Throughout the 2026 AFL Finals series, Zero Hanger will rank the game of each player based on their impact on the result.
Melbourne and Carlton played out another finals thriller at the MCG on Saturday night.
Demons young gun Harvey Langford started on fire early, but it was Blues star Sam Walsh who dominated the contest late.
1 - Sam Walsh: This man is made for finals and showed it again on Saturday night. Had 39 disposals and was a physical force for the Blues. Could be on track for another Gary Ayres Award if Carlton's run continues.
2 - Ben Ainsworth: His last two weeks have been special. Booted a game-high three goals and was deadly in the Blues' front half. Has been a great pick up by Carlton.
3 - Jacob Weitering: The definition of a man mountain. Had 10 intercept possessions and was critical in keeping the usually potent Demons to just 55 points. Has given Harrison Petty nightmares for years to come from this performance.
4 - Harvey Langford: A blossoming star. Kicked a beautiful running goal early. Can hold his head up high. He was a star under the big lights of the MCG.
5 - Max Gawn: A Herculean effort from the nine-time All-Australian. Barely left the field and did everything he could to try and inspire his team, but fell short.
6 - Harry Dean: A near identical performance to Weitering's yet he is only 18. Dean is going to be, if not already, a star of the game. Looks like he wouldn't be nervous even in a game of Russian roulette.
7 - Jagga Smith: Asked Melbourne's Jake Bowey "Who are you?" in a bit of biff on the wing before winning the next clearance. Following in the footsteps of Walsh, he is made for the big stage. Kicked two goals and had 29 disposals.
8 - Oliver Hollands: Was important early and during the middle of the game when it was in the balance. Was physical and his gut-running was on show. His two games back since being recalled have been very strong.
9 - Jack Steele: Worked his you know what off all night long. Was part of a Melbourne engine room that struggled to gain ascendancy. Can hold his head high.
10 - Changkuoth Jiath: Was really impressive early with his physicality, speed and intercept marking. Fell off a bit late, but so did all the Demons.
11 - Nick Haynes: Just like Weitering and Dean, Haynes was massive for the Blues. Carlton's defence was extraordinary and Haynes' brave effort after overcoming an ankle concern was a major part of that.
12 - Oliver Florent: His run, dash and creativity has been a game changer for the Blues and was again tonight.
13 - Koltyn Tholstrup: Another who was impressive early and got quieter late. Seems to have found a role as a defender though.
14 - Adam Cerra: Made some blues early, but kept demanding the ball as senior players should and made the most of his opportunities after that. Strong game.
15 - Ed Langdon: Was gut running all night long. Tried to provide the Demons with run and carry, but the forwards weren't able to capitalise.
16 - Marc Pittonet: Got beaten by Gawn, but everybody does. Produced a workhorse performance and did enough in the middle.
17 - Cooper Lord: While not enforcing a strict tag, did throw Pickett off his game and was able to create enough damage on his own.
18 - Lachlan Cowan: Another defender who was a very strong contributor down back for the Blues.
19 - Patrick Cripps: Was ranked much higher early. Had a knee complaint that saw his impact drop off. Will be a watch this week.
20 - George Hewett: Was a gritty and tough performance from Hewett through the midfield.
21 - Harry McKay: Had his moments and kicked two goals. Edged his opponent Daniel Turner in the overall contest.
22 - Daniel Turner: Produced a solid effort against McKay, but the Blue beat him overall with a few contested marks and a couple of goals that arguably should have been more.
23 - Matthew Cottrell: Could have had a much bigger night. Kicked 0.4 but had 20 possessions and was quite prevalent.
24 - Kade Chandler: Tried to provide the Dees with creativity but couldn't use his normal link up play because there were not any dangerous options ahead of the ball.
25 - Trent Rivers: Had some nervy moments early, but overall held up in Melbourne's defence.
26 - Blake Acres: Was busy enough without dominating. Kicked 0.3 so could have had a bigger impact on the scoreboard.
27 - Billy Wilson: Was quieter than usual but was still able to provide some run and drive off half back.
28 - Jake Bowey: Had plenty of the football, but was one of the key contributors to Melbourne bombing everything down the line to Carlton's defenders.
29 - Kysaiah Pickett: A night to forget for the superstar. Had plenty of the football with 18 kicks, but his disposal use was shocking and he kicked 0.3. Did not have the impact Steven King would have wanted.
30 - Brodie Kemp: Could have iced the game late but missed some set shot chances. Still presented well and did enough as a key forward.
31 - Bayley Fritsch: Kicked one goal and was seen around the ground but didn't offer much else.
32 - Francis Evans: Was quieter after kicking five goals last week.
33 - Tom Sparrow: Had a physical game with nine tackles, but only had 10 disposals as a midfielder. Needed more from him.
34 - Xavier Lindsay: Young player and provided a bit of run but was another who at times blazed away down the line.
35 - Xavier Taylor: Quiet, but had some strong moments in defence and looks a player.
36 - Jack Viney: Hard to judge Viney seeing as he played limited game time and it was his first match back this year.
37 - Joel Fitzgerald: First-year player, no judgement, but wasn't impactful.
38 - Caleb Windsor: Melbourne would have loved more from its young speedster.
39 - Mitch McGovern: Quiet night for the Blues key forward.
40 - Harry Sharp: Was everywhere early, for good and bad. Overturned a clear shot at goal for Petty before kicking one of his own. Was rarely seen after though.
41 - Lewis Young: Not much impact from Young.
42 - Bailey Laurie: Kicked a goal early but not spotted after.
43 - Talor Byrne: Definitely felt the pressure of the night. Fumbles and mistakes made, but he is young and kept trying to present.
44 - Jake Melksham: Sad to see Jake the Snake go out this way. Tried to present and kicked 0.3 but it was a quiet night.
45 - Tom McDonald: Like with Melksham, sad to see him go out like this, but had a very quiet night.
46 - Harrison Petty: Had a job to stop Weitering and failed.
