The Brisbane Lions are through to their first Grand Final since 2004, ending Carlton's 2023 fairytale in the second prelim.
Here's how we rated every player.
Brisbane
Deven Robertson (C-): A quiet game for the young midfielder with only 11 possessions despite enough time on ground to have a bigger influence. Largely pushed to half-forward.
Joe Daniher (B+): Was involved in everything Brisbane did as they got on a role early in the second term. Two goals.
Callum Ah Chee (N/A): Played through a corked quad before being subbed off late for Jarryd Lyons.
Josh Dunkley (A): Did a fantastic role shutting down Patrick Cripps while having an influence back his own way. The pick of Brisbane’s midfielders.
Hugh McCluggage (C+): Missed a couple of chances to shut the door on Carlton and finished with 0.2 from 15 touches. Still creative with ball in hand.
Jarrod Berry (B+): One of the toughest players on the ground who was the difference maker in several chains for the Lions.
Lachie Neale (B+): 23 disposals but had more impact than that given his ball use. Won the most clearances (eight) of any player on the ground.
Lincoln McCarthy (A): Laid a game-high seven tackles and had plenty of pressure acts. His two goals complemented a perfect small forward’s game.
Dayne Zorko (B-): Had over 300 metres gained in the second term as Brisbane got on a roll. Quietened down from there but when the whips were cracking, he had an impact.
Cam Rayner (D): A quiet game from the former no.1 pick with no discernable influence on the contest, despite looking a presence on occasions.
Jarryd Lyons (N/A): Came on late as the sub.
Keidean Coleman (A+): What a game to play on the biggest stage of your career. Barely made a mistake at all, whether by execution or decision. But it wasn’t just his offensive game that had him among the best afield given he also had a game-high 11 intercepts.
Charlie Cameron (B-): 1.3 from 10 possessions tells the story of how Saturday’s contest could have been one Cameron tore to shreds. Lucky some misses didn’t come back to bite.
Conor McKenna (A): Some of his foot skills to get Brisbane out of trouble simply can’t be measured. An elite game.
Darcy Gardiner (B-): Came in as Jack Payne’s replacement and had an influence himself with six intercepts and three score involvements down back.
Jaspa Fletcher (C+): Didn’t appear to have an influence on the contest with his 11 touches but ran hard and made plenty of space to take eight marks.
Eric Hipwood (B): An important game from the key tall. Got Brisbane’s first when nothing was going to plan while his speed and agility were on show for much of the contest.
Harris Andrews (A+): An outstanding game. Wore Carltons tall forwards like a glove for much of the contest and played a massive role in Carlton’s stuttering attack in the middle stages.
Zac Bailey (B-): No scoreboard impact but 19 disposals tells the tale of another consistent performance from the Lions small forward.
Ryan Lester (A-): A surprise contender to be among Brisbane’s best. The unsung hero even kicked a goal from defence and played a key role in thwarting the Blues.
Brandon Starcevich (C+): Not the elite defensive efforts he can deliver but was part of a backline that conceded just nine majors for the game.
Darcy Wilmot (B+): This kid is growing in front of our eyes. Never took a backwards step and didn’t just intercept, but rebounded strongly when it was his turn.
Oscar McInerney (A): In Brisbane’s top three players, if not his side’s best. Got the better of Carlton’s ruck duo, kicked two goals and had six clearances.
Carlton
Jesse Motlop (D): To say it wasn’t his night would be a big understatement. Largely unsighted and fumbly when he got the ball.
Adam Cerra (C+): Only 20 possessions but used the ball well enough when his opportunity presented.
Lachlan Fogarty (C-): Did some nice things but was a surprising substitute for Matt Kennedy at three quarter time. Only seven possessions and no scoreboard impact.
Patrick Cripps (B): Was tagged by Josh Dunkley but threatened to be the beast he can be. Felt like he had more than 13 possessions given his influence on the contest.
Harry McKay (B-): Started like a house on fire but was unsighted when the Lions hit back in the second and third terms. Two goals is still a worthy return.
Mitch McGovern (A-): Had the most metres gained on the ground and used the ball the best of all Carlton defenders. Was part of a defence that did everything it could given the weight of supply at times.
Tom De Koning (C): Another Blue who threatened to have a big say on the contest but didn’t. Lost the ruck battle and had no scoreboard influence.
Blake Acres (B): Keeps standing up in the big moments despite clearly playing injured with that shoulder.
Oliver Hollands (B+): Didn’t have a big night on the stats sheet but was one of the more composed Blues when under the pump in the second half.
Sam Docherty (B): A typical heart and soul Docherty performance. Not a standout but had an impact.
Sam Walsh (A): His side’s best. Continues to stand up every time he’s asked to and gathered 33 disposals and six tackles on a pretty dirty day for Carlton’s midfield.
Jack Martin (B-): Two goals from 10 possessions says Martin played his role but his aerial work was shoddy at times.
Caleb Marchbank (B+): Justified why he kept his spot over Brodie Kemp. Barely made a mistake all night in a great performance for what was expected.
Jacob Weitering (A-): Did as he always does. The most intercept possessions for Carlton as his side’s best defender.
Nic Newman (B-): A workman display from Newman, who finished with 23 possessions and four marks. Didn’t stand out.
Marc Pittonet (C-): For the second week in a row Pittonet struggled to have an influence himself and certainly couldn’t nullify Oscar McInerney.
George Hewett (B+): Clean hands to be in the running for Carlton's second best midfielder behind Sam Walsh.
Charlie Curnow (D): Not his night again. Just this time, the Blues couldn’t compensate.
Jordan Boyd (B-): Justified the decision to return him for Saturday’s Preliminary Final. Tried hard all night and stood up when he needed to, without being outstanding.
Alex Cincotta (C): Had a few important touches and played his role but didn’t have an influence on the clash.
Adam Saad (B): A quieter performance from Saad, who registered just 12 disposals. Still used the ball well but Carlton missed more of his sublime foot skills given their terrible ball movement for much of the game.
Matthew Cottrell (C-): Had a couple of big moments and kicked a goal but was a substitute candidate and three quarter time which says most of what you need to know.