HAW)
The Hawks veteran was used as a forward but pushed further afield when required. Delivered a clever pass to Butters in the second term, and the latter converted.
Rating: 6
Ed Richards (WB)
The Dogs’ best and fairest winner delivered his typical dashing run from half-back and through the midfield but did not have a major impact.
Rating: 6.5
Jacob Weitering’s State of Origin game ended in injury.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
Jacob Weitering (CAR)
The moment everyone feared came to fruition with just over 10 minutes left in the first quarter, when the Blues star crashed to the turf heavily in a marking contest with teammate Sam Collins and WA’s Mitch Georgiades and appeared to hurt his neck and shoulder, with concussion also a possibility. Play was stopped for several minutes as Weitering was assessed, then carried from the field and hospitalised. Had conceded an early goal to Jesse Hogan.
Rating: 5
Josh Battle (HAW)
The former Saint never appeared flustered, and read the play well. Had an elevated role in defence when Weitering was hurt, and completed that mission well.
Rating: 7
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Sam Collins (GCS)
The Suns’ defensive pillar had the job, at times, of playing as a spare man, ensuring WA could not go long down the line. There won’t be one forward who looks forward to matching up on this man-of-steel this year.
Rating: 7
Bailey Smith (GEE)
The controversial Cats star said he had texted Daicos on game eve about how excited he was to play alongside the Magpies’ gun. It was a surprise to have him start on the bench, but he worked his way into the contest, converting in the third term after a contentious free kick against Liam Baker. Finished with 25 disposals.
Rating: 7
Ben King (GC)
Drafted into the squad to replace the injured Jeremy Cameron, the Suns forward settled Victorian nerves when he outmarked Rory Lobb and converted the visitors’ first goal, from 40 metres. Had two goals in the first term, and another in the second, but did feel for his ribs.
Rating: 7
Patrick Dangerfield (GEE)
Was listed to start on the bench but began in the centre square (it’s not like coach Christ Scott to make a late move). Botched a set shot in the second term but was brilliant when he won a contested ball and handballed to King, who converted. A 60-metre bomb in the third quarter stretched the visitors’ lead to five goals. Had key touches in the final term.
Patrick Dangerfield wears a tackle from WA’s Liam Baker.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
Rating: 7.5
Tristan Xerri (NM)
The only Victorian yet to play an AFL final, the talented ruckman took an important intercept mark in the second term which led to a goal, and then followed up with a 45-metre conversion of his own from a 50-metre penalty. North fans will hope there are no lingering issues from a heavy clash with Darcy late in the second term.
Rating: 7
Tom Stewart (GEE)
The Cats veteran had to spend more time in a key position than he had planned – that being on Jake Waterman – when Weitering left the field.
Rating: 7
Western Australia
Jaeger O’Meara (FRE)
The home-town boy had 11 disposals to half-time, his hard-running helping WA get back into the contest in the second term.
Rating: 7
Luke Jackson (FRE)
The Dockers’ athletic big man ended a run of five Victorian goals with his first goal of the evening in the second quarter. Delivered a brilliant goal on the run in the third, when used as a ruck-rover with English as the ruckman.
Rating: 7
West Australians (from left) Stephen Coniglio, Charlie Cameron and Kysaiah Pickett enjoy a goal.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
Stephen Coniglio (GWS)
The veteran Giants midfielder found plenty of the ball without having a stand-out moment. Had 21 touches and 300 metres gained.
Rating: 7
Callum Ah Chee (ADE)
The former Lions premiership star and now Crow did not get going. This was a contest where the home team needed the robust forward to leave an imprint, but he was well held and finished the night with a hamstring issue.
Rating: 4
Chad Warner (SYD)
The silky Swans playmaker delivered the opening goal of the evening after sharking a loose ball from a boundary throw-in. That he grabbed his guernsey was a show of passion. He later made even Bontempelli look silly when he evaded the Dogs great, but struggled to have an impact in the third term when the contest was on the line.
Rating: 7.5
Jordan Clark (FRE)
The playmaking Docker was busy all evening, with 21 touches and 411 metres gained to the final break. Continued to work hard in the final quarter, finishing with 27 disposals and 586 metres gained.
Rating: 8
Rory Lobb (WB)
The reborn Bulldogs defender had the job on King, a task made more difficult because the Vics ran in waves from half-back and pushed forward.
