The EJ Whitten Medal for Victoria’s best player went to Lachie Ash. But we had four players ahead of him on our ratings.
Foxfooty.com.au rates every Victoria player out of 10 from the 2026 AFL Origin game against Western Australia.
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1. Toby Greene (GWS Giants)
A constant threat all night, bobbing up at the right time for his side to either set up scores or kick goals himself. Two goals from 18 touches and 11 marks. 8
2. Jack Sinclair (St Kilda)
Didn’t have the usual impact off half-back that we’ve become accustomed to. 4
3. Caleb Serong (Fremantle)
Showed he belonged on the stage. Big nine-disposal first quarter, with three of those touches leading to Victoria scores. Snapped a crucial goal late in the fourth term that helped seal Victoria’s victory. 6
4. Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs)
No pressure being the captain of this star-studded side! But the Dogs superstar stepped up with aplomb, as you’d expect. Was part of the first centre bounce brigade and had Luke Jackson for company. Drifted forward in the first term to kick a goal, but it was his ability to set teammates up for scores that stood out all game. Finished with 30 touches, with half of them leading to Victoria scores, along with 10 marks and eight inside 50s. 8
6. Hugh McCluggage (Brisbane Lions)
Started on the wing, but also drifted forward with great effect, booting two first-half goals. A bit quieter after half-time. 7
7. Zach Merrett (Essendon)
Began the game on the bench, but came on and had a massive first quarter impact with nine disposals and a goal. Fox Footy’s Jonathan Brown said: “He’s got a point to prove to a lot of football supporters. He’s come back strong after some off-season controversy.” Slowed down slightly in the back-half of the game, but kicked a lovely late goal to cap off a solid night. 7
8. Nick Daicos (Collingwood)
Copped early jeers from the WA locals, but thrived on the big stage. Great intercept and kick to set up Marcus Bontempelli’s first major. Took over in the second quarter, breaking lines and bursting away from stoppages. And when WA challenged late, Daicos was still the most prolific player on the ground. Kicked one goal from 38 disposals, nine marks and seven clearances. 8
Carlton star stretchered off in Origin | 00:48
9. Zak Butters (Port Adelaide)
The free agent started a significant year in emphatic fashion. As Jonathan Brown suggested, Butters was Victoria’s spark and “chief agitator”, always involved in scuffles. Started across half-forward, but his workrate across the whole ground was excellent. Lack of awareness early led to a Charlie Cameron goal, but made amends to set up Ben King’s second major. Finished with 27 touches and seven inside 50s. The race for his signature will be one of the biggest footy stories of 2026. 8
10. Sam Darcy (Western Bulldogs)
As expected, had Sam Taylor for company. Came into the game highly hyped, but struggled to assert his authority on the game with 0.2. 4
11. Max Gawn (Melbourne)
Probably not as dominant as any thought he’d be. Had his hands full with Darcy Cameron for a lot of the game. Will be interesting to see how he goes with the new ruck rules. Just the two clearances. 5
12. Lachie Ash (GWS Giants)
The EJ Whitten Medallist! Personally didn’t think he was BOG, but still a strong performance behind the ball with a good intercept-rebound balance. Epic run off half-back deep in the last quarter that, not only stopped a WA score, but set up a Patrick Dangerfield goal at the other end. Had 25 disposals, nine intercepts, nine rebound 50s and seven score involvements. 7
13. Blake Hardwick (Hawthorn)
Rotated through various WA forwards in defence while having 16 disposals and eight marks. 6
14. Max Holmes (Geelong Cats)
Started on a wing and did a power of running early with nine first-term touches and four inside 50s. Had 666m gained for the game. 6
15. Noah Anderson (Gold Coast Suns)
Sitting on the pine at the opening ball-up. Pushed hard forward of centre and had a golden chance for a late goal, but shanked the shot. Had 19 touches and six score involvements. 6
18. Matthew Rowell (Gold Coast Suns)
The reigning Brownlow Medallist started on the bench before coming on and having an immediate impact with a crunching tackle on Patrick Cripps. Finished the game with 17 disposals but on the bench with a finger injury. 5
19. Jack Gunston (Hawthorn)
Ten of his 15 disposals led to Victoria scores. Desperately wanted a late goal, but missed a snap attempt. 6
20. Ed Richards (Western Bulldogs)
Came off the bench before settling into an old role of half-back. Was often the designated kicker coming out of defence and used the ball well. Slowed down after quarter-time though. 5
23. Jacob Weitering (Carlton)
Went to Jesse Hogan and had an early loss, conceding a contested mark and goal in the goalquare. Minutes later, was caught up in a nasty marking contest and then squashed on the ground. Was ruled out of the game quickly as medical staff attended to his neck/shoulder/ribs area. N/A
24. Josh Battle (Hawthorn)
Solid deep in defence, but didn’t quite get his intercept game going. 5
25. Sam Collins (Gold Coast Suns)
Started on the bench, but probably played a bit more game time deep in defence after Jacob Weitering’s injury. Serviceable game down back. 5
33. Bailey Smith (Geelong Cats)
Started on the bench, came on and copped the boos from the WA crowd. Quintessentially prolific between the arcs with 25 disposals and eight marks. X
34. Ben King (Gold Coast Suns)
Had Rory Lobb for company and exposed him early. Kicked Victoria’s first goal of the game after a confidence-boosting contested mark. Fox Footy’s Jason Dunstall said: “He now looks like he has the confidence that he can beat quality opponents one-on-one … he’s proving a real threat.” Booted a team-high four goals from 10 touches. 7
35. Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong Cats)
In at the first centre bounce then drifted forward with Nathan Broad for company. Kicked two telling goals from outside 50 and played with great presence throughout the entire match. 6
38. Tristan Xerri (North Melbourne)
Played second fiddle to Max Gawn, but great experience for the North ruck. 4
44. Tom Stewart (Geelong Cats)
Had to step up and play above his height after Jacob Weitering went off the ground. Had some crucial intercepts and rebounds throughout the game. 7
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