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The Brisbane Lions are two-time premiers after swallowing up a disappointing Geelong Hawks in the final quarter of the 2025 AFL Grand Final.
It might be the toughest year in decades to decide a Norm Smith Medal winner for best on ground, with several Lions standing tall.
Meanwhile, some of the biggest names on the Geelong roster went completely missing on the biggest day of the year.
Find out who starred and who disappointed in the AFL Grand Final with Daily Mail Australia's player ratings:
Brisbane Lions
Will Ashcroft was everywhere for the Lions and became a two-time Norm Smith Medal winner at just 21
Charlie Cameron roars his approval as he kicks four goals to blow the game wide open
Dayne Zorko - 9
Was almost disrespectful toward Geelong as he punched holes up the midfield at will in the second quarter, leaving the Cats in disarray. His hard work at the back was the anchor for the huge win, holding Geelong at bay until the Lions could feast on weary legs. Another deserved premiership for the veteran who had an enormous performance that might not get the credit that it should.
Darcy Gardiner - 7.5
The latest pantomime villain in the eyes of the Geelong faithful, after booting the ball away following a held call - a decision that would normally surrender a 50 metre penalty. Not today, though. Was given the task of marking Dangerfield when Starcevich went off injured. And did the job well.
Ryan Lester - 7
The veteran defender has thought about hanging up the boots a few times. He will be glad he didn't after standing firm in the defensive wall that needs to be applauded for providing the bedrock for this huge victory.
Jaspa Fletcher - 7
Not the flashiest player on the Lions roster, but the other father-son selection [aside from the Ashcroft boys] played out of his skin in the first half, in fact, he was one of the best on field. That was until an absolute brain fade handed a 50 metre penalty to Mark Blicavs that kept the Cats in the match. Otherwise composed and influential when it counted.
Harris Andrews - 8.5
Stand-in captain at the coin toss with Neale benched, but showed why he is one of the best key defenders in the competition, if not THE best key defender. Did have a couple of early errors but the Cats could not pounce on them. Has nothing left to prove, an absolute rock for the Brisbane Lions.
Brandon Starcevich - 5
Given the unenviable job of keeping Dangerfield quiet, but did a great job of it for the first half. Suffered a head knock in the third quarter that saw him leave the field. The timing was awful, and unlucky. The Lions had already used their sub to bring Lachie Neale into the match. Concerns for the Lions star who sat out three months with a previous concussion.
Callum Ah Chee was the intercept king for the Lions and notched up a mountain of metres
Dayne Zorko was the rock for the Lions in the defensive lion that laid the platform for the win
Hugh McCluggage - 8.5
The Lions had struggled with their radar early and McCluggage made a kick to the lead of Kai Lohmann look more difficult than it had to be, but it resulted in the Lions first goal, continuing his streak of assists where he led the league all season. Important second term goal to keep the Lions in front. A real leader's knock with some courageous contested marks that could easily have gone the other way. And when the Lions took the game in their jaws, kicked four goals to cash in completely.
Zac Bailey - 5
Could not have asked for more opportunities in the first quarter, but shanked all four attempts at goal, surely putting a massive dent in his confidence. Received an absolute gift in the third quarter, a loose ball on the deck in the goal square, which he duly soccered through the sticks. But then, guess what, another miss. And another in the final quarter. Imagine what kind of afternoon he COULD have had. Did kick a couple late when the Lions broke free.
Sam Marshall - 4
Subbed off at halftime to allow Neale the chance to enter the match. Struggled for impact in the first half, but was still handed the short straw to accommodate his captain.
Charlie Cameron - 9
Produced the kind of brilliance that only the enigmatic Charlie Cameron can, bashing home a critical goal from the sideline to put his side in front - just when Geelong were looking to take control. Dropped a Snoop Dogg-themed celebration as Lions fans sung John Denver's Take Me Home, Country Roads in scenes never witnessed and never to be repeated in AFL history. His second was more pedestrian, but no less important. His third busted the game wide open. His fourth almost guaranteed him the Norm Smith Medal.
Ty Gallop - 7
The Lions have a knack for elevating unknown players on the big stage. Gallop is certainly now on that list. Brutally written off by anyone outside of Queensland but stood his ground in the Lions forward line with plenty of important touches.
Callum Ah Chee - 8
Some excellent takes early to repel Geelong from escaping their danger end, but couldn't translate them to goals. Gained a mountain of metres, was the intercept leader and will be a big loss for the Lions if he goes to the Adelaide Crows.
Lachie Neale made a spectacular comeback from injury to play a starring role in the second half
Hugh McCluggage got through a mountain of work and would have been another deserved Norm Smith Medal winner
Cam Rayner - 4
Brisbane's big game player struggled to get his hands on the ball in the first quarter with the Lions under the pump. Targeted by the crowd too, booed and jeered after his controversial two free kicks in their previous semi-finals clash. By the third quarter, he had just four touches - but four turnovers. He got a late goal but this was not his finest match.
Logan Morris - 7
The young key forward kicked a goal in the second quarter right when the Lions needed it most, after being under the pump in the opening minutes. Yet another Brisbane player underrated by opponents who has made them pay.
Kai Lohmann - 8.5
Required early medical attention for a head cut after an errant knee to the face from teammate Logan Morris. Returned all patched up to take a wobbly McCluggage kick and boot the Lions first goal. Busy and tough floating up the field and in the forward line - and unafraid to put his body on the line. His AFL career is on the sharpest of upward trajectories.
Darcy Fort - 6.5
The former Geelong ruckman played out of his skin in the opening 20 minutes, playing his role to perfection. Was limited in minutes, but did his job and nobody can ask more than that.
Josh Dunkley - 6
Linked well with Zorko to create several dangerous passages up the middle. Was he under-utilised by Fagan? Spent a long time on the interchange bench when he could have provided more impact on the field.
Will Ashcroft - 9.5
Was a revelation in last year's grand final and was just as involved this time around, this time linking up with his younger brother Levi in the Lions forwards. Led all players with 17 touches at halfitme. He had the most disposals, the most kicks, a deserved final-quarter goal and now a two-time Norm Smith Medal winner at just 21. This bloke is going to win at least one Brownlow in his time.
Interchange:
Levi Ashcroft - 7.5
Last year it was his brother Will that was showered in glory. The younger Ashcroft showed he can be just as dangerous, pitched into the half-forward line early. Responded to a Geelong goal immediately in the second quarter with an authoritative strike from 50 metres out.
Bruce Reville - 4
Pinged for holding Jack Bowes early in the second quarter, effectively surrendering a goal. Struggled for impact this time around and spent a lot of time on the bench.
Darcy Wilmot - 7.5
A huge cameo off the bench for the young Lion. The 21-year-old had 15 disposals and played his guts out, despite cramping up late in the match.
Oscar McInerney - 6
One of the stories of the grand final after getting a second chance following his heartbreaking omission from the 2024 premiership side because of injury. Struggled to get into the match with the Ashcroft brothers running riot. But he has his premiership, and that is all the Lions will care about for the Big O.
Sub:
Lachie Neale - 8
Have we seen the beginning of Lachie Neale the AFL coach? The veteran passed a fitness test on his injured calf, but was left as sub by Chris Fagan. He didn't sit on his hands on the bench, helping direct traffic, advise the young brigade and assist the assistants. Got his chance to play after halftime. Kicked a goal on the run, 50 metres out, to push the Lions out by 19 points. Wrote his own script and came up with the ultimate cameo. Totally commanding and steered his side to the moment where the game broke open, with the Lions never taking their foot off the throat of the Cats.
Emergencies:
Sam Day - NA
DNP
James Tunstill- NA
DNP
Darragh Joyce- NA
DNP
Geelong Cats
Star recruit Bailey Smith exploded out of the gates but then fell away as the Lions began to rum rampant
Jeremy Cameron had an afternoon to forget, with a head knock, a suspected broken arm and not a goal to his name
Connor O'Sullivan - 4
Some crucial errors that Geelong could really have done without. A lot of running and 10 disposals, had a fair dig. But those turnovers were costly.
Sam De Koning - 6
Had a golden chance to be the unlikely first goal scorer after latching onto a Gryan Miers kick, but pushed it wide. Copped a clip from the Big O and spent plenty of time on the bench. When he was on the field, was one of the Cats best. Won most of the contested moments he was involved in.
Jack Henry - 5
The Geelong local picked up an ankle injury against Hawthorn and there were question marks over the impact he could have if he suited up here. The ankle complaint probably hindered him, although he was still involved as usual. Just not producing those little 1 per cent plays that he is known for.
Mark O'Connor - 5
The other Irishman in the Cats squad is a role player for his side and that was no different on grand final day. Hit his season averages pretty much bang on but did not elevate for the big occasion.
Zach Guthrie - 5
Watched on as sub the last time Geelong won the flag in 2020. Got his chance with his brother the one missing out this time, after an awful run of injury. But it wasn't to be for the Geelong veteran.
Lawson Humphries - 9
With Jezza busted, Danger blanketed and Bailey Smith falling off a cliff, someone had to stand up for Geelong. This 22-year-old showed why he is a superstar of the now, not tomorrow. If Geelong found a way to win, he would have been a deserved Norm Smith Medal winner. He had 22 disposals, 18 kicks, a staggering 612 metres gained - absolutely influential across the park.
Cats skipper Patrick Dangerfield was well contained by the Lions defence and lacked influence in the grand final
Mark Blicavs provided plenty of utility value, but many questioned whether he should have spent more time in the ruck
Gryan Miers - 7.5
Clever cross-field kick to find De Koning that should have resulted in the first goal of the match. He's a toiler, and Miers toiled until his legs simply would give no more. Needed more players to match his intensity.
