Collingwood Magpies player ratings from Wildcard Final vs Western Bulldogs, analysis, stats, best and worst players

Nick Daicos was electric and Dan McStay capped off his season with a powerful performance. But two key players went missing on the MCG stage.

Foxfooty.com.au rates every Collingwood player out of 10 from their wildcard final loss to the Western Bulldogs.

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1. PATRICK LIPINSKI

In a match where space was so hard to find, the former Bulldog was one of Collingwood’s best first-half performers. He did have a couple of poor turnovers early, but his 10 disposals and 223 metres gained before quarter time were ultimately a notable net positive. Found himself involved in a number of his side’s scoring chains in the first three quarters, and can hold his head high. 6

2. JORDAN DE GOEY

Was under enormous pressure early from his Bulldogs counterparts, and was as a result barely able to get free. That said, was still able to use the Sherrin effectively going into the first break. From there though, the midfielder-forward was very quiet until three-quarter time. “If Collingwood get over the line, he has to be the match-winner,” three-time premiership player Cameron Mooney told Fox Footy at the final break. From there, De Goey’s moment came with six minutes to play — taking a great contested mark before sneaking home his set shot and bringing the Pies’ deficit back to just three points. 4

3. ISAAC QUAYNOR

Led the match for intercept possessions in the first half alongside Jeremy Howe, as he floated between opponents in the back third. Operated well as the last line of defence with a few composed moments on a consistent night. Got caught between Artie Jones and helping his teammates from a centre clearance in the third term, with Jones converting truly. Finished one of their better players. 6

7. JOSH DAICOS

Had plenty of ball in Collingwood’s back half, but didn’t quite execute as well as he so often does early. Finished with 26 disposals and seven tackles in a good performance, but just lacked that extra bit of punish we’ve been used to this year. 6

8. LACHIE SCHULTZ

Was very clean with ball in hand, going at 100% efficiency from eight disposals in the first half. Put his body on the line for a loose ball and got crunched inside the first two minutes of the final quarter, in an act that would have left teammates with nothing but praise.

9. DAN HOUSTON

Looked in no man’s land for most of the second quarter, and while manning Artie Jones, was found out multiple times when the ball came into their defensive 50 hot. Was far from his night and lacked any punish with ball in hand, but not the only one to underperform. 3

11. DANIEL MCSTAY

Nabbed the first mark inside forward 50 for the match, and kicked truly with the ensuing set shot from 40 metres out on an angle. Jagged his second before quarter time thanks to a mark on the goal line, which he snapped truly from. Missed out on a goal line mark with two minutes to play before the main break, before making amends only a minute later to kick his third from close range. “The contested marks and goals, it’s making him one of the three or more most important players in a Collingwood jumper … it’s real bang-for-buck,” Australian football Hall of Fame Legend Jason Dunstall said after his third major. McStay’s contested marking clinic continued after the main break, clunking his fourth for the night to give him his fourth goal. Made the absolute most of every opportunity, and couldn’t have done much more. 8

14. DARCY CAMERON

Was dominant at stoppages early, and wasn’t afraid to get back behind the ball very quickly to help out the Magpies defence. As the match played out though, direct opponent Tim English found his groove quickly to punish Cameron in the same way the Pie has done to so many opponents this year. English probably had the pendulum swinging his way after three quarters, but a crucial set shot early in the last makes that judgement far less easy to make. Hardly a bad night for the 31-year-old, who was honourable once more. 7

16. EDWARD ALLAN

Brought tackling pressure from the get-go to be one of Collingwood’s more intense performers early on. Was beaten comfortably by Ed Richards around the ground in the first term, before finding his feet as the game went on. Hit Angus Anderson with a sensational centring ball in the last quarter that set up a crucial goal that deserved serious applause. 6

17. BILLY FRAMPTON

A very volatile night after what has been such a good season. Had a couple of shaky moments inside defensive 50 during the first quarter, one of which saw him caught holding the ball dead in front at the top of the goalsquare. Made up for it somewhat with a swift collection against two Bulldogs players on his half-back flank. Conceded a goal to Aaron Naughton in the second stanza, but there wasn’t much he could do about it. His volatile night continued, conceding a free kick for grappling Naughton at the top of the square, before giving a 50-metre penalty to seal his opponent’s deal. Ran down Artie Jones very close to goal in a lion-hearted act that kept their game alive, and in the end gave him a pass. 6

22. STEELE SIDEBOTTOM

Just the one disposal before quarter time in what was a very quiet start to his 29th match post-home-and-away season. Wasn’t sighted much more in the second term to go into half time with plenty to improve on. Started the ‘premiership’ quarter busy, but faded fast. A shame his 375th and final match finished the way it did, but what a career. 3

