Player Ratings for the 2005 Grand Final

The Hero

While Brett Kirk and Nic Fosdike were sensational through the middle and Leo Barry was masterful down back, it was the controversial captain, Barry Hall, who was Sydney’s most influential. After being beaten early, Hall put his head down and took mark after mark with hard running up the wings. He beat two opponents, and his long goal halfway through the last quarter sparked the Swans’ last hurrah. In a team that boasts so many leaders, this was truly a captain’s performance.

The Warrior

No one would deny Chris Judd his Norm Smith medal, as he once more showed off his big game pedigree in front of almost 92,000 people. Electric from the first quarter in which he had six clearances, Judd stood up when his teammates didn’t in the second term, and beat two of the best negating players going around in Luke Ablett and Jared Crouch. One gets the feeling we haven’t seen the last of him on such a grand stage.

The Villain

While so much focus will go on Brent Staker’s last quarter mistakes, it was Michael Gardiner who yet again fuelled why so many rumours circle around the Eagles looking to trade him. In a game where his side were crying out for someone to stand up in the forward line, Gardiner was nothing short of pathetic. He allowed himself to be out bodied time and again by the smaller Barry, hit the post early with the goals gaping and repeatedly let his shoulders slump when things weren’t going his way.

Sydney

Jared Crouch – Beaten by Judd when moved to him, but the gutsy South Australian still had some crucial touches, and battled on bravely after hurting his ankle. 6/10

Leo Barry – Will be forever remembered for that mark, but ‘Leaping Leo’ was sensational all day on Gardiner, and provided plenty of rebound as per usual. 8/10

Lewis Roberts-Thomson – The young man with the rugby background came of age today. He was superb in the first half and beat promising Eagle Ashley Hansen convincingly. 7/10

Ben Mathews – One of the Swans’ unsung heroes, Mathews stuck to his task on Chad Fletcher all day and took the honours. Uncompromising and tough. 7/10

Craig Bolton – Deserved this one as much as any, after missing out twice with the Lions. Didn’t have a lot to do, but what he did have he handled with his usual efficiency. 6/10

Tadhg Kennelly – The man from Kerry has become a star. Repeatedly backed himself out of defence with hard-running, won plenty of one-on-ones and was rewarded with a superb goal. 8/10

Amon Buchanan – Perhaps the most improved player in the competition. The boy from Colac has been superb all finals series, and his second half was excellent. 7/10

Adam Goodes – Has looked lacklustre for the best part of two seasons, but the 2003 Brownlow Medallist stood tall today. An electrifying first half, and adds another medal to his collection. 8/10

Sean Dempster – Beaten by Ben Cousins, but is a young man making his way in the game, and will be better for the experience. Looks set for a breakout season in 2006. 4/10

Ryan O’Keefe – Sydney’s star of the first three finals, O’Keefe was quiet today, but still provided a contest and did the team thing consistently, as you’d expect from him. 5/10

Barry Hall – Nothing short of inspiring. 17 possessions, 10 marks and two goals, the skipper worked himself into the ground and was rewarded with the cup. 9/10

Jude Bolton – Perhaps the most underrated tough man in the league. Bolton copped knocks left right and centre and ended the game in a bloodstained helmet, but still had his head over the football right until the end. 7/10

Paul Williams – Another day at the office for the former Collingwood star, as he provided his usual running game and working hard right until the final siren. 6/10

Michael O’Loughlin – Could have been the villain with his wayward kicking, but in reality had Daniel Chick on a string all day, and couldn’t capitalise. 6/10

Nick Davis – A quiet day at the office for the temperamental Davis, but his side wouldn’t have been here if it wasn’t for his heroics a fortnight earlier. Had some crucial one percenters in the final term. 4/10

Darren Jolly – Battled hard all day, and with Jason Ball was probably just shaded by All-Australian Dean Cox. It is a sweet return in his first season at the club however, after crossing over from the Demons. 6/10

Brett Kirk – Swans fans have found their new Paul Kelly, as the fearless Kirk turned in another beauty. Found at the bottom of every pack all day, as he continued to put his head where most wouldn’t put their feet. 8/10

Luke Ablett – A horror day for one of the competition’s best stories. Thrashed by Judd early and gave away a crucial last quarter goal to Cousins, but a medal is in his keeping as a reward for a fine season. 2/10

Jason Ball – What better way for a man to bow out of the game? Ball was immense in the last 15 minutes, as he made his final contribution to the game a telling one. 7/10