Max Holmes - 7.5
Very busy early, putting the Lions in two minds and on the back foot. Had 11 touches, eight kicks and a clearance after the first quarter alone to lead all players. Was perhaps guilty of being too involved, found out of position searching for the ball which led to a turnover and a Lions goal. However his timing to boot a long-range goal to steal the lead back could not have been better, coinciding with injured star Jeremy Cameron leaving the field injured.
Oliver Dempsey - 6.5
Finally broke the early stalemate between the two sides, parked on the edge of the goal square, escaping the Lions attention and catching them napping from the wing. Missed a much tougher chance from wider out. Popped up in dangerous positions, but the Cats could probably have used more such moments from the wingman.
Brad Close - 4
He made the Lions pay in the second quarter with a goal to level the scores, but the usual consistency Close is known for abandoned him here. Went totally missing in the second half, but he wasn't Robinson Crusoe there.
Shaun Mannagh - 8
The late bloomer was playing in the VFL just two years ago. Today he was one of the best on-field in an AFL grand final - in a side that was well and truly smashed in the end. An astute selection by the Cats and his best years might be still to come.
Tyson Stengle - 5
Very unlucky in the first half. He was involved, he was willing, but the rub of the green just wasn't going with him, including clunking an opportunistic kick off the deck into the goal post. It is a game of centimeters. Had gone goalless in his last four games against the Lions and it might have given him the yips, having neither the line nor length to threaten with a goal attempt in the second quarter. Another Cat that fell away in the second half.
Young star Lawson Humphries was the shining light for the Geelong Cats and has plenty more big years ahead of him
Shannon Neale roars after kicking possibly the best goal of the grand final - and his career
Shannon Neale - 3
The commentators scoffed as he lined up for shot at goal from 60 metres out, but hammered it home and celebrated it like it was a match winner. Didn't do much else, but boy, that goal was a beauty.
Jeremy Cameron - 2
These are the games were Cameron usually feasts, but that turned to famine as the Lions kept him off the ball and out of the game for almost the entire first half. Scary scenes for Cats fans as he clipped his jaw on the shoulder of teammate Dangerfield, looking very dusty afterwards. The team doctor gave him a couple of painkillers and the green light to play on. Came out of halftime with his forearm strapped and splinted, nursing a possible fracture? Got his best chance early in the second half and missed. Was tackling with one arm, wincing in pain and finally, mercifully, hooked from the field. He tried to return but there was nothing more Jezza could do.
Patrick Dangerfield - 4
Showed he is ageless against Hawthorn, becoming the first ever player to record 30-plus disposals, 20 or more contested possessions, and three or more goals in a final. But struggled for any impact in the first half, his most notable play colliding with teammate Jeremy Cameron. Just five touches at the main break. Bizarrely, when Starcevich went off, Geelong kept Danger on the bench. Huge opportunity lost. Has age finally, FINALLY, caught up with the Cats skipper?
Mark Blicavs - 5
Mr Fix-It played his usual utliity role all over the ground. Could Geelong have benefited more by keeping him in the ruck in the absence of Stewart? That will be discussed over many schooners for many years. Gifted a goal off a 50 metre penalty but his afternoon was still best summed up as Jack of all trades, master of none.
Bailey Smith - 5
Has been everywhere in recent weeks, pulled up for his sunglasses, his shoes, his relationship status and everything but footy. Today, Geelong needed his footy to do the talking. Bolted out of the gates with three early, decisive kicks. Rattled up 14 disposals in the first half but they became less and less influential. Disappeared faster than his shirt at the beach in the second half.
Tom Atkins - 5
Given precious little time to impress with extended periods left sitting on the bench. Which was a shame, because he was doing pretty well with the minutes that he got.
Interchange
Rhys Stanley - 3
Didn't have to wait long to be injected into the action, dropping into the forward line after 10 minutes with no goals scored by either side. But another player who didn't take his opportunities or provide any real impact.
Jack Bowes - 6.5
Gifted a goal early in the second term after being held by Reville. Botched a chance to set up a goal-scoring set shot in the third quarter. The boy from Cairns was heavily involved and can hold his head high.
Oisin Mullin - 3
The man BT dubbed 'The Nick Daicos of Ireland' claimed the Cats' second goal, finding space and hitting the accelerator to burn his way into range. Shocked nobody when it turned out he is not the Nick Daicos of Australia, doing little else of note.
Jhye Clark - 3
Elevated from the sub into the starting 22 from the preliminary final clash against Hawthorn. Marked up on Bailey and struggled on the biggest stage of all. Lucky for Clark Bailey missed almost every opportunity he got.
Sub:
Jack Martin- N/A
Was not activated until it was too late and plenty of Cats fans were furious about that fact. Would not be fair to give Martin a rating with such limited opportunity - and being literally fed to the Lions.
Emergencies:
Jed Bews- N/A
DNP
Mitch Knevitt- N/A
DNP
Oliver Henry- N/A
DNP
