This year's finals series was one of the most exciting in recent years with upsets across the board and a grand final that will forever be talked about as one of the best in history.
But now with it all over, we have the opportunity to reflect on the players that put their foot forward and did their best to lead their team to success.
We saw match-winning performances across the four weeks of finals footy that have cemented these players as big-time players.
With the dust settling, we have selected 23 players that we say were among the best during the 2023 final series.
1. Defenders
FB: Isaac Quaynor (Coll), Steven May (Melb), Harris Andrews (BL)
Quaynor has flown under the radar for Collingwood this season but this time put his name up in lights on the biggest stage and succeeded. His efforts to support Darcy Moore in the backline earns him a spot in defence. Whilst May's run to the flag was cut short with a straight sets exit, it goes unnoticed his desperation to get his defence organised. His leadership down back is priceless for the Demons. Whilst some would argue Andrews wasn't always on his game throughout the finals, stats say otherwise. His intercept game stood strong while continuing to also get his fist into the contest killing any plans that the opposition had by going in an aerial route.
HB: Keidean Coleman (BL), Connor Idun (GWS), Darcy Moore (Coll)
Coleman might've had the best stretch of his career during the finals. He seemed to be everywhere for the Lions and was the director of ball movement for Brisbane. While it seems he had a one-dimensional series, his intercept game was also at his best. Idun found himself to be one of the most important parts of the Giants' defence. No one expected him to be as strong as he was but his work off half-back earns him this spot. Premiership captain Moore was as strong as they come. The influence he had, particularly in the grand final, likely carried the Magpies to the flag.
