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.

3. Forwards

HF: Zac Bailey (BL), Jesse Hogan (GWS), Nick Daicos (Coll)

Bailey showed off his powers as a damaging half-forward. His ability to create goals from unlikely situations earned him this spot, especially after a couple of incredible goals in the Grand Final that had the Lions up and about early. Hogan had an incredible series. While the last few years have been mixed for Hogan, this year he put on a show for the Giants. The ball just found its way into his hands and he nailed a lot of his opportunities. He will be one to watch next season. Daicos silenced the critics with what seemed like pure dominance. Just seemed to casually rack up 30 disposals and a goal per game. Rarely has the AFL world seen someone like that ever.

FF: Bobby Hill (Coll), Joe Daniher (BL), Toby Greene (GWS)

It would be wrong to not have the Norm Smith Medallist in this side. Hill's grand final performance will go down in history as one of the most iconic. No matter where he was, he always found an avenue to score. He had the Brisbane defence in a spin regularly. Daniher gave it his all on the big stage, contesting every marking opportunity, and slowly holding on to the kicks that went down the line that Brisbane needed whenever they were under pressure. Greene again was the spiritual lifter of the Giants. The All-Australian captain never died wondering for the Giants with his efforts up the ground providing great assistance to the midfield.