Lance Franklin ranked No.1 player in AFL Grand Final ahead of Marcus Bontempelli
LAST year Eagle Josh Kennedy entered the Grand Final ranked No.1 and finished it as No.43. This year it’s Lance Franklin and if he fires, look out Dogs.
Jon Ralph
Don't miss out on the headlines from Jon Ralph. Followed categories will be added to My News.
LAST year Eagle Josh Kennedy entered the Grand Final ranked No.1 and finished it as No.43.
This year it’s Lance Franklin, the Sydney Swans superstar and spearhead. If he fires, it will make Sydney’s task of winning the 2016 Grand Final much easier.
Not far behind is the Bulldogs’ rising superstar Marcus Bontempelli. When he fires, he brings the Dogs with him and the midfield battle will be crucial to Saturday’s result.
We rank how important every player is to their side’s chances of victory.
GRAND FINAL TEAMS: SUCKLING MISSES OUT, MCVEIGH, MILLS IN
BIG HEART: DOGS WON’T BOW-WOW TO PAST: DANIEL
BIG DANCE: HERALD SUN EXPERT’S GRAND FINAL TIPS
1. LANCE FRANKLIN (Sydney)
Has kicked 18 goals from his last five finals including four in the 2014 loss. So rarely Big Bud fails to fire on the code’s biggest day.
2. MARCUS BONTEMPELLI (Bulldogs)
Has already found retribution for last year’s finals misses with two clutch goals in as many weeks. The silk in a tough-as-nails midfield.
3. JOSH KENNEDY (Sydney)
Sydney’s inside bull is averaging 32 touches in the finals. Plus 12 tackles and 15 clearances in the past fortnight. Lives at the coal face.
4. TOM LIBERATORE (Bulldogs)
Three big finals, was charging hard at the death last week as he set up Macrae’s winning goal. Needs to butt heads and win in close against Kennedy and Co.
5. JASON JOHANNISEN (Bulldogs)
Yes, it’s high for JJ but he is peaking. Can help power Dogs home after surviving early heat. Gained 362 metres in last term alone against GWS.
RIDE THE WAVE: BEVO WON’T PUT LEASH ON DOGS’ EMOTION
DOGS SPEEDSTER: MACCA DESERVES CREDIT FOR DOGS RUN: JJ
CLUB MATRIARCH: EMOTIONAL ALBERTI WANTS WIN FOR FANS
6. LUKE PARKER (Sydney)
His absence from last year’s finals cruelled Sydney’s chances. One of only three players who average 25 touches and a goal this year.
7. LIAM PICKEN (Bulldogs)
A colossus in the finals. Plays in the down-and-dirty spirit of EJ. Can he fire again? Has five finals goals to go with 23 disposals a game.
8. DAN HANNEBERY (Sydney)
The only midfielder in the comp to be ranked elite for his inside and outside play. Could have won Normie in 2012. A finals jet.
9. JACK MACRAE (Bulldogs)
Made a strong comeback in the Eagles win, then massive in two finals including the match-winner v GWS. Finishes inside grunt work. My Norm Smith pick.
10. DANE RAMPE (Sydney)
What a player. The Swans No.1 interceptor (ranked No.2 in the league) plays on the stars as well as being the reliable backstop. Got Stringer in Round 15.
11. LUKE DAHLHAUS (Bulldogs)
The dreadlocked grommet has grown into a complete player after four super finals in a row. Plays like his life depends on the next contest.
12. TORY DICKSON (Bulldogs)
He is Captain Conventional to Jake Stringer’s Mr Mayhem. With 13 goals in his last 5 games he is the Dogs best avenue to goal.
13. JOEL HAMLING (Bulldogs)
A Dogs foot soldier whose performance will play a huge role on Saturday. Likely to get Buddy. Solid despite a handful of nervous moments against GWS.
14. KURT TIPPETT (Sydney)
The big boy erupted against Geelong with key early clearances and his first two goals since Round 9. If he and Buddy catch fire together, good luck Doggies.
15. TOM MITCHELL (Sydney)
Torched Geelong with his polished inside work and with three strong finals. The last game in Sydney for the fifth Beatle before a move to Hawthorn?
16. EASTON WOOD (Bulldogs)
Will need to repel the Swans quicksilver forward thrusts with his aerial dominance, after three intercept marks alone in the first quarter against GWS.
17. JAKE STRINGER (Bulldogs)
Yet to tear a final apart despite a cameo against Hawthorn. Great players earn that reputation in big finals. This is his moment.
18. ISAAC HEENEY (Sydney)
Another big Normie chance for the eye-catching forward who has moved up to a wing and yet still kicked goals in his past two games. Unflappable, hands of steel.
19. JORDAN ROUGHEAD (Bulldogs)
At 25, he has finally addressed the Dogs missing link as a ruckman with presence and a nose for goal. Will his eye issues affect his confidence?
