The Brisbane Lions fell short in the 2023 AFL grand final but made no mistake of it this time around, putting the Sydney Swans to the sword at the MCG.
The 60-point belting of the minor premiers means the Sydney Swans have now lost their last four grand finals, with some current players taking part in all four of those losses.
Brisbane was sublime when it counted while a host of Swans players left their best games on the team bus.
Here are the players that shone, and the ones that will want to forget about this grand final performance.
Sydney Swans
Isaac Heeney was the best player in the best team all season but turned in a quiet match when it counted on grand final day before finishing the game injured
Dane Rampe – 2
The Swans captain has now lost four grand finals and never looked likely to influence this one. Missed a staggering amount of 1-on-1 contests. A shattering result for one of the Swan’s most loyal servants.
Tom McCartin – 2
Another Swan that was largely unsighted for most of the match.
Nick Blakey – 3
Committed the cardinal sin in footy – not playing to the whistle. Let Hugh McCluggage stroll past him and slot the easiest of goals in a coach-killing play. Then immediately turned the ball over on an attacking raid. Was thrown up forward for the final quarter in a Hail Mary play.
Chad Warner is crunched by Brisbane Lion Cam Rayner in a difficult day for the Swans
Jake Lloyd – 3
Another Swans veteran that will finish his career with the cruel distinction of losing four grand finals. Did little to halt the Lions dominance.
Harry Cunningham – 2
Largely unsighted for most of the contest after securing a spot in his second grand final for the Bloods.
Lewis Melican – 2
Totally outclassed with just six disposals heading into the final quarter with his team being absolutely pumped.
James Jordon – 2
Kicking out on the full when the Swans were desperate for any possession perhaps summed up Sydney’s afternoon. Hopefully the scars of this loss don’t hang around for this young gun playing for his childhood team.
Chad Warner – 1
Has the 23-year-old already got one foot on the plane back home to Western Australia? The club can say what it will, the tug-of-war for the newly minted All Australian between West Coast, Fremantle and Sydney had to have influenced this performance where Warner inexplicably went completely missing.
Oliver Florent – 5
Fought hard for the Swans and was one of the few players to come close to matching their season average but it wasn’t enough to halt the Lion’s momentum at any point.
Luke Parker struggled to get possession as the Lions ran roughshod over the Swans, but did get three goals on the scoreboard in the final quarter
Luke Parker – 3
Didn’t work as a defensive forward, didn’t work on the ball. Expected to land at North Melbourne on a multi-year deal from next season where he will be hoping for a more defined role in the midfield. Got three consolation goals late when it didn’t matter.
Logan McDonald – 0
Came into the match with an ankle injury and did his best impression of The Invisible Man in the first half. Some risks are worth taking for grand finals. This one backfired. Was put out of his misery when subbed out just after halftime with just a single touch to his name.
Errol Gulden – 3
Burst onto the scene in 2024 and was fourth in the Brownlow count, but wilted under the pressure like so many of his teammates. Was more willing to get on the ball which only served to make him look worse, perhaps unfairly, as the turnovers and errors mounted. Will hopefully bounce back.
Tom Papley – 2
Kicked his first goal seconds after coming off the bench, about what you would expect from Papley. Then went completely missing for the rest of the match.
Joel Amartey – 1
Completely starved of possession, finally takes a mark inside 50 at the end of the third quarter and made a complete meal of his shot on goal to try and bring some respectability to the scoreline.
Will Hayward – 2
Toiled hard in the forward 50 for no reward during sustained Sydney attacking raids.
Followers
Former Collingwood star Brodie Grundy was the best on ground for Sydney but very few players went with him
Brodie Grundy – 7
The former Collingwood star is no stranger to the big games and stood tall even as his teammates crumpled around him. One of the only Swans that can hold their head high after this slaughter.
Isaac Heeney – 3
Kept quiet early as the Lions blanketed the Swans star. A miserable day got even worse when the superstar was ruled out of the final quarter through injury. Was still one of the Swans best even when playing under duress, but that is not saying much given the final scoreline.
James Rowbottom – 5
Was one of the few Swans getting things going in the first quarter with five disposals and three clearances. Toiled hard all game but lacked support or targets.
Interchange:
Matthew Roberts – 6
The young midfielder was a rare shining light for the Swans. The 21-year-old has been signed until 2027 and held his own in a blood bath. His best is yet to come, which Sydney fans can hold on to.
Braeden Campbell – 2
Came into the match for the injured Logan McDonald early in the second half. Could not engineer any heroics.
Justin McInerney – 1
The highlight reel of his attempt to be tricky leading to a Brisbane goal at the other end is going to be seriously replayed for some time.
Hayden McLean – 1
Should have given away a 50 metre for walking over the mark, but his actions were missed or ignored. Had a rare shot at goal in the first half after an avalanche of Brisbane inside 50s, but shanked it right.
