AFL.com.au takes a look at the Schick AFL Player Ratings for the 2016 Toyota AFL Grand Final.
Determining the AFL's best player has always been tricky. Whether it be umpires, coaches, media or fans, judgements about top players have always contained a large slice of opinion.
Now, using the most sophisticated algorithm ever applied to our game, we are assessing every single action of every player, determining the impact of that action, and providing points – either positive or negative – toward that player's rating compared to his peers.
Along with the obvious acts such as goals, marks and disposals, we've included intercepts, spoils, kicking to a contest, smothers, chasing, corralling and many other 'one-percenters' - along with where and when they occurred - to paint a complete picture of ever player's impact on a game.
And the Player Ratings are based on a player's past 40 games, which delivers a long-term view of a player's standing within the AFL.
| Game ranking (Overall ranking) | Team | Player |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (3) | SYD | Josh Kennedy: The inside midfielder is ranked as the third-best player in the competition and almost 83 points ahead of his nearest teammate. Big-bodied midfielder who draws the footy instinctively. |
| 2 (5) | WB | Marcus Bontempelli: The superstar has made his impact felt throughout the finals series and looms as a key player if the Dogs are to be premiers. |
| 3 (11) | SYD | Luke Parker: A game changer, whether he's isolated deep forward or winning contested ball in the midfield, the star onballer finds a way to have an impact on games. |
| 4 (14) | SYD | Dan Hannebery: The star Swan joins his fellow midfielders inside the top 15. The three-time All Australian is tough at the footy, picks up disposals at will and generally uses the ball constructively. |
| 5 (17) | SYD | Lance Franklin: The superstar forward has been spending more time up the ground but that has not diminished his impact on games. Buddy has kicked 80 goals for the season, 51 more than second-placed Swan Tom Papley. |
| 6 (32) | WB | Jake Stringer: The explosive forward hasn't had his best season but he kicked three goals last time he faced the Swans. |
| 7 (51) | SYD | Dane Rampe: One of the most improved players in the AFL, Rampe thrives when intercepting opposition kicks. Can play on tall and small opponents, with versatility a main feature of his play. |
| 8 (54) | SYD | Jarrad McVeigh: Overcame a calf complaint to prove his fitness for the decider. The co-captain boasts experience, leadership and football nous. |
| 9 (59) | WB | Luke Dahlhaus: The former rookie picked up 32 disposals in the preliminary final and is as tenacious a player in the AFL. |
| 10 (64) | SYD | Kieren Jack: The co-captain is the ultimate team player, capable of playing through the midfield and across half-back or wherever is needed. Jack's clean hands in traffic are a major asset for the Swans. |
| 11 (72) | SYD | Tom Mitchell: Despite speculation about his future, the young midfielder has been the Swans' top performer in the Schick AFL Player Ratings across this year's finals series. Deceptive with his hands in tight. |
| 12 (73) | SYD | Kurt Tippett: Tippett shook off a knee injury to return for the Swans' preliminary final win over the Cats. The ruckman's mobility to push forward will be crucial in Saturday's clash against the Bulldogs. |
| 13 (81) | WB | Easton Wood: An ankle concern seemed like it could plague the stand-in skipper's finals campaign but his huge speccy against GWS showed he is back to his best. |
| 14 (83) | WB | Matthew Boyd: The former captain provides valuable experience down back and was named in the All Australian team for the third time. |
| 15 (85) | WB | Liam Picken: His toughness at the ball has been the backbone of an exceptional finals series, and Picken will want to continue that. |
| 16 (104) | WB | Jack Macrae: A hamstring injury meant the left-footer missed four games leading up to the Dogs' elimination final but he has returned in outstanding form. |
| 17 (112) | WB | Jason Johannisen: The speedy half-back sunk the Swans in round 15 earlier this year with his goal at the death and he would love to recreate that moment on Saturday. |
| 18 (126) | WB | Lachie Hunter: The wingman has had the ball on a string for much of the season and he will likely rack up possessions on Saturday if allowed to run free. |
| 19 (133) | SYD | Isaac Heeney: One of the best young players in the competition has boosted his reputation after three fine finals appearances. With just 37 games to his name, look for Heeney to continue his sharp upward trend. |
| 20 (144) | WB | Tory Dickson: After a shaky goalkicking performance in the semi-final, the sharpshooter found his range last week. |
