Sam Butler - 6
Sidelined for a large period since the 2006 flag, Butler was more than up to it in his match against the Magpies. Started on Krakouer and did well on him. Drifted in and out of the game playing as a rebounding defender.
Dean Cox - 4
Went off in the second quarter and straight to the rooms with back spasms. Had a couple of goes at getting back into action but couldn't shake his injury and was eventually subbed off in the third quarter. Played second-fiddle to Naitanui in the ruck.
Jack Darling - 5
Presented a match-up problem for the Magpies and threw his body around in the contests. He showed his precocious poise with a solid mark and crucial goal to reduce the margin to seven points in time-on in the last quarter.
Brad Ebert - 6
Started on the bench and worked well as a link man when he came on. Was briefly used as a defensive forward on Heath Shaw.
Andrew Embley - 4
Took a great flying mark on the half-back flank in the first quarter. Some unusual decision-making let him down at stages.
Andrew Gaff - 6
Gave his all on the wing but poor disposal at times let him down. Ran hard all day long and carried the ball well.
Darren Glass - 8
Played a great stopping game on Chris Dawes. Barely allowed the Magpie forward a sniff and was a great example of the value of experience in finals.
Shannon Hurn - 7
Patrolled the back half well and rebounded from the defensive 50 strongly. Got the better of Jarryd Blair when he was on the small forward.
Josh Kennedy - 2
Was the focal point of the West Coast forward line but barely fired a shot as Chris Tarrant beat him comprehensively in their duel. Missed a vital set shot in the third quarter.
Mark LeCras - 3
Had far less influence than his direct opponent Harry O'Brien. Kicked a couple of goals but did little else. Was tackled and conceded a holding the ball decision when the Eagles were surging forward and had the momentum.
Quinten Lynch - 6
Didn't really have an impact in the first three quarters but burst into it in the final term with seven touches and two goals. Did his role as a third tall forward option.
Eric Mackenzie - 7
Outplayed Travis Cloke in possibly the game of his career. Rebounded well and was a valuable part of the West Coast back six. Timed his positioning perfectly.
Chris Masten - 6
Started on the bench and came on to be West Coast's second highest possession winner with 22. But he butchered his disposal too often while setting up a couple of scoring opportunities.
Patrick McGinnity - 2
Was brought into the team after Kerr's withdrawal. Started as a substitute and came on in the third quarter when Cox's day was over. Didn't have much influence until he ran down Ben Johnson for a holding the ball decision when the game was in the balance.
Nic Naitanui - 8.5
Burst out of the blocks, killing Jolly in the ruck and also having an effect up forward. His game may have tapered off a touch but he was easily giving Collingwood more headaches than any of his teammates. For a ruckman to be able to have eight clearances is amazing.
Mark Nicoski - 4
Set up a couple of scoring opportunities but didn't have his greatest day. Spent a decent portion of the day on Leon Davis without worrying him too much.
Matt Priddis - 7.5
Was a focus of Collingwood's with Luke Ball closely guarding him at stoppages. Got plenty of it but turnovers at crucial times hurt him.
Will Schofield - 4
Started on the bench in his first game back from a fractured cheekbone. Wasn't too prolific but a big run out of the back half late in the last quarter had the Magpies worried.
Adam Selwood - 6
His desperation was illustrated by a diving smother on Alan Didak in the second quarter. Was moved on to Pendlebury late in the second quarter where he curtailed him a tad. Turned it over too often when the ball was in his hands.
Scott Selwood - 5
Was used briefly as a defensive forward on Leon Davis after starting on Dane Swan in the midfield. Had a set shot in the final quarter that could have got his team back in it but he missed.
Luke Shuey - 6
Did a few nice things but only showed glimpses of what he has provided throughout the home and away season. He missed a vital shot at goal in the final quarter that hurt his team.
Beau Waters - 6.5
Started in defence on Alan Didak and kept him quiet while the two were opposed. As we have come to expect, Waters put his body on the line when he had to and gave the Eagles some physical presence, especially when Collingwood looked to be getting on top of them.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs
