Every Magpie rated from Saturday night's elimination final
Who fought hardest to save the Pies' season as it was sunk by Port?
Luke Ball – 6
The Pies' battering ram was typically serviceable without having a great influence on proceedings. Had seven clearances – more than any opponent – but didn’t win enough ball. Lucky that an early kicking clanger didn’t cost the Pies a goal.
Dayne Beams – 8
Amassed game-high tallies of disposals (29), clearances (12) and centre clearances (six), laid eight tackles and drilled a big goal in the first minute of the last term. Not his fault the Pies were eliminated from the finals.
Jarryd Blair – 4
The hard-at-it little man fought fiercely, applying a game-high nine tackles, but had little impact with just four of his 13 disposals being kicks.
Nathan Brown – 5
Entered the game under the cloud of a knee injury and was dominated by Schulz both early and late. Limited the key forward's output in the middle part of the game but was fortunate Schulz missed a few shots.
Took three contested marks and kicked two goals, including one that put the Pies in front early in the last quarter, but was comprehensively beaten by Carlile. Didn't provide enough movement early and was too predictable in demanding the ball long.
Alan Didak – 5
The veteran, playing as the Pies' sub, was industrious in limited game time in perhaps his final AFL game. Came on late in the third term and had 10 touches, including five touches in the opening three minutes of the last quarter – more than Port in that time. Precise as always.
Sam Dwyer – 4
The former VFL player endured one of the quietest games of his impressive debut season. Didn’t touch the ball in the first quarter, but showed some glimpses in the second and third terms, before dying out again.
Jamie Elliott – 5
A late inclusion for Quinten Lynch, he was the Pies' hardest working forward early, whether making position through the midfield or sprinting back towards goal. Missed two gettable shots in the first term and unsuccessfully tried to pass when should have had a shot in the second. Subbed off in the third quarter.
Tyson Goldsack – 5
Reasonably effective when playing as a loose man at times, positioning himself smartly to spoil as the third man up, and was as vigorous and team-orientated as always.
A strong performance for a teenage ruckman playing his first final in just his seventh AFL game, but he lowered his colours to Lobbe. Shouldered much of the ruck load without usual back-up Lynch, but did surprisingly little around the ground.
Lachie Keeffe – 5
With Lynch out, the usual key defender battled manfully but largely without reward in the unfamiliar forward/ruck role. Kicked a goal via a contested mark early in third quarter.
Brent Macaffer – 7
The big-bodied tagger kept Port skipper and chief playmaker Boak to just 14 touches, and managed to slot a goal himself. His only blot was conceding two second-half goals, both of them from the goal square.
Nick Maxwell – 5
Struggled to supply his usual drive from defence or manufacture situations where he could be the third man up in to aerial duels. Likely to have captained the Pies for the last time.
Harry O'Brien – 5
Had his moments where he showed his customary run and adventure, but wasn't the feisty figure he has been for much of the season.
Scott Pendlebury – 5
Nullified for the second time this season by the Power, and it's no coincidence the Pies went down again. Tagged by Cassisi, the vice-captain had just nine touches to halftime. Lifted in the last quarter, but it was too little, too late.
Ben Reid – 4
One of the utility's poorest performances for the club. Struggled to find a way into the game in attack, although he was often competing with two opponents in the air.
Paul Seedsman – 5
The long-kicking defender showed some dash and flair but didn’t feature enough. Needs to do more than simply get on the end of it.
Heath Shaw – 3
One of Shaw's dirtiest nights, and he now faces an off-season of soul-searching. The experienced defender had his hands full with Monfries, and gifted him a goal after delivering some jumper punches. Argued with teammates, opponents, umpires and bench staff in a petulant display.
Steele Sidebottom – 7
Gathered an equal game-high 29 possessions, including 11 in a busy first term, in an absorbing tussle with Cornes. Set up Cloke for an important goal early in the final term, but 10 minutes later missed badly with a regulation set-shot that would have put the Pies eight points up.
Dane Swan – 8
The prolific Pie had just 22 touches, including only one in the final term, but was easily his side's best player. Kicked three goals, which could easily have been five. Dominated across half-forward in the third term, when he also gave away a goal with a kicking error.
Josh Thomas – 3
Another Pie who was unable to reproduce his form from the home-and-away season. Managed just 11 touches after averaging 24 in his previous four outings, and the Pies missed his usual enterprise around the packs. Hit the post with a banana kick from the boundary that put the Pies in front in the third term.
Marley Williams – 7
The straight-ahead backman shut down small forward Robbie Gray completely and kicked a much-needed goal in the second term himself, on the run from 45 metres. If more teammates had performed with his desperation, the Pies might still be in the premiership race.
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