How the Crows players rated in the Grand Final

WHO starred and who stunk? How we rated the Adelaide Crows players in the 2017 Grand Final.

• Gallery: A not so Grand Final for Crows fans
• Match report: Dream ends in tears
• Rucci’s verdict: They froze on the big stage
• Fans’ fury at umpire’s blunder
• The fans: Dejected supporters can still hold their heads high

WHO starred and who stunk? How we rated the Adelaide Crows players in the 2017 Grand Final.

5 BRAD CROUCH

Extremely busy from early on. Made some mistakes in heavy traffic but worked hard to overturn them. Was rushed and struggled to find room but played with desperation.

2 RILEY KNIGHT

Took a long time to get himself into the game and the ball didn’t seem to bounce his way. Like the rest of the forward line, he had a long time against Richmond’s impressive backline.

Josh Jenkins gets tackled by Nathan Broad. Picture: Alex Coppel

2 JOSH JENKINS

Had no impact in the first half other than giving ruckman Sam Jacobs a little bit of relief with his pinch-hit rucking. Missed an important shot late in the third quarter. Not his day.

6 JAKE LEVER

Dependable and cool under pressure. Delivered well can covered long distances with his run. Was consistently under the pump and one of the few Crows that didn’t panic when Richmond surged.

4 JAKE KELLY

Did some nice things early and looked comfortable in the big game. Was in the hands of the medicos getting treatment but returned to the ground. Quiet day.

7 RORY SLOANE

Covered every corner of the ground to be the most influential player for his side in the early passages. The Crows’ best player and the one who provided the most resistance during the Tigers’ onslaught.

3 PAUL SEEDSMAN

His long kick helped open up the game to create chances for the Crows. Made a few mistakes but wasn’t the worst. Kept battling but struggled to find any space.

6 DANIEL TALIA

Steady as always, read the ball well and knew when to go for the mark and when to use the punch. Intriguing contests with Jack Riewoldt. Barely made a mistake despite the ball spending so much time in the Crows’ backline.

Crows players Rory Laird, Eddie Betts and Hugh Greenwood trudge off the MCG. Picture: Sarah Reed

3 EDDIE BETTS

Suggested he was in for a busy day after kicking the Crows’ second goal after sharking cleverly from a contest deep in the forward line. Like the rest of the forwards, below par.

3 HUGH GREENWOOD

Showed Darren Jarman-like reflexes and had poise when he kicked the Crows’ fourth after receiving a tap from Sam Jacobs. Quiet after the first quarter.

4 RORY ATKINS

Began in a lively manner with his quick hands and raking left-foot kick. Kept running and trying but his kicking let him down and never found the line-breaking rhythm of the regular season.

4 TAYLOR WALKER

Quiet first quarter and shanked his first shot for goal in the second. Almost invisible in the first half and it didn’t get much better.

4 DAVID MACKAY

Used his speed well and did some nice things under intense pressure but was not one of the most influential players. Looked rushed with the ball in his hand.

5 KYLE HARTIGAN

Looks composed and balanced as he thwarted forward forays from Richmond. Did some really nice things when he battled with Dustin Martin

4 LUKE BROWN

Steady as he read the ball play in the backline and calmly rebounded after warding off the Tigers’ attacks. Struggled to contain Daniel Rioli.

2 ANDY OTTEN

Was showed up when he was playing on All Australian defender Alex Rance. Not his day and gave away free kicks he will not look back on with fondness.

4 CHARLIE CAMERON

Had some lively and exciting moments early and set up what would have been a certain goal had it not been for a rotten bounce. In and out of the game and nowhere near his preliminary form.

Sam Jacobs rucks against Shaun Grigg contest the boundary throw in. Picture: Michael Klein

7 SAM JACOBS

Influential from the first bounce and was also instrumental around the ground. His tap that set up Hugh Greenwood’s goal in the first quarter was a microcosm of his game.

5 RICHARD DOUGLAS

Kept working hard and often found himself at the bottom of packs but couldn’t get on top and never seemed to have enough time or space to adequately set up a play and gain some ground.

4 TOM LYNCH

As always, he was prepared to run his opponents rugged but like fellow forwards Walker and Jenkins had next to no influence.

5 RORY LAIRD

Established himself as one of the game’s most important players when the game was at it’s hottest early in the first quarter. Continued to battle hard and kept trying to break Richmond’s momentum and was one of the best Crows.

7 MATT CROUCH

Continued his stellar year with a high-possession game and was in the thick of it at every stoppage. Like the rest of the Crows’ midfield, never had a winning run or was able to set up the Crows forward line like during the season.

— JESPER FJELDSTAD