Luke Ablett - 4
Came off late in the game after a knock to the head. He didn’t have a tremendous impact on the contest before that.
Leo Barry - 3
The veteran defender had little influence on the game but was not his side’s worst. Was reported for striking late in the match.
Paul Bevan - 4
Started on Robert Murphy and spent most of the first half on him. Applied pressure but didn’t have the ability to go with the classy Bulldog.
Craig Bolton - 6
Started on Brad Johnson and largely kept the Bulldogs skipper out of the game. Used his body well in marking contests.
Jude Bolton - 4
Not the greatest of evenings for the hard-at-it onballer, who struggled with the tempo.
Amon Buchanan - 6
Looked menacing at times and used the ball well when he had it.
Jared Crouch - 6
Started on his old foe Jason Akermanis and kept the veteran Bulldog to a limited output. Kicked a late goal to suggest there might be life in his old legs yet.
Peter Everitt - 2
Started up forward in an attempt the stretch the Bulldogs' height-challenged defence and switched in the ruck with Darren Jolly. It was a quiet night for big Spida, who announced his retirement after the match.
Adam Goodes - 4
Played up forward and booted one goal but apart from that he didn’t do a lot against Bulldogs tagger Dale Morris. Would have been used in the middle if his body was up to it.
Barry Hall - 7
Looked like he was going to tear the game apart in the first half. Outclassed Brian Lake but his supply dried up after the main break. Still, Hall was one of his side’s best with four goals.
Kieren Jack - 3
The youngster was used sparingly by coach Paul Roos and while he didn’t star, he will be better for the experience of playing a final at the MCG.
Darren Jolly - 5
Toiled away in the ruck but didn’t have the same impact around the ground as his Bulldog counterparts.
Tadhg Kennelly - 6
Ran out of defence well, as usual. Got plenty of it early but like most of his teammates Kennelly faded away as the game wore on. Missed a crucial goal in the second quarter.
Brett Kirk - 7
Was one of few Swans to put in a four-quarter effort, but you’d expect nothing less from one of the most inspiring leaders in the AFL. His work in and under was second to none.
Nick Malceski - 2
He started on the bench and may as well have stayed there. Didn’t feature in a great deal of play, but did well to be playing after his pre-season knee reconstruction.
Martin Mattner - 4
Was involved in a nasty clash with Johnson in the third term when he hit the Dogs' captain with an accidental shoulder in a marking contest. Got a bit of the ball but was somewhat innocuous.
Jarrad McVeigh - 5
Gathered plenty of footy but was nowhere to be seen when the heat was on in the third term. He wasn't alone in going missing.
Jarred Moore - 3
Showed a bit of aggression which was needed in finals but didn’t do a whole lot else in a disappointing effort.
Ryan O’Keefe - 4
Always a danger man up forward for the Sydney Swans but tonight was not one of his better games. Was frustrated in the third quarter when things weren't going the Swans way.
Ted Richards - 4
Played in defence and finished up on Mitch Hahn. A very quiet night for the former Bomber, who has had a consistent season.
Lewis Roberts-Thomson - 6
Spent time at both ends of the ground and stood his ground when some teammates went missing.
Patrick Veszpremi - 3
Came off after a heavy knock in the third term but soon returned to the field. Has been an exciting player in the last few weeks but was quieter tonight.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL
