Hawthorn Hawks, Brisbane Lions player ratings after the Lions recorded score a thrilling win at the MCG to reach the 2026 AFL Grand Final against Fremantle. Nick Watson, Hugh McCluggage, Kai Lohmann, Will Ashcroft, Josh Dunkley and Josh Ward were all heavily involved
It’s so often said that September is the time the biggest and best step up most, and Saturday’s thriller at the MCG in front of a shade under 98,000 people was proof of that.
In a match that had nail-biter written all over it, both the Hawks and Lions had their chances, but it was the two-time reigning premiers who did just enough when it mattered most.
The time will come for Sam Mitchell’s group, which is stacked with match-winning talent in its own right, but to be the best, they’ve got to beat the best.
Four-time AFLW premiership player Libby Birch (Hawthorn) and reporter Jon Pierik (Brisbane Lions) run their eye over a preliminary final that will live long in the memory of all who saw it.
Hawthorn
(1) Harry Morrison: Provided good early spread and a reliable outlet on the wing, but faded after half-time and conceded two costly turnovers by foot in the third quarter that handed Brisbane momentum. Huge smother on the boundary with 2 mins to go. 6/10
(2) Mitch Lewis: Set the tone with a strong inside-50 tackle and two first-quarter goals in quick succession, producing a career defining mark in the 4th. 8.5/10
(3) Jai Newcombe: His bump on Lachie Neale at the opening centre clearance appeared to rattle him, and he conceded several early free kicks, before working his way back into the contest. 6/10
(4) Jarman Impey: Had Conor McKenna deployed as a defensive forward on him for much of the night and lacked his usual damaging influence from half-back, although he worked desperately to shift momentum after half-time. A holding the ball call could haunt him forever. 6/10
(5) Nick Watson: Is this just about the best finals performance we have seen? He was elite all game, first in his match-up with Ryan Lester, drawing him high up the ground and repeatedly beating him back towards goal, while kicking the opener with a classic soccer finish from Hawthorn’s first inside 50 and influencing centre clearances as the Harry Potter music fittingly rang out. 10/10
(6) James Sicily: Produced several important early spoils and intercept marks to steady Hawthorn, before Sam Mitchell’s inspired move to the wing and a courageous intercept mark running back with the flight underlined his influence. 7.5/10
(8) Dylan Moore: Started superbly, using his running power to create handball chains down the wing, and remained a consistent connecting presence while trying to lift Hawthorn at every stage of the game with his offensive presence. 9/10
(9) Connor Macdonald: Worked high as a linking half-forward and pushed up to provide coverage around stoppage. 6/10
(10) Karl Amon: Quiet early before his precise ball use came to the fore in the second quarter, but he was unable to stem the influence of the Lions’ small forwards once momentum shifted after half-time. Had a huge moment in the fourth to push the momentum the Hawks’ way. 6/10
(12) Will Day: He impacted early with important tackles and showed composure with ball in hand, a very strong performance. 7/10
(15) Blake Hardwick: Went searching for Charlie Cameron’s body too early in aerial contests, allowing him to get out the back and punish Hawthorn twice in the second quarter, while his decision-making looked unusually uncertain. Still worked hard in defence. 4/10
(16) Massimo D’Ambrosio: Collected 12 disposals by half-time, worked hard to support the defence and took two important marks in the third quarter in a solid performance. 6/10
(17) Lloyd Meek: He clearly won the ruck battle, consistently giving Hawthorn’s midfielders and forwards first look while remaining exceptionally clean at ground level, looking like an extra midfielder in a career-best performance. 9/10
(18) Mabior Chol: Had no impact in the first half and was beaten in several contests, then failed to provide the aerial presence Hawthorn desperately needed after the main break as the Lions’ defenders marked too easily. 4/10
(19) Jack Gunston: Reached 50 career finals goals, was always in the right place at the right time. The evergreen veteran was a massive presence in the last quarter. 8/10
(23) Josh Weddle: Shifted to half-back when Sicily moved onto the wing in the second quarter and again served as Sam Mitchell’s versatile utility, influencing the game at both ends of the ground. He got shifted forward in the last and had some big moments. 7/10
(24) Josh Battle: Outplayed both Oscar Allen and Logan Morris, keeping both forwards quiet and completing his defensive role effectively. 7/10
(25) Josh Ward: Very clean early, he was Hawthorn’s best midfielder, maintaining a consistent contribution across all four quarters. He had some huge game defining clearances in the fourth quarter as the Hawks charged. 10/10
(28) Cam Mackenzie: He found plenty of space on the outside and collected nine disposals by half-time, but faded after the break. 5/10
(33) Jack Ginnivan: Was uncharacteristically quiet on the big stage, but always tried to pressure and create havoc wherever he went. He had some great composure late when the game was on the line. 5/10
(37) Tom Barrass: Positioned himself well behind the ball, winning several important early contests and providing a strong last line of defence. He took what could have proved to be the game-saving mark with two minutes to play. 9/10
(40) Max Beattie: He had little influence as a small forward and struggled to become involved in the game. 3/10
(42) Bailey Macdonald: He offered limited run and carry and had little influence, aside from one strong first-half tackle and some strong aerial contests. 4/10
Brisbane Lions
(1) Kai Lohmann: Wow, what a third term, the flashy forward leaving football Siberia in the first half for the warm waters of Florida after the main break. He did not have a touch in the first term, and it took until he won a contentious free kick late in the second term to have an impact, converting a set shot. But his third term was match-turning, delivering three goals, including a stunning set shot from just inside the right boundary, as the Lions booted seven goals to one for the term. 7/10
