Ranking the top 10 players from the first week of the AFL finals

This weeks footy was a breath of fresh air, free flowing and attacking football showed off just why the teams who made finals got there. Four of the best games of the season made week one of the finals an exhilarating and energy sapping ride. For none more so than the players, they had to give their all to put on such an incredible display, but which players stood above the rest? Which players stood up when it counted? Here's our top ten players of the week. Steven Motlop (Port Adelaide) Motlop seems to have bought in to the Power culture and played like a man possessed on the weekend. Playing against his old team, Motlop booted three goals having never previously managed to score a goal against the Cats. https://twitter.com/AFL/status/1311626014624104449?s=20 He was lively and played a vital role in Port Adelaide's big win. Hunter Clark (St Kilda) Playing in his first final, Clark played with the maturity of a man who had been on the big stage many times before. He oozed class as the Saints kicked clear of the Dogs and then when the pressure came, he was as calm a head as the Saints had. [caption id="attachment_22780" align="alignnone" width="696"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 01: Hunter Clark of the Saints handballs whilst being tackled by Jack Viney of the Demons during the round 15 AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the St Kilda Saints at Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 1, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)[/caption] He belongs on the big stage and looked every bit the future star the Saints hope he can become. Daniel Rich (Brisbane) The Brisbane veteran has found some good form at the business end of the season, Rich has been huge off half back and again played that quarter-back role with class. He blasted the first goal of the game from down town and never looked back. [caption id="attachment_32961" align="alignnone" width="696"] BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 23: Daniel Rich of the Lions in action during the round one AFL match between the Brisbane Lions and the West Coast Eagles at The Gabba on March 23, 2019 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)[/caption] The key to Rich is not the number of disposals but what he does with the ball when he has it, he doesn't waste a ball and takes care of his disposals. It makes him a very damaging footballer. Jarryd Lyons (Brisbane) The former Crow and Sun was brilliant in the Brisbane engine room, he was superb at the contest and imposed himself on the game in a way that the best players do. His ball use wasn't superb but it didn't deter him from winning the ball and moving his team forward. [caption id="attachment_33242" align="alignnone" width="696"] BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 10: Jarryd Lyons of the Lions controls the ball during the round 21 AFL match between the Brisbane Lions and the Gold Coast Suns at The Gabba on August 10, 2019 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Jono Searle/AFL Photos via Getty Images)[/caption] Taylor Adams (Collingwood) Adams could've made the team for his smother alone, the smother that stopped the Eagles going forward at the death, the smother that sent Collingwood through to the semi-final. He has been superb all year and has a game built for finals. He was everywhere and played as hard as ever, he proved to be a real difference when it mattered. https://twitter.com/CollingwoodFC/status/1312945764474056705 Nic Naitanui (West Coast) Despite playing in a losing side, Naitanui couldn't have done much more. The All-Australian ruckman played a leading role in his team scoring 5 goals straight from centre bounce clearances. [caption id="attachment_62648" align="alignnone" width="696"] PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JULY 26: Brodie Grundy of the Magpies contests a ruck with Nic Naitanui of the Eagles during the round 8 AFL match between the West Coast Eagles and the Collingwood Magpies at Optus Stadium on July 26, 2020 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)[/caption] That's an unbelievable stat considering Collingwood's midfield and Brodie Grundy standing opposite him. Brody Mihocek (Collingwood) One of the many players the Pies need to re-sign immediately, Mihocek was superb down the stretch against the Eagles and played a typically courageous role. His goal on the left foot in the last quarter was from the top shelf. [caption id="attachment_64765" align="alignnone" width="696"] PERTH, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 03: Brody Mihocek of the Magpies celebrates the win during the 2020 AFL First Elimination Final match between the West Coast Eagles and the Collingwood Magpies at Optus Stadium on October 03, 2020 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)[/caption] He threw himself at every contest and put his body in harms way constantly, amazing considering the concussion he suffered earlier in the year. Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong) Dangerfield did all he could, he put everything he had into getting his team over the line. His goal in the third quarter where he collected the ball in the centre square, ran away from the chasing defence, taking bounce after bounce before tapping home from the goal square was nothing short of inspirational. He maybe could've spent more time around the ball but he gave everything he had as always. https://twitter.com/7AFL/status/1311628729815166979 Charlie Cameron (Brisbane) Cameron has struggled against Dylan Grimes in recent times, last years qualifying final was a prime example. However Cameron was not going to allow history to repeat itself, he booted three goals and was electric as ever. [caption id="attachment_42278" align="alignnone" width="696"] GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 20: Charlie Cameron of the Lions celebrates a goal the round 3 AFL match between the Brisbane Lions and the West Coast Eagles at Metricon Stadium on June 20, 2020 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)[/caption] His energy was key to keeping the rowdy Brisbane crowd involved in the game and that energy carried onto the field for the Lions as they exacted some revenge for last years finals defeat. Lachie Neale (Brisbane) Unreal to think Neale didn't touch the pill in the first quarter, he didn't even get close to it. He wasn't tagged, he just couldn't get near the thing. But as all great players do he recovered and did so in a big way. https://twitter.com/7AFL/status/1312004918903894016 Neale went on to have 19 disposals but his influence was immeasurable, his goal from 50 metres out was a huge moment and his willingness to get into the game and continue to back himself shows the sign of a true champion, the trait of dare we say it... a Brownlow Medalist.

		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	COLL	7	6	1	24	140.3
2	BL	7	6	1	24	112.7
3	GC	5	4	1	16	150.5
4	GEEL	6	4	2	16	127.5
5	ADEL	7	4	3	16	124.2
6	GWS	7	4	3	16	120.4
7	WB	7	4	3	16	114
8	HAW	6	4	2	16	108.3

Ranking the top 10 players from the first week of the AFL finals

We take a look at the standout performers in the first week of the finals series.

5. Nic Naitanui (West Coast)

Latest News

FULL TIME: GWS vs Bulldogs – Round 7, 2025

FULL TIME: Port Adelaide vs North Melbourne – Round 7, 2025

FINAL TEAMS: GWS vs Bulldogs – Round 7, 2025

AFL MRO: Adelaide defender suspended, teammate charged for tackle

Could ex-Bomber be back on Mid-Season Draft radar?

FOLLOW US