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.
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.
C: Hugh McCluggage (BL), Jordan De Goey (Coll), Steele Sidebottom (Coll)
McCluggage stood up big time for the Lions as tags to Lachie Neale started to take effect. Not only did he rack up a lot of the ball, he was decently efficient with it creating plenty of scoring opportunities for their forwards. De Goey was just as big. His dash away from the contest proved to be far too much for the opposition. Undoubtedly, one of Collingwood's most important players in this series. Sidebottom more or less had a quiet series attention-wise, but that didn't stop him from all the work that he was doing. Sidebottom got involved big time with the scoring and ended up kicking what was the winner in the Grand Final from outside 50.
Foll: Oscar McInerney (BL), Sam Walsh (Carl), Jack Crisp (Coll)
McInerney again put his name in the ring for one of the best ruckmen in the competition. His work after the tap was very instrumental, particularly in the preliminary final with his two goals. Walsh was unbelievable, to take Carlton to the preliminary final is a feat that has rarely been achieved. But he didn't stop there, in that game he gave the Blues every shot to win and would take out the Gary Ayres Award. Crisp's consistency again earned him this spot. His usual work around the contest was one of the reasons why Collingwood had so many opportunities on goal.
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.
I/C: Tom Green (GWS), Blake Acres (Carl), Josh Kelly (GWS), Josh Dunkley (BL)
Does Green get any better? Like seriously, for how young he is, he made some players look second-rate. Green is well and truly the future of the GWS and you can bet his next finals appearance will be one for the ages. Acres got the Blues into the preliminary final but not only did his hair get them there, but his desperation all over the ground showed how much he wanted to win as he booted two match-winning goals. Josh Kelly became a clearance beast for the Giants, one of the reasons why Greene and Hogan both had great finals performances. He will be another important piece of the puzzle next season. Dunkley brought the skills the Lions were looking for in previous work on both sides of the ball, giving the Lions the edge that seemed to be missing.
Substitute: Lachie Whitfield (GWS)
Whitfield was everywhere for the Giants, often being the man to take control of the ball movement. The ball-magnet was a leader for his side, spending approximately 85% on the ground. His delivery inside 50 was also top-shelf to players like Hogan.
FB: Isaac Quaynor, Steven May, Harris Andrews
HB: Keidean Coleman, Connor Idun, Darcy Moore
C: Hugh McCluggage, Jordan De Goey, Steele Sidebottom
HF: Zac Bailey, Jesse Hogan, Nick Daicos
FF: Bobby Hill, Joe Daniher, Toby Greene
FOLL: Oscar McInerney, Sam Walsh, Jack Crisp
I/C: Tom Green, Blake Acres, Josh Kelly, Josh Dunkley
Sub: Lachie Whitfield