Mick McGuane: Every player ranked 1-44 ahead of Geelong v Brisbane preliminary final
Every player in the Cats v Lions preliminary final has a role to play, but how important are they? Mick McGuane ranks every player from 1-44.
AFL
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Ahead of Friday night’s blockbuster preliminary final between Geelong and Brisbane, AFL analyst Mick McGuane has ranked every player from 1 to 44.
The rankings are based on each player’s output across both the home-and-away rounds and finals series this year, and the impact that McGuane predicts they could have on this game.
The expected team line-ups for the match have been used, but final teams will be named on Thursday evening.
1. Lachie Neale (Brisbane)
Arguably the competition’s best midfielder, he does it all. Neale wins contested ball, is the Lions’ best clearance player and is a great decision maker. He is in stellar form. Question is, will Chris Scott send a tag to him in the form of Tom Atkins or Mark O’Connor?
2. Tom Stewart (Geelong)
The best defender in the competition. Stewart will have a huge say on this result with his intercept ability and ball use. Cutting off supply will be key against a strong territory team in Brisbane.
3. Jeremy Cameron (Geelong)
The most aerobic and agile key forward going around. Cameron clearly knows where the goals are and also ranks elite for score assists.
4. Hugh McCluggage (Brisbane)
Can play inside and outside through the midfield. He will give the Geelong midfielders some serious headaches with his power running.
5. Cam Guthrie (Geelong)
A hugely underrated midfielder. He does a lot of defensive work that’s unseen but also knows how to win the ball in tight and break away with speed.
6. Mark Blicavs (Geelong)
Geelong’s Mr Fix It. We will see him used in a variety of roles, all to huge effect. He could start back or on a wing and will serve as a mobile ruckman at some stage.
7. Daniel Rich (Brisbane)
The Lions’ offensive weapon out of the defensive end. He will set up many attacking forays from defensive 50 with his attacking and penetrating kick.
8. Joel Selwood (Geelong)
Never underestimate this experienced finals warrior. I’m pretty sure we’ll see him play more than 66 per cent game time this time around. Selwood will lead from the front as he always does in September.
9. Dayne Zorko (Brisbane)
The Lions skipper adds energy and speed to the front half but can also be used in defence if needed. His leadership in last week’s semi-final win over Melbourne was huge.
10. Tom Hawkins (Geelong)
He’s had a really good year and he’s a proud person who wouldn’t want to have two bad finals in a row. Harris Andrews will go to him this week in a match-up that will have a huge say in proceedings.
11. Mitch Duncan (Geelong)
An experienced wise head who is the Cats’ best ball user. If allowed to roam unmanned, he will do some serious damage.
12. Charlie Cameron (Brisbane)
Will likely get Jake Kolodjashnij as an opponent deep forward. His intent to get up the ground and race back will be where he can have serious impact. He needs a big game for the Lions to win.
13. Zac Bailey (Brisbane)
Forward-mid who oozes class and can cause serious mayhem from limited opportunities. Is a player who can boot four goals from minimal disposals.
14. Tom Atkins (Geelong)
Made of granite which means he is made for finals. His performance in the qualifying final was off the charts. One of the competition’s most improved players.
15. Jarrod Berry (Brisbane)
Forget about being an outside winger. Put him where the action is, just like we witnessed in his battle with Clayton Oliver in the second half last week. Can he reproduced that output for four quarters?
16. Oscar McInerney (Brisbane)
The ruckman must give his midfielders first use and must follow up his ruck work at ground level to influence the loose ball. He will also need to work hard defensively if his opposing ruckman spits forward.
17. Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong)
A message for Paddy: Keep your feet and stop going to ground. At some stage he’s going to impact the game because of his hardness, which is a prerequisite for a preliminary final.
18. Harris Andrews (Brisbane)
The backman must control Hawkins and have a huge 1 per cent return. His spoiling and one-on-one contests must be spot on. He’s been questioned at various stages this year but the Lions need him to stand up.
19. Isaac Smith (Geelong)
His experience and his gut-running will be invaluable, particularly if the game opens up. He can be an 80m player with his run, carry and penetration if given the opportunity.
20. Zach Tuohy (Geelong)
Has had a solid year and is trusted because of his versatility. He’s such a good kick and quality kicks like him can break games open in finals.