25. JACK CRISP

Had a costly turnover before quarter time coming out of defensive 50, which resulted in a direct goal to the Bulldogs. Was consistent throughout, before sending the MCG off its chops with an epic goal out of centre clearance. 6

28. TIM MEMBREY

A cruel, cruel finish to his night — and subsequently Collingwood’s season. Had seven touches to half time in a half with limited opportunity, but still didn’t have a heap of impact on the game. Missed a crucial set shot directly in front with three minutes to go before the final break, but hooked it left in a kick that Fox Footy commentator Anthony Hudson described as a “big let down”. Made up for it in the final minutes of the match, nailing a set shot on a far tighter angle that put the Magpies back in front by less than a kick. “He’s been quiet all night, but takes his moment,” Garry Lyon said after his major. After an excellent contested mark, his miss to the right of the goal face after the siren drew a curtain on their season. 5

29. CHARLIE WEST

Created something out of nothing for Collingwood’s third goal of the night, soccering a ball off the ground from the goalsquare and making the Bulldogs pay. Looked comfortable in aerial contests even if he wasn’t bringing down marks from them, giving his smaller forwards a chance to crumb accordingly. Had a moment to forget in the final term with a fumble inside forward 50 that could have resulted in a goal. 4

31. BEAU MCCREERY

Had flashes throughout the opening half and got himself into good positions, which helped him nab a goal assist. Came out from half time storming, accruing nine disposals and 303 metres gained in the premiership quarter to give the Pies life. Missed a big trick with 90 seconds to go before three-quarter time, getting stuck between a shot on goal and centring a ball to Tim Membrey. “He just gets better and better … he’s changed the game (in the third quarter),” Melbourne great Garry Lyon told Fox Footy. Was massive in the second half, but ultimately his game went in vain. 7

32. SAM SWADLING

One of the main ball-winners early, and Found himself in the thick of the first scoring chain for the night with a pinpoint centring kick on the far wing. Did have some mistakes among his dozen disposals in the first quarter, but also had some slick movements. “He’s handled the finals pretty well, you’ve had to say!” Garry Lyon said after his 12th disposal before the first break. Became the youngest player to record 12 or more disposals in a finals quarter on record, before finishing the night with an equal-high 32 disposals at 62.5%. 7

35. NICK DAICOS

In the most typical fashion, the raging Brownlow Medal favourite put his stamp on the game early with a classy goal just inside the 50-metre arc. 11 disposals, six contested possessions and that major before quarter time was telling of his impact — but he still had the odd, uncharacteristic error. “Whilst he’s finding plenty of it, he’s just missed a few,” Garry Lyon told Fox Footy after a missed shot on goal as half time approached. At the most crucial of times with a 20-point deficit before three-quarter time, Daicos’ gut running prevailed again to kick his second of the night, and kickstart a new wave of belief for the Pies. Led from the front as he so often does, hard to fault. 8

36. HARVEY HARRISON

Didn’t have much ball to begin with, but brought great pressure in attack — registering three tackles inside forward 50 by half time. A quiet night in the end for the 22-year-old. 3

38. JEREMY HOWE

Had good moments early playing as the loose man inside defensive 50, which saw him collect three intercepts before quarter time and tie the match with six at the main break. Was stellar right up until a regrettable moment in the back half of the final term, fumbling a ball with Artie Jones hot on his tail deep inside defensive 50 — eventuating into a Cody Weightman goal. 6

39. WILL HAYES

Was one of three players with one disposal to his name at quarter time, before going possession-less in the second stanza. Never really got himself going in a tough role to find plenty of ball, but will be better for it moving forward. 3

41. ANGUS ANDERSON

You wouldn’t have suspected it after his first three quarters, but ‘Angry’ came home strong for a huge ending. Only played 41% game time in the first quarter, so had slim returns early. Much like Hayes though, failed to get his hands on the ball in the second term despite increased minutes. Was just about unsighted in the first three terms, but flipped the script in the final quarter. Finished off a critical set shot directly in front after a lot of gut running to get there — putting Collingwood back within a point nine minutes into the final quarter. Not long after, chiselled home a drop punt from long-range to send the MCG into delirium. “Anderson’s been huge in this last quarter,” Garry Lyon said. 5

44. NED LONG

Was wasteful with ball in hand early, but earned himself a goal assist in the first term and a pair of tackles. Pounced on a loose ground ball with six minutes to play before half time, soccering major close to home that kept the Pies in the hunt before the main break. Was rewarded for a tackle at the top of the 50-metre arc halfway through the third quarter, but shanked his set shot. Finished with 11 tackles, showing his grunt all night. 6

45. ROAN STEELE

Another Pie whose tackling couldn’t be faulted, but didn’t use the ball particularly cleanly in the first half. Got into the contest as the game went on with his attack, finishing with 14 disposals and seven tackles — though his final disposal of 42.9% hurts. 4