AFL Grand Final player ratings: Dustin Martin and Bachar Houli shine, Toby Greene, Phil Davis flop
While the Giants’ big names failed to turn up, all of Richmond’s stars played their role in a stunning Grand Final win, including one who put an end to an over-used description once and for all.
Richmond
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Richmond have confirmed its new dynasty, crushing GWS by 89 points in the most-lopsided AFL grand final in 12 years.
The 17.12 (114) to 3.7 (25) thrashing at the MCG gives the Tigers their second flag in three years and confirms coach Damien Hardwick’s men as the latest AFL pacesetters.
Our team at the MCG runs the rule over how each player performed.
So who shone and who flopped on the big stage?
RICHMOND
DAVID ASTBURY 7
Once stung by a stingray, he gave GWS a serious sting of his own. Wore Jeremy Finalyson like a glove, holding him touchless in the first half.
LIAM BAKER 5
Baked a couple of GWS opponents with his speed off half-back. Didn’t have huge disposal numbers, but played his role.
NATHAN BROAD 6
A thorn in the side of the Giants with some of his intercept possessions early. The third-last player selected in his draft and remains underrated.
DYLAN GRIMES 8.5
They might need to erect a statue of this bloke at Punt Rd Oval. As solid as ever in defence, primarily playing on Jeremy Cameron.
BACHAR HOULI 9
Essendon let him get to Richmond for free at the end of 2010. GWS let him roam free across half-back for much of the game.
NICK VLASTUIN 8
Premiership beard or not, the Tigers’ interceptor delivered. Picked off the Giants’ inside-50 entries like a seasoned Goulburn Valley fruit picker.
JAYDEN SHORT 7
Missed the 2017 Grand Final after being named an emergency. Set off the sirens at times in the GWS coaching box with his rebound from halfback.
SHAI BOLTON 6.5
Had flashes of his trademark speed and flair and had more guts than brains at times, but he just makes it work. Definitely wasn’t overawed in his first Grand Final experience and finished with a goal.
BRANDON ELLIS 6
Didn’t get plenty of it in what is likely to be his last game as a Tiger, but showed pace and proved reliable despite a couple of turnovers.
DION PRESTIA 8
Capped a brilliant finals series with another blistering ballwinning performance. Had de Boer riding him early but shrugged off the attention to be one of the Tigers’ highest possession-getters, yet again.
JOSH CADDY 7
From out of favour and to the VFL to a two-time premiership player on his 27th birthday. Reflective of the Richmond team ethos – unselfish with two goal assists and the tough task on Tim Taranto.
TOBY NANKERVIS 7
Marks, tackles, contested ball and hitouts. You can’t ask for much more than that from a ruckman and Nankervis brought the quadrella in typical unassuming style.
SHANE EDWARDS 8
OK – this is the moratorium. This bloke is never to be referred to as underrated ever again. Shook off Matt de Boer and gobbled up contested possessions like a Saturday afternoon snack.
DUSTIN MARTIN 9.5
The biggest player on the biggest stage. He was mostly forward to turn on a performance for the ages to take home another Norm for the collection. Watch out, Melbourne.
IVAN SOLDO 7
First Ivan Maric did it with a mullet and now another Ivan has done it with that mo. The aspiring cartoonist hasn’t even played 100 games of Australian rules – total – but penned himself into Richmond’s history with a really solid day. A cult hero.
DANIEL RIOLI 7
Put up the “44” for cousin Willie Rioli when he nailed a 50m goal on the quarter-time siren that deflated GWS. September is sweeter with a Rioli rolling around.
TRENT COTCHIN 6
Remember Jarryd Roughead’s bone-crunching tackle on Dan Hannebery that set the tone in 2014? Well, Cotch’s whack on Shane Mumford early yesterday was from the same playbook.
KANE LAMBERT 7
Lambert’s tackle set up Richmond’s first goal and he then ignited the party with his own goal in the premiership quarter. Can you believe he was overlooked 836 times at draft after draft after draft?
JASON CASTAGNA 6
Borrowed Travis Cloke’s radar and Adam Saad’s leg-speed. Couldn’t hit the side of a barn but fired plenty of shots. One of the better goalless Grand Finals by a forward.