20. KIEREN JACK (Sydney)
Matched career-high 13 tackles last week. The family dramas are drawing headlines but the footy is as usual: consistent, dogged, critically important to his team.
21. CLAY SMITH (Bulldogs)
So much more than a Doggies scrapper, with elite tackle numbers and nine goals in his past four weeks. 27 finals tackles as a forward. Remarkable.
22. GARY ROHAN (Sydney)
The ultimate feast-or-famine player. Has only kicked a goal in 11 games, but eight of those times kicked multiples. Can atone for disastrous 2014 Grand Final.
23. MATTHEW BOYD (Bulldogs)
The All-Australian could retire in a blaze of glory if he can help compose the Dogs backline. Has barely wasted one of his 626 touches this year.
24. LACHIE HUNTER (Bulldogs)
A stunning breakout year with exactly 700 disposals can turn into something epic. Can he go over 30 touches for the 10th time?
25. JARRAD McVEIGH (Sydney)
Critical for his on-field coaching and leadership as much as his unflappable nature and clean disposal from defence
26. SAM NAISMITH (Sydney)
Mummy Mark II, after the kid from Gunnedah dropped 20kg to become a ruck weapon for the Swans. The Swans can finally rove to a winning hitout.
27. TOM PAPLEY (Sydney)
The former Bunyip plumber has kicked nine goals by a simple rule as a crumber: he just keeps getting to where the footy is about to be.
28. HEATH GRUNDY (Sydney)
Mr Reliable might get Tom Boyd with a bit of Roughead. What a year — elite for both intercept marks and possessions plus great stopping jobs.
29. TOM BOYD (Bulldogs)
Is changing supporter perceptions by the week. Finally giving everything he has. Rucked valiantly with a career-high 21 hit-outs against GWS.
30. CALLUM MILLS (Sydney)
The Rising Star comes back after three weeks out. But he won’t be able to play within himself chasing around Dahlhaus or Picken.
31. ZAK JONES (Sydney)
Can be a Swans game-breaker. A game-high 708 metres gained in the prelim. Flint-hard, never shirks and a long booming kick. Watch this space.
32. BEN McGLYNN (Sydney)
Turned it on early against the Cats. Elite pressure and a goal sneak. The Mighty Mouse can roar by 6pm Saturday after missing out in 2012.
33. NICK SMITH (Sydney)
Those sleepless nights before his Cyril Rioli match-ups will be eased by the lack of a perfect match-up. But will need his wits against Picken and Dahlhaus.
34. CALEB DANIEL (Bulldogs)
Uncharacteristic fumbles early against GWS but he roared home with key late touches. His poise is critical on a day where many lose their heads.
35. DALE MORRIS (Bulldogs)
He hasn’t taken the big dogs this year so Buddy match-up is unlikely. Has lost seven of his 57 one-on-ones. An elite intercept mark.
36. JOSH DUNKLEY (Bulldogs)
Wow. 12 score involvements against Hawthorn then 13 against GWS. Like his old man not perfectly polished but can cap the perfect debut year.
37. TOBY McLEAN (Bulldogs)
Keeping Ling Jong out after two cracking finals (21 and 20 possessions). A busy half-forward who came up big against GWS late.
38. SHANE BIGGS (Bulldogs)
The ex-Sydney defender has played 33 games in a row, averaging 21 touches and 382 metres this year. Unobtrusive but trustworthy.
39. JEREMY LAIDLIER (Sydney)
The Swan Mick Malthouse rejected is an elite intercept marker who is typical Sydney: no fuss, play your role, contribute to the team.
40. XAVIER RICHARDS (Sydney)
Came in on the same day his brother was dropped. With 13 goals in nine games he is underrated, averaging six marks, six score involvements a game.
41. JAKE LLOYD (Sydney)
Has assembled a solid, totally unobtrusive year playing every game and averaging 26 touches and seven rebound 50s in three finals.
42. ZAINE CORDY (Bulldogs)
Rebounded from his mid-year AFL ban to execute roles in three finals, keeping McGovern and Gibson quiet then crumbing two clever goals against GWS.
43. FLETCHER ROBERTS (Bulldogs)
Barely put a foot wrong in second half of year. Great on Jeremy Cameron last week, limited guns including Tom Hawkins, Joe Daniher and Matthew Pavlich. Deserves his spot.
44. GEORGE HEWETT (Sydney)
Great year but only a single goal in the finals. Nine tackles last week for the Prince Alfred’s College scrapper
Buddy, Gaz, Dusty? The 10 best AFL players this century ranked
Think naming the team of the century was hard? Jon Ralph and Glenn McFarlane have narrowed that down to 10 and determined the defining player of the 21st century. HAVE YOUR SAY.
Ralph: Clubs need to ‘move with the times’ and end Mad Mondays
Six players and an umpire have been suspended across two post-season celebrations for offensive costumes in the past month. JON RALPH writes clubs and the AFL needs to ban them.