Player Ratings: Lauren Wood and Jon Anderson rate the Melbourne and Hawthorn players
WHO stood tall and who crumbled under the pressure of finals? Key Demons were brilliant while some experienced Hawks had games they’d rather forget. Get every player’s rating here.
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WHO stood tall and who crumbled under the pressure of finals?
Key Demons were brilliant while some experienced Hawks had games they’d rather forget.
Lauren Wood and Jon Anderson have rated all 44 players after Friday’s huge clash.
Leave your own ratings in the comments below.
GAME RECAP: HOW DEES, HAWKS PLAYED OUT
STAT RECAP: WHO STOOD TALL IN DEES, HAWKS?
HAWTHORN
By Lauren Wood
TOM MITCHELL 8
Made very hard work for James Harmes – even with virtually one arm after that crunch from Nev Jetta. Just works so, so hard at the clearance.
JAMES SICILY 7
Took on Jake Melksham and kept him in check until late. Put his nose to the grindstone but was let down a couple of times by others not as efficient as he is.
RICKY HENDERSON 7
Had nice touch and step and saw plenty of the ball. Always works so hard to do his bit.
LIAM SHIELS 6
His attack on Clayton Oliver was fierce – he clearly had a job to do. A costly lazy handball error gave Melbourne a crucial third quarter goal.
JACK GUNSTON 6
His night was summed up in the 23rd minute of the third, when he ran free inside 50 and hit the post. Hawks’ best forward and looked dangerous as they loomed large but struggled to finish.
ISAAC SMITH 6
Lacked his typical run and dash early and then tried in desperation to revive his team with a final quarter goal.
DAVID MIRRA 6
Started with a blitz and was in everything, but like his fellow defenders make some costly decisions.
BEN McEVOY 5
Started well on the All-Australian ruckman but was eventually overworked at the tap. Plays relentless football.
DANIEL HOWE 4
Worked hard but gathered plenty of uncontested ball. Delivered defensively with a handful of handy tackles.
RYAN SCHOENMAKERS 4
A couple of goals and looked dangerous at times, with the Demons struggling to counteract him early.
JARRYD ROUGHEAD 4
Gave his teammates a laugh at the bounce but there was no smiles after that. Threw himself everywhere as he hunted spark and landed a huge goal.
JAMES FRAWLEY 4
Copped plenty from his former club’s supporters as he faced the big task of stopping a superb Tom McDonald.
PAUL PUOPOLO 4
Can turn it around corners. Always provides a flash of something special but had a few costly misses.
HARRY MORRISON 4
His tackle on Jack Viney was vital but that was about it. Can use it well when he gets it, though.
LUKE BREUST 3
Was absolutely pounced on every time he went near it, usually by Jetta. Is so clever but was largely taken out of the contest.
SHAUN BURGOYNE 3
Unlike him. Appeared in flashes but could have had influence the middle, especially in the absence of Jaeger O’Meara.
RYAN BURTON 3
Had plenty of run and presence but seemed panicked a couple of times when it mattered.
TAYLOR DURYEA 3
Came in having not played since Round 17 and struggled when one-on-one. A bit messy at times.
JARMAN IMPEY 3
Committed some turnovers early and, like last week, took a while to get going. Like many Hawks, made some costly errors.
JAMES WORPEL 3
The Geelong product showed great courage and booted an early one but didn’t do much after that with a few clips he won’t want to re-watch.
BLAKE HARDWICK 2
Came in under a cloud and appeared troubled by a leg issue at times. No tackles is never a good stat.
CONOR NASH 2
Had to improve from last week but unfortunately for the Irishman, he had little influence in another hot contest.
MELBOURNE
By Jon Anderson
TOM MCDONALD: 8
The best tall forward on the ground and the key to Melbourne’s win with his accuracy.
JAMES HARMES: 8
Was aided by Mitchell’s shoulder injury but again did his job via huge tackling numbers.
JACK VINEY: 8
Like one of those energiser bunnies, just wind him up and watch him seek and destroy.
MICHAEL HIBBERD: 7
Proved again why he belongs in the best of the running half backs in the game.
CHRISTIAN PETRACCA: 7
No Demon player has more X factor via his power and extra kicking distance.
CLAYTON OLIVER: 7
Was typically in and under but can get better when they try to win the west.
OSCAR MCDONALD: 7
If he can reproduce the same form against the Eagles’ key forwards then a GF is possible.
CHARLIE SPARGO: 7
When the game was really hot in the third quarter, this hard-nosed kid was as good as anyone.
NATHAN JONES: 6
Just another typically hard-working outing for the skipper, even if his influence wasn’t huge.
JAKE MELKSHAM: 6
For three quarters was poor to fair but came alight late which is the nature of his position.
CHRISTIAN SALEM: 6
His outside run and disposal was again so important. A smooth mover.
BAYLEY FRITSCH: 6
Just another important step in what has been a stunning journey.
ANGUS BRAYSHAW: 6
Down on his normally high numbers but kicked two goals, one at a crucial time.
SAM WEIDEMAN: 5
May not have been as dominant as last week but the club would be happy with his output.
MAX GAWN: 5
Thought his influence was well down on most of his season but was still serviceable.
SAM FROST: 5
Seen as exploitable going into the finals but has more than justified his spot to date.
NEVILLE JETTA: 5
Not huge numbers but didn’t get hurt offensively. Massive role next week.
MITCH HANNAN: 5
His third quarter goal was vital but more is required next week.
JORDAN LEWIS: 5
Could it be that he gets the last laugh on a coach who deemed him expendable? Fair rather than good
AARON VANDENBERG: 5
A blue-collar worker who makes up for what he lacks in class with honest effort.
ALEX NEAL-BULLEN: 4
Was OK and kicked a good goal but will be hoping for more of it next week.
DOM TYSON: 4
Doesn’t get the high numbers of his early days with his transition to a role player.
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