Throughout the 2026 AFL Finals series, Zero Hanger will rank the game of each player based on their impact on the result.
Western Bulldogs led for the majority of the contest, with both sides bring fierce pressure but the Dogs largely getting on top in the midfield.
Nick Daicos and Marcus Bontempelli both had marvellous moments but both sides relied on several less heralded names to remain competitive throughout.
1 - Marcus Bontempelli: Was at his unbelievable best, save for some misses in front of goal. Lifted with the increased pressure, with his highlight a centre clearance which set up an Aaron Naughton goal just after the Pies had gained the lead.
2 - Matt Kennedy: A key component of Western Bulldogs' dominance in the midfield, and his pressure was high. The Dogs' barometer. His 30-metre dart through the middle of the ground in the last quarter deserved to result in a goal.
3 - Arty Jones: The livewire may not be at Western Bulldogs next year but brought frenetic pressure and was a key to the Dogs' scoring. Bought the Dogs a goal from nothing in the last quarter.
4 - Dan McStay: His marking inside 50 kept the Magpies in it through the middle stages. Continued his hot home and away form and reliable goal-kicking.
5 - Aaron Naughton: Did not look hampered by the injury he came in carrying, getting the better of Billy Frampton and taking some important mark. Played a big role in the first two Dogs goals.
6 - Nick Daicos: Had some uncharacteristic skill errors, but his goal kicking and game breaking ability was on full effect. Was absolutely everywhere and worked hard all night with his burst speed a key feature.
7 - Sam Swadling: Was composed in his first final, with 12 touches in the first quarter setting the foundation for a brilliant game where he was clean and looked at home under the highest pressure.
8 - Ed Richards: Ed Allan went to him at stoppages early but that didn't stop him. His goal from nothing in the last quarter came just when the Dogs needed it.
9 - Beau McCreery: The move into the midfield has proven to be a masterstroke. His speed and difficulty to tackle, coupled with his pressure, makes him a tough matchup. Set up plenty of dangerous counterattack.
10 - Joel Freijah: Was a step below his absolute best but no-one had more than his eight clearances and was usually clean in the clinches.
11 - Rhylee West: Produced arguably the highlight of the game, a centre clearance which hit up Aaron Naughton lace out inside 50. Was a physical forward half threat.
12 - Bailey Williams: Took some big marks and won most of his one-on-ones and intercepted excellently.
13 - Bailey Dale: The defensive spark plug wanted the ball in his hands and set up plenty of counterattack even if a touch below his absolute best. A poor skill error in the last minute was fortunate not to impact the result.
14 - Ryley Sanders: Worked hard all night, showed great composure, particularly forward of the footy, and probably should have won a holding the ball free kick for a tackle on Patrick Lipinski.
15 - Josh Daicos: Generated plenty of transition and gave Collingwood plenty of looks.
16 - Buku Khamis - Was enormous, particularly in the first half with his positioning and decision-making about when to defend and when to peel off. The stats don't do his game justice.
17 - Tim English: Had some moments he would like back but set up Western Bulldogs' midfield ascendancy they had for much of the night.
18 - Darcy Cameron: Won more hitouts than his opponent and kicked an important last quarter goal, but the Dogs won the midfield battle.
19 - Isaac Quaynor: Played above his height, and needed to. Took some big marks and put his body on the line. Did not look like he had missed a beat despite missing the last fortnight.
20 - Jack Crisp: Swooped on plenty of loose balls in defensive 50 and put his body on the line in an important first quarter contest. Gave Collingwood the lead late in the last quarter with a centre clearance goal from 50.
21 - Pat Lipinski: Found plenty of the footy but turned it over early and would have liked to have impacted a touch more.
22 - Roan Steele: Was clean and played with a hint of aggression. Saved a goal by holding his width on the wing and ran hard both ways.
23 - Jordan De Goey: Won the first centre clearance in each of the first two quarters and had some damaging moments but was below what we know he can produce in September.
24 - Angus Anderson: Wasn't his night and looked off the pace early but then kicked two goals in the last quarter to draw the Pies to within a point, including a pearler from 60.
25 - Lachie Schultz: Threw himself around. Built for September. Not a huge numbers game but his physicality helped teammates immensely.
26 - Cooper Hynes: Had the fumbles and looked off early but warmed into it and contributed well.
27 - Ed Allan: Allan's kick to Angus Anderson's advantage in the last quarter was marvellous. Worked hard all night around contest.
28 - Lachie Bramble: A half volley pickup in the second quarter was remarkable and was generally efficient from his opportunities.
29 - Cody Weightman: Was not a huge night but still contributed with two goals, including a crucial set shot in the last quarter when the Dogs' radar was off.
30 - Tim Membrey: Kicked what at the time looked the decisive set shot goal which put Collingwood in front before not being able to convert after the siren. A quiet first three quarters.
31 - Jeremy Howe: Cut the angles and won trademark defensive contests as has become customary for the veteran defender. Lost his shoe at a horrible time and had a bad error in defensive 50 in the last quarter.
32 - Sam Davidson: Had a few moments, including setting up a Cody Weightman goal in the last quarter.
33 - Ned Long: His smarts helped set up Collingwood's last goal and he also kicked a crucial soccer goal against the grain. Always gives 100 per cent.
34 - Billy Frampton: Won some key contests but was beaten by Naughton and a holding the ball free kick against did not help. Gets extra marks for a goal-saving tackle in the last quarter.
35 - Michael Sellwood: A quiet night for the defender but played his role.
36 - James O'Donnell: Was beaten overall by Dan McStay but still had some important defensive moments.
37 - Dan Houston: Had a poor first half but did have a couple of important moments in the second half. The Pies still needed more from their former All Australian defender.
38 - Steele Sidebottom: Played a couple of different roles and was mostly unsighted in the first half but seized his moments as the match wore on and took an important intercept mark in the last quarter.
39 - Charlie West: Was not West's best night and fumbled a crucial loose ball in the last quarterbut still competed well, often bringing it to ground and sometimes when outnumbered.
40 - Rory Lobb: Was not Lobb's night. Had a set shot in the last quarter which he missed and struggled to impact with his usual aerial venom.
41 - Luke Kennedy: The highlight of his night came in the last quarter, a holding the ball free kick against Jordan De Goey, but was otherwise relatively quiet.
42 - Harvey Harrison: You can never question Harrison's intent or willingness to work which set up teammates at times and locked the ball in.
43 - Josh Dolan: Missed two early shots on goals but rebounded well to have a couple of moments on a quiet night.
44 - Connor Budarick: Quieter night offensively but had some one-on-one wins.
45 - Will Hayes: A quiet night for the livewire. Had a clean moment which helped Collingwood go forward late.
46 - Ryan Gardner: Took until midway through the third quarter to come on and hardly played. An insurance player in case of injury to the hampered Naughton or English.