| 21 (173) | SYD | Heath Grundy: The reliable defender continues to hold the fort in the Swans' defence. Even with the Bulldogs' small forward line, Grundy's ability to read the play and have an impact on marking contests will be crucial in the result. |
| 22 (182) | WB | Dale Morris: Three consecutive preliminary final defeats in 2008-10 would have been agonising, so the reliable defender will stop at nothing to experience premiership success. |
| 23 (185) | WB | Jordan Roughead: Blood filled up in the ruckman's eye and forced him out of the game versus the Giants last week, but he overcame that issue to be named in the team. |
| 24 (194) | SYD | Jake Lloyd: Lloyd is a consistent performer and can carry out most tasks the coaching staff set him. His kicking from the back half is a key to the Swans, as is his competitiveness when one-on-one against his opponent. |
| 25 (197) | SYD | Gary Rohan: The Swans' X-factor up forward because of his speed and ability to impact the scoreboard. Can be untidy with his disposal at times, but thrives when putting pressure on the opposition. |
| 26 (198) | WB | Caleb Daniel: Recruiters had doubts about Daniel because of his small frame but he has proved them wrong. A stellar performance in the Grand Final would cap off a wonderful story. |
| 27 (208) | WB | Tom Liberatore: The inside midfielder missed last season after a knee reconstruction and required ankle surgery in the lead-up to finals but he hasn't missed a beat this September. |
| 28 (218) | SYD | Jeremy Laidler: The former Cat and Blue lost his place in the team mid-year but fought back into the side as the Swans called in the reinforcements after injuries hit during the finals. |
| 29 (259) | WB | Shane Biggs: The accurate kicking backman has the chance to win a Grand Final against his former club. |
| 30 (271) | SYD | Nick Smith: A no frills, no fuss defender who regularly gets the job done on the AFL's best small forwards. Smith averages just 13.9 disposals this season but his worth to the team is immeasurable. |
| 31 (276) | SYD | Ben McGlynn: Set to play in his second Grand Final, the former Hawk has experience in big games. Alongside Papley, his role to keep the ball locked inside forward 50 with tackling pressure will be vital. |
| 32 (374) | SYD | Callum Mills: The NAB AFL Rising Star is poised with the footy in hand and courageous in defence. Overcame a hamstring injury to prove his fitness for the big game and his decision-making in the heat of battle will be vital for the Swans. |
| 33 (381) | WB | Fletcher Roberts: Brought in last week to add height to the backline, Roberts kept his spot in the team after a strong performance. |
| 34 (386) | SYD | Zak Jones: After a concussion in the NEAFL, Jones played his way into the Grand Final team after a standout performance in the preliminary final win over Geelong. Not afraid to take the game on out of defence. |
| 35 (405) | WB | Tom Boyd: Has received plenty of criticism for earning a huge pay packet before establishing himself as a consistent player but the big forward has stood up for the Dogs. |
| 36 (408) | SYD | Tom Papley: Set the Swans alight with nine goals from his three finals games. The zippy forward has a knack for losing his opponent in traffic and generally makes his opportunities count. |
| 37 (416) | WB | Toby McLean: Barely played at senior level in the second half of the season but has impressed in the Dogs' run to the big day. |
| 38 (432) | SYD | George Hewett: The mid-sized forward is adept in the air and usually nimble when the ball hits the deck. Hewett continues to climb in the Player Ratings and will get better when he plays more games. |
| 39 (435) | WB | Joel Hamling: Taking down big name key forwards has been his role in September and Lance Franklin could be next for the former Cat. |
| 40 (458) | WB | Clay Smith: Three knee reconstructions have plagued his career but the hard nut has been brilliant for his side. |
| 41 (495) | WB | Josh Dunkley: The son of former Sydney Swans defender Andrew could achieve what his old man never did with a premiership. |
| 42 (499) | SYD | Sam Naismith: Tippett's sidekick in the ruck covers the ground well and creates match-up problems for the opposition when up forward. The big man is a real marking threat and he backs himself in the air. |
| 43 (516) | SYD | Xavier Richards: The younger brother of premiership Swan Ted, Xavier Richards has made the most of his opportunity later in the season. Richards offers a marking target up forward and is mobile at ground level. |
| 44 (572) | WB | Zaine Cordy: After being suspended, along with teammate Tom Boyd, for an alcohol-induced incident earlier this season, Cordy booted two goals in the preliminary final and could again be important. |
