Appeared uncomfortable after kicking inside 50 in the third, limped off minutes later for treatment on a left hamstring and didn’t return. Has a history of hammy issues. Dr Nick Maxwell cleared of him any damage after the game, but will still be a big story this week.
Dayne Beams - 7
Worked with Dale Thomas to cause the Matthew Scarlett turnover that let Scott Pendlebury in for a telling goal in the first quarter. Wandered inside 50, put both hands above his head and Travis Cloke eventually hit him for the Pies' 10th goal in the second quarter.
Jarryd Blair - 5
The pocket rocket didn’t have the same impact as in his first final, but he still went pretty hard when required. Will it be enough for the fairytale to continue?
Leigh Brown - 8
The former flaky Freo man, former rocky Roo’s transformation into a magnificent Magpie is almost complete. He worked tirelessly in between forward 50 and the wing and sent the ball into attack seven times. Sent a long mongrel punt barrelling toward goal from the wing which bounced at right angles for a big early goal.
Nathan Brown - 6
Recorded the lowest amount of stats on the ground with just one kick and one handball, but he might just keep Simon Prestigiacomo out of the side with his solid performance on James Podsiadly, who only kicked one goal.
Travis Cloke - 8
Booted the Pies' first from a set shot to calm his notoriously fragile nerves. Clearly had the better of Tom Lonergan on his way to three majors.
Chris Dawes - 7
Wasn’t asked to do a great deal as he moved Matthew Scarlett out of harm’s way for the most part, but bobbed up for a goal.
Alan Didak - 9
One of the Pies’ prime movers. Provided some cause for concern when he grabbed at his strapped left shoulder with a grimace after a collision with Tom Hawkins in the last quarter.
Tyson Goldsack - 4
Got the late call-up for Leon Davis and probably didn’t grab his chance with both hands. Played a bits-and-pieces role without catching the eye.
Ben Johnson - 7
Baulked Cameron Ling with disdain for the Pies’ seventh goal of the first quarter. Effective foot soldier.
Darren Jolly - 5
Subdued effort from the big Jolly one, but it’s not like he was beaten by Brad Ottens or Tom Hawkins on a night when the big men didn’t have much of an influence.
Nick Maxwell - 8
Punched through a Paul Chapman shot on goal after Mathew Stokes didn’t go hard enough. It went straight up the other end for a Sharrod Wellingham goal in a critical period of the first quarter. Was allowed to play loose man in defence. Didn’t rack up big numbers but killed contest after contest third man up.
Brent Macaffer - 6
Assigned to Cat rebounder Josh Hunt and did the job pretty well. Expertly outmanoeuvred him to boot a goal in the third term.
Harry O'Brien - 6
Didn’t have the influence that he can in terms of rebound off half-back, but helped form a crowd when the ball wandered inside the Cats’ forward 50.
Scott Pendlebury - 9
The young Pie is pure class and he just knocked up getting possessions when the heat was on. Amazingly, the Cats didn’t seem too interested in manning him up. Beat Harry O’Brien to the punch for the first post-match tweet.
Ben Reid - 8
Played on Cam Mooney and carried the day. Showed typical Pie back-six grit to deny Stevie Johnson’s shot on goal in the second term.
Heath Shaw - 7
Provided his customary rebound off half-back in a solid display. Wasn’t really made to work too hard by his direct opponent.
Steele Sidebottom - 6
Danced a merry tune around Darren Milburn and should have goaled in the second quarter. Just a cameo from Rusty but he played his part.
Dane Swan - 9
The prolific Pie showed why he’s the red-hot Brownlow medal favourite with a blistering display. Would easily have finished with 40 touches if the Pies hadn’t shut it down midway through the third term.
Dale Thomas - 8
Lively outing. Caught Matthew Scarlett to allow Scott Pendlebury to kick the Pies’ sixth in a crucial play of the first quarter. Will sweat a little on the match review panel after he caught Harry Taylor a touch high and front on in the second term.
Alan Toovey - 8
“Toooov” was the cry that reverberated around the ‘G whenever the cult figure took possession. Played on a number of forwards and formed part of the crowd when the Cats went forward.
Sharrod Wellingham - 7
Went down like there was a sniper in the light tower in the first final just two weeks ago, but looked unhindered as he took his place in the marauding Magpie onball brigade.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
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