Rating: 6.5
Shai Bolton (FRE)
The former Richmond premiership player did his best to ignite his side and had the opportunity to be best afield, but his poor disposal percentage hurt. Wasted a golden opportunity with a wayward snap for goal midway through the second term. There was a moment of dash in the third term when he ran into goal, but it wasn’t enough.
Rating: 6.5
Patrick Cripps leads Western Australia out.Credit: Getty Images
Patrick Cripps (CAR – captain)
The Blues great dropped his shoulder into Smith early, reinforcing how passionate he was about this contest. Enjoyed the battle in tight, where he has enjoyed a Hall of Fame career, but it’s worth asking whether 12 of his first 15 touches should have been handballs.
Rating: 7
Bradley Hill (STK)
The Saints veteran bobbed up all over the field, and had his first goal late in the second quarter when the visitors had regained the ascendancy. Continued to run hard and finished with 26 disposals and 457 metres gained.
Rating: 7
Darcy Cameron (COL)
The athletic big man gave his team early momentum with strong taps forward. Had a fascinating battle with Gawn and Xerri and finished with 15 touches and 17 hit-outs.
Rating: 7
Sam Taylor (GWS)
The key Giants defender was solid through the first half despite having only a handful of touches. But his evening ended with a hamstring issue.
Rating: 6
Lawson Humphries (GEE)
The young Cat had the job on Greene, and conceded a free kick which gifted his opponent an early goal. Continued to work hard, his fresh legs burning off Daicos in the final term with a slick pass to Hogan, as WA rallied.
Rating: 6.5
Mitch Georgiades (PA)
The Power forward worked hard to inject himself in the game but was goalless to half-time. But his night ended with a sore hamstring, and he did not take to the field after half-time.
Rating: 6
Jesse Hogan won the Graham Moss Medal as WA’s best player.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
Jesse Hogan (GWS)
Gave WA hope with three goals in the last quarter, when the veteran forward dominated inside attacking 50 to deserve the Graham Moss Medal as WA’s best afield. That he moved well was a boost for Giants fans after his foot issues late last year. Had the perfect start to the game when he outmarked Weitering on the goal line and booted the second goal of the night.
Rating: 9
Charlie Cameron (BRI)
The Lions star delivered one of the goals of the evening when Aaron Naughton stripped Butters of the ball in the centre square, which allowed Cameron to dash inside attacking 50. Capitalised again in the second term with a left-foot snap, and ignited the crowd in the final term with a lovely snap from half forward.
Rating: 7.5
Trent Rivers (MEL)
The Demons midfielder found plenty of the ball, finishing with 24 disposals and 500 metres gained.
Rating: 8
Wil Powell (GCS)
Had his neck bent when Greene accidentally landed awkwardly on him in the second term. Was taken from the field, but returned. Sent into the midfield in the third term and had an impact with his strong kicking.
Rating: 6
Aaron Naughton (WB)
The Bulldogs forward struggled to have an impact, and was the most disappointing player afield. He finished goalless, with only eight touches and two marks. On a night WA needed the “Astronaut” to take flight, he remained grounded.
Rating: 3.5
Nathan Broad (RIC)
The veteran Tiger was solid at half-back, although he was beaten in a one-on-one contest with Dangerfield with 13 minutes remaining which led to a goal to the Cat.
Rating: 6.5
Kysaiah Pickett (MEL)
The Demons’ match-winner was a surprise starter at the opening ball up, and delivered his usual line-breaking run. However, he had two set shots for goal in the third term he would want back.
Rating: 6.5
Tom Barrass (HAW)
The former Eagle was one of his state’s best, clearly enjoying playing on his one-time home patch. There was a typically courageous moment in the third term with an intercept mark despite knowing he could be in danger. Indeed, Dangerfield was bearing down.
Rating: 7
Tim English (WB)
The big Bulldog lifted in the ruck in the second term by giving his midfielders first use of the ball. Could have had more impact around the ground.
Rating: 5
Jake Waterman kicks a goal.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
Jake Waterman (WCE)
Provided moments of inspiration. Following in the footsteps of his WA-representative father, Waterman did not have much opportunity early, but a booming set shot in the second term closed the deficit to 15 points. A strong mark and goal in the third kept his side in the contest, and he was soon involved in another.
Rating: 7.5
Liam Baker (WCE)
Rating:
Had the initial job on Butters at half-back. Ran hard all night and finished with 23 disposals and 444 metres gained.