21. Sam De Koning (Geelong)
A big challenge for the youngster, who will look to curtail the confident Eric Hipwood. But it’s a task that I think he can master.
22. Keidean Coleman (Brisbane)
Like Rich, he will need to defend strongly as first priority. But once the Lions win back the footy, he can help set up Brisbane’s attacking ball movement.
23. Max Holmes (Geelong)
I love the gut-running and energy he provides in his wing role. He will work up and down the ground as hard as anyone – evidenced by his matchwinning goal against Collingwood in the qualifying final.
24. Eric Hipwood (Brisbane)
It’s going to be an interesting match-up against De Koning. The question for Eric is whether he can follow on from last week’s performance, which was among his best for the year.
25. Tyson Stengle (Geelong)
One of the season’s great stories. However, Stengle would have been left disappointed with his first final against Collingwood. Time for redemption.
26. Dan McStay (Brisbane)
Could be the player to get off the chain in attack, with the Cats’ focus to be on Hipwood and Joe Daniher. McStay may also be freed up to be the mobile ruckman, which would give Geelong something to think about.
27. Brad Close (Geelong)
A very hardworking half-forward that gets reward on the scoreboard. He will add to his 23-goal tally this season if the Lions’ don’t show him enough respect.
28. Zach Guthrie (Geelong)
Emerging in front of our eyes. I love the way he’s developing and going for his contested marks. Guthrie has taken one more contested mark than Tom Stewart this year.
29. Darcy Gardiner (Brisbane)
The likely match-up for Jeremy Cameron. What a monumental task it is to quell the brilliance of Cameron. But if he does, he would shoot up the rankings.
30. Cam Rayner (Brisbane)
Which version are we going to get? The good version of Rayner can have some serious impact as a power forward or an explosive midfielder. But it’s hard to bank on.
31. Gary Rohan (Geelong)
He’s Geelong’s version of Hipwood. Will we see two bumper finals back-to-back? It’s not about goals for Rohan, it’s about the pressure he applies in the forward half.
32. Rhys Stanley (Geelong)
Disappointing against Collingwood in the qualifying final. He must rebound in an aggressive way. Just get physical, Rhys.
33. Jack Henry (Geelong)
Will probably get the job on Daniher. Even though he’s undersized, his athleticism will cause Daniher to think. He’s got the versatility to quell the Lions’ influence.
34. Gryan Miers (Geelong)
An opportunistic forward who, if given space, can hit the scoreboard given his uncanny goal sense.
35. Brandon Starcevich (Brisbane)
Will be required in a number of roles against dangerous Geelong small forwards. Has the mental fortitude and the physical aggression to master any challenge, but he must.
36. Joe Daniher (Brisbane)
Will bring excitement to the team after becoming a father for the first time. In a big game, it’s time to stand up and justify the Lions’ recruitment of him. But that won’t be easy against the meanest defence in the competition.
37. Lincoln McCarthy (Brisbane)
Has played all 24 games this year and kicked 34 goals. But even he would be disappointed with his game last week, which included a couple of half-hearted efforts. Time to respond.
38. Jake Kolodjashnij (Geelong)
Will most likely get the role on Charlie Cameron, who is generally Brisbane’s deepest forward. It will be an important role, especially against the speed of Cameron.
39. Jed Bews (Geelong)
An important role-player as part of Geelong’s back seven. Due to their system, he’ll be matched up against a variety of opponents tall and small.
40. Deven Robertson (Brisbane)
An extra midfielder who can be used as a cooler, especially if someone like Dangerfield or Selwood turns back the clock.
41. Callum Ah Chee (Brisbane)
Has plenty of versatility to play back, forward or even on a wing. Another player who can improve his output given he is averaging only 11.8 disposals a game. We need to see more.
42. Noah Answerth (Brisbane)
A role player who will be used to contain the likes of Stengle, Miers or Close. I love his competitiveness and a preliminary final suits him given his intent to compete.
43. Jack Payne (Brisbane)
He will be required down back to take Stanley if he pushes forward after centre bounce while in the ruck. But he could also find himself on Cameron and Hawkins at stages.
44. Darcy Wilmot (Brisbane)
In just his third game. He’s enjoying the ride and his celebrations last week were something to behold. Great to see a kid exposed to this pointy end of the season.
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