Paul Bevan – Maybe lucky to be there and didn’t get much time on the ground, but every player counts in one shape or another. 3/10

Nic Fosdike – The Shaun Hart of this year’s decider, Fosdike played the game of his inconsistent career. Providing run off the wings and halfback all day long, his 26 possessions and seven tackles may have been enough to take home the Norm Smith on another day. 9/10

Adam Schneider – An underrated game from the reinvigorated Schneider. Kicked a goal and missed one he should have kicked, but it was his efforts in negating the influence of David Wirrpunda which will be recognised and applauded in the Harbour City. 7/10

West Coast

Adam Hunter – Has gone forward to good effect all through the finals series at times, and Hunter again threatened to break the game open with two crucial second half goals. 6/10

Darren Glass – Has his moments, but too often was found out for both commitment and fitness as Hall asked questions of him time and time again. 4/10

David Wirrpunda – Where was the dashing All-Australian back pocket? Wirrpunda looked shaky all game as Schneider dragged him up the ground, and his kicking in late was atrocious. 4/10

Daniel Chick – West Coast’s preliminary final hero had a forgettable day, as he was a non-factor up forward and was only saved in defence by O’Loughlin’s poor kicking. 3/10

Travis Gaspar – Should the Eagles even have bothered fighting his charge? Gaspar looked a long way out of his depth, although that wasn’t helped by Hall’s form. 2/10

Drew Banfield – One of West Coast’s best, Banfield will rue hitting the post in the last term with what he should have kicked. In perhaps his last game, the 1994 premiership winner did a sterling job on Nick Davis, allowing him no room. 7/10

Andrew Embley – Threatened to break the game open in the third quarter, but never quite put it all together. John Worsfold needed more from his star winger. 4/10

Ben Cousins – Tough and courageous as usual, Cousins ran himself into the ground as he fought for his side in the biggest game of his life. Was gifted a goal in the last quarter, but overall didn’t receive enough help from a star-studded midfield. 7/10

Tyson Stenglein – Largely anonymous for most of the game, Sydney’s midfield got on top when it mattered the most as Stenglein struggled to have an impact. 4/10

Daniel Kerr – After looking down and out –twice – with a leg injury, Kerr showed he has what finals champions are made off, coming back on and playing a superb final quarter under duress. Deserved better. 7/10

Ashley Hansen – The young Eagles forward has turned heads this season, but he was well beaten by someone just as raw in Roberts-Thomson. Ran hard all day, but just couldn’t provide the presence that his side desperately sought. 4/10

Brent Staker – A nightmare from someone who has snuck under radars in the second half of this season. A fumble cost him an open goal early in the last, and he followed that by playing on and turning it over inside 50 soon after, and giving away a crucial 50 metre penalty late on. 3/10

Michael Gardiner – Don’t be surprised to see the former ruck star in a different uniform next season, as he turned in a shocker. Looked completely disinterested and will almost certainly cop a pasting back home. 1/10

Ashley Sampi – Looked dangerous in bursts, but for a guy who cost West Coast a top six draft pick, Sampi still looks destined for a career as a spare parts man. 4/10

Dean Cox – With Mark Seaby seemingly a non-factor, Cox battled two men on his own, and did it admirably. A super running goal showcased his agility, and his tears at the end showcased the size of his heart. 7/10

Chris Judd – What can be said that hasn’t already about the young maestro? Brilliant on the big stage once more, and while the Norm Smith won’t mean much to him right now, it will to the legions who idolise him. 9/10

Chad Fletcher – Not his finest hour, as he was found out under pressure more than once. Still found the football as he always does, but made errors at crucial times. 4/10

Adam Selwood – Played the best game of his short career last week against Adelaide, but was a non-factor in this one. Still looks to have a great career ahead of him however. 3/10

Sam Butler – Like Bevan, the 22nd man who didn’t get much chance on the ground, but he’ll still hurt and he’ll learn from it. 2/10

Mark Seaby – Sublime last week, the competition’s best back-up ruckman couldn’t keep his form streak going another week, as Cox was left to shoulder too much. 3/10

Mark Nicoski – A surprise packet, as he kicked the game’s opening goal and had a number of good, hard touches. Can certainly hold his head high as a young man making his way in the league. 6/10

Kasey Green – A late inclusion, but was far from his side’s worst, as he proved quite tidy across halfback in keeping the dangerous O'Keefe quiet. 6/10

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