(2) Sam Draper: The former Essendon ruckman didn’t have the best of games against the Crows last week, but was solid around the ground against Meek. He botched a crucial set shot in the second term, but was active all evening. 7/10
(3) Jaspa Fletcher: The reliable defender struggled to regain his best form early in the season, but regained touch, and continued that here with 11 disposals to half-time. Worked hard after the main break. 7/10
(4) Oscar Allen: The former West Coast captain was busy early, pushing up field to have an influence with four marks in the first term. He did not take another, and will need to lift next week. 4/10
(5) Josh Dunkley: There have been few better at the coalface than this man over the past decade, his attention to detail impeccable. That was the case when he went to Day and held the Hawks star to two touches in the first term, and six to the main break. While Day was more productive after the main break, Dunkley, who also spent time on Newcombe, won this battle. 8/10
(6) Hugh McCluggage: Must now be dubbed “Mr Cool” after his goal-kicking heroics in the final term. The pressure he was under was just enormous. This was another superb performance from the hard-running midfielder and big-time finals performer, who slotted two goals when the contest was in the balance. He had another important kick in the third term. He still appeared to be nursing a calf issue, but finished with 23 disposals nonetheless. 10/10
(7) Jarrod Berry: The dynamic onballer, who missed last year’s grand final because of injury, struggled to get involved in the first half, held to only six touches on a wing. He came to life with a 60m bomb in the third term which cut the Hawks’ lead to 10 points. 7/10
(8) Will Ashcroft: Put simply, the dual Norm Smith medallist was involved in everything. This man has an astonishing finals record, and was at his brilliant best with a super running goal and nine touches in the first term. He finished with 28 disposals, 10 inside 50s and eight clearances in another finals masterpiece. Just call him “Mr September”. 10/10
(9) Lachie Neale: The dual Brownlow medallist took a high hit at the opening centre bounce when floored by Newcombe, and – oddly – did not immediately leave the field for assessment. He had five clearances to half-time, the Lions winning this battle 24-17 to the main break. Neale was typically robust after the break, finishing with 26 touches, and extending his Lions career by a further week. 8/10
(10) Levi Ashcroft: The younger of the two Ashcrofts has had a charmed run in his two seasons, and began this contest well after a chip pass from his brother, and goal. Didn’t exert much influence after that, but delivered a crucial spoil with 10 minutes remaining. 6/10
(13) Logan Morris: The All-Australian and brilliant young forward was well held to half-time by Battle with only three touches, and had only two marks to three-quarter-time. But he burst into action in the final quarter, booting two early goals to give his team what seemed to be a match-winning lead. 5/10
(15) Dayne Zorko: The cheeky veteran had the job on Ginnivan, and held the former premiership Magpie goalless and to only seven touches to half-time. He provided his typical dash from half-back with six rebound 50s, in what will be remembered as a classic preliminary final. 7.5/10
(16) Cam Rayner: The robust half-forward knows how to pump up his team with a moment of brilliance, but wasn’t able to do that in the first half. Had the semi-defensive job of negating James Sicily after the main break, but the Hawks’ co-captain took a pivotal mark which almost saved the day for the Hawks. 6.5/10
(22) Ty Gallop: The man who played in the 2025 premiership in just his sixth game held his spot ahead of Noah Answerth, but had nowhere to hide when tackled by Lewis, conceding a first-term goal. He battled seriously hard. 6.5/10
(23) Charlie Cameron: Was in the play early when he marked strongly on the lead and converted. While he had only five touches to half-time, two of them were goals. He delivered more dash after the main break, and was crucial to the victory. Perhaps next week he needs to persuade the MCG to let rip Take me Home, Country Roads. 7.5/10
(26) Conor McKenna: The man with a Gaelic title and AFL premiership began as a defensive forward on rebounding half-back Impey, and delivered one of the goals of the year, a trademark soccer poke off the outside of his boot. Held Impey to only two touches in the first term, and provided speed all evening. 7/10
(27) Darcy Gardiner: The no-fuss, no-frills defender had the job on Gunston, and it was a tough night at the office. Gunston finished with five goals, but Gardiner did have his important moments. 5/10
(30) Eric Hipwood: The veteran forward missed last year’s premiership because of injury gave the Lions their first lead of the evening with a brilliant left-foot snap. He was quiet at times, but gave the Lions a target all night, and finished with three. 7/10
(31) Harris Andrews: The Hawks needed to find a way to curb Andrews’ intercept marking, and they did this by making the star defender accountable. Lewis did just that with three goals before half-time, but Andrews was back to his best after the main break with marks and spoils, although Lewis hauled in a huge pack mark late. 7.5/10
(32) Darcy Fort: The dual premiership ruckman was typically solid and dependable, although he needlessly held on to Weddle at a throw-in and conceded a goal in the second term. 6.5/10
(33) Zac Bailey: This is a man who knows how to step up in finals. He was a non-factor in the first half, rated “poor” by Jonathan Brown at half-time. However, he got moving after the break, finishing with 18 disposals, albeit goalless. 7/10
(35) Ryan Lester: The unheralded defender, 34, had the imposing assignment on Watson, and began horribly when “the Wizard” booted the Hawks’ opening two goals. He regained his composure, but Watson was a star all night and almost dragged the Hawks to victory. 5.5/10
(44) Darcy Wilmot: The rebounding half-back failed to have the influence he wanted in the first half, and then coughed up a high free kick – and goal – to Nick Watson in the third term. Finished with four rebounds from defensive 50. 6/10
Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.
Jon Pierik is a sports journalist at The Age. He covers AFL and has won awards for his cricket and basketball writing.Connect via X or email.