Robbie Fox – 3
Handed an early Christmas present when Lion’s veteran Dayne Zorko was pinged for a questionable 50 metre, handing Fox a goal right in front of the sticks. Engineered the play of the first half for the Swans only for McLean to miss.
Brisbane Lions
Will Ashcroft tore the Sydney Swans to bits in a dominant midfield performance in the AFL grand final
Charlie Cameron – 7
Busy from the opening whistle and kicked a sideline major like it was effortless. Made a habit of making something out of nothing. Went a bit quiet in the second half but by then it didn’t matter.
Eric Hipwood – 7
The Lions have had the luxury of not requiring huge things from Hipwood, their forward stocks have been so good. The tall timber delivered something big anyway, with a booming goal that really opened up the scoreline.
Zac Bailey – 7
Earned one of the curious moments of the grand final with the crowd singing his name for an extended period. Played all right, too.
Cam Rayner – 6
Copped a knock, took some painkillers, gave a thumbs up and ran back onto the pitch without fuss. Continued his strong run of finals form.
Lions veteran Joe Daniher put in a highly willing performance but was loose with his finishes
Joe Daniher – 8
The veteran wound back the clock with an involved performance and refused to park himself near the goal square. Struggled with his finishing at times, but terrorised the Swans defenders. If he is going to retire, he had his Joel Selwood moment with a final quarter goal that saw his teammates swamp him to celebrate.
Jarrod Berry – 8.5
His workrate and composure played a big role in the Lions first half dominance and he was rewarded with a major of his own to really rub the salt in the wounds.
Jaspa Fletcher – 8
The fact that Fletcher is only 20 is downright scary for Brisbane’s rivals. Another key cog that will be around for many, many more years to come ensuring there is no rebuild happening in Brisbane anytime soon.
Will Ashcroft – 9.5
Struggled defensively against the Sydney midfield zone early but quickly rebounded with 17 disposals by the halftime mark. One of the great grand final performances of all time from the 20-year-old who could enjoy plenty more with a huge career ahead of him. A worthy Norm Smith Medal winner.
The Swans had no answer for Hugh McCluggage who had an enormous finals series for the Lions on their way to a premiership
Hugh McCluggage – 9
Absolutely brilliant in the first half, punishing every Swans mistake and finding another gear after weeks of elite form.
Darcy Wilmot – 7
A strong performance from another one of Brisbane’s young brigades that will look to add even more glory beyond this premiership.
Jack Payne – 7
Overcame a knee injury to put in a willing defensive performance that has become typical from the brick wall.
Ryan Lester – 7
Another one of the old brigade that deserves to finish his career with a premiership medal.
Dayne Zorko – 9
The veteran surrendered a 50 metre that led directly to a goal, but the call was questionable. Delivered one of the finest performances of his career with 26 disposals to well and truly earn the long-awaited premiership.
Harris Andrews – 9
Sydney couldn’t touch him as he tore the Swans midfield to shreds.
Conor McKenna – 5
Limited minutes, but becomes the fourth Irish player to play in and win a AFL Grand Final after Tadhg Kennelly, Zach Tuohy and Mark O’Connor.
Followers
Not many gave Darcy Fort much hope of matching up with Brodie Grundy but the back-up ruckman did not disgrace himself
Darcy Fort – 8
Given the huge task of replacing the injured Oscar McInerney and was tipped to struggle, but held his own against Brodie Grundy.
Josh Dunkley – 8
Did a fantastic job early keeping Isaac Heeney quiet with just a handful of touches in the first quarter.
Lachie Neale – 9
Took a little while to impart himself on the match but when he got going, the veteran quickly showed why he is a Brownlow Medal winner. Now he is a premiership winner as well.
Interchange
Kai Lohmann, 21, is no longer a star of the future for the Brisbane Lions, he is the star of now
Kai Lohmann – 8.5
Injected early and continued his hot streak of form with back-to-back goals, just when Sydney looked like skipping clear. Got his third in the second quarter and showed why he is going to a superstar in the AFL for years to come.
Callum Ah Chee – 8.5
Another player pitched in early when the Lions were in trouble that played a key role in turning things around. Was rewarded with a huge goal in the second quarter that blew the scoreline out. Had a huge finals series and delivered where it counted the most.
Logan Morris – 7
What a moment for the young man. Swamped by teammates as he kicked the Lions sixth consecutive goal to all-but put the match out of reach for the Swans.
Brandon Starcevich – 9
Five intercept marks in a brilliant afternoon in the defensive line. Easily a contender for best on ground and was probably closer to the Norm Smith Medal than some might think.
Noah Answerth – 7
Played his role to perfection and is now a premiership winning player. A great rise to the top from the stoic defender who did job today and wasn’t required to do any more.
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