TOM LYNCH 6
Made a call Greta Thunberg would’ve been proud of by choosing the Tigers over Collingwood and Hawthorn last year. What are his old Gold Coast teammates thinking? Get out?
JACK RIEWOLDT 8
Ripped the Grand Final open like a bag of potato chips with three goals in the second term. Clutched daughter Poppy, who was born at the start of the season, on the siren. Boy, won’t cousin Nick be jealous of Jack’s medals at Christmas?
MARLION PICKETT 8.5
The debutant was a little bit stiff to not take Norm home. But that’s three medals – VFL and AFL premierships and a Norm Goss – in six days. Blind turn a Grand Final moment for the ages. Tiger life membership after one game?
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GWS GIANTS
ZAC WILLIAMS 5
Turned it on on the MCG last week but couldn’t replicate his brilliance. Like many of his teammates, showed some class early and had his chances but wasn’t able to take them.
JOSH KELLY 4
Very quiet by his usual standards. Ran with Tigers bolter Marlion Pickett at times but struggled to have an influence of his own. Troubled by back or hamstring issues in the second half that further hampered him.
LACHIE WHITFIELD 4
His preparation was hampered by emergency appendix injury and he came in three kilos lighter and appeared to still be affected, particularly on his right side. A shame after such a brilliant year.
SHANE MUMFORD 1
One to forget for the big man. They needed his physicality at the very least but finished as the only player on the ground to notch zero metres gained for the day. Just one tackle to match his rating score.
TIM TARANTO 8
Racked up 11 touches in the second term as the Giants were rattled. Had class in spades but little support once he got it out.
MATT DE BOER 4
Had been the focus of the week but could do little to stop the Richmond midfield having its day in the sun – literally and figuratively. Dusty, Prestia and Edwards were all in his sights at stages but he left without a scalp.
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JACOB HOPPER 7
Looked promising early and spent most of his time on Tigers skipper Trent Cotchin. Appeared to knock his right knee just before half time in a shepherd on Shane Edwards before he broke the Giants’ 59-minute scoring drought.
NICK HAYNES 7.5
No Hollywood ending to the GWS documentary he’s producing. But the blond bombshell took home a record – 15 marks in a Grand Final.
PHIL DAVIS 2
Passed a pre-match fitness test and probably wishes he didn’t. If he was a race horse at Flemington he would’ve been scratched, and that’s because he covered the ground like a turtle.
AIDAN CORR 5
Stood Tom Lynch for 88 minutes and only conceded two goals.
ADAM KENNEDY 3
Was given the role on Kane Lambert and finished a dirty day with five kicks. A foundation Giant who has 115 games … but would you recognise him?
SAM TAYLOR 5
The kid with the golden fist started with golden hands. The game might’ve turned to coal for GWS but this is a diamond of a young defender.
HEATH SHAW 6
Would’ve been $1.05 to retire after a premiership, so the silver lining for footy fans is they should get another 12 months out of one of the game’s best characters.
ADAM TOMLINSON 4
Should Melbourne rethink its generous long-term offer for this free agent, who was dropped three weeks ago and would’ve been earlier if GWS had a healthy list?
SAM J. REID 3
Didn’t do a lot. Should have had some more celery juice.
JEREMY CAMERON 2
Had kicked 10.9 from two games against the Tigers during the home-and-away season, but went M.I.A after booting the first goal of the game.
HARRY PERRYMAN 6
Far from the Giants’ worst, but didn’t do much damage with his disposals.
HARRY HIMMELBERG 5
The man with the bun caught a few in the bread basket but didn’t have much scoreboard impact until a junk-time final quarter goal.
JEREMY FINLAYSON 1
Was rated the third-best key forward in the competition by Champion Data this year, but wasn’t in the best dozen forwards on the ground in the big dance.
BRENT DANIELS 5
Kicked match-winner in semi-final against Brisbane, but the second-shortest player in the AFL came up well short of a match-winning Grand Final performance.
DANIEL LLOYD 4
Described as the ultimate team man, but didn’t stand up enough when his team needed him.
TOBY GREENE 3
The Giant villain wasn’t able to put his hero cape on and lead his side to victory. Goal-less and could have salt added to the wounds with some match review strife.
Originally published as AFL Grand Final player ratings: Dustin Martin and Bachar Houli shine, Toby Greene, Phil Davis flop