De Goey explodes in career night; Daicos wastes little time to look like Daicos – Pies player ratings

The Magpies escaped with a famous one-point victory at the MCG.

Here’s every Collingwood player rated out of 10 from its preliminary final against GWS.

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1. Patrick Lipinski

Seemed to be having an off game until getting busy in the third term with nine touches – the second most of any player on the ground for the period – to save his night. 5

2. Jordan De Goey

Best on ground. Absolutely dominant in the midfield with career-high 13 clearances to go with 34 disposals. The blistering midfield star’s touches felt more damaging than any player on the ground. Bizarrely couldn’t get back on the ground late in the fourth. 9

3. Isaac Quaynor

What a player he’s become. Stepped up with some crucial defensive moments as the Magpies’ most reliable defender on the night with a team-high nine intercepts. 8

4. Brayden Maynard

It’s been a big fortnight for the bull, and Pies fans gave him a warm cheer whenever he touched the ball early. Didn’t quite assert his defensive dominance like we’ve been accustomed to seeing from the star backman. 5

5. Jamie Elliott

Was well beaten by Connor Idun and couldn’t get any time and space on him in a commendable performance from the Giants defender. Just wasn’t his night, but he still fought hard until the final siren. 3

6. Tom Mitchell

Some good touches in the clinches early. A very solid, workman-like performance from the Magpies midfield recruit. 7

7. Josh Daicos

His usual hard-working self with strong-two way running on the wing. A huge contest won on the wing inside the final minute was massive. 7

10. Scott Pendlebury

The trusty, smooth-moving Magpies veteran was up to his usual tricks in the midfield. Just plays a different game to others. 7

11. Dan McStay

Most dominant key forward on the night and probably should’ve finished with more than two goals. Had Sam Taylor following him too, which is no easy feat. Night ended prematurely in the third term due to injury in what could be a heartbreak grand final story. 7

14. Darcy Cameron

Didn’t seem have much of an impact – both in the ruck and as a key forward – though did step up with some key marks late. 5

22. Steele Sidebottom

A big-time player. Matched up on a wing on Josh Kelly, with both players throwing plenty of punches. His experience was huge. 7

23. Bobby Hill

Couldn’t quite back up his epic Qualifying Final and had little impact when the ball went to ground, which he’s usually so good at. Still finished with one goal. 3

25. Jack Crisp

His speed a real X-factor for the Pies in the third when they needed more run. One of his side’s more likely and dangerous players on the night even if he didn’t find a ton of the footy. 6

28. Nathan Murphy

Held up defensively all night including some big moments in the fourth. Took eight intercepts. 6

30. Darcy Moore

Though he held the in-form Jesse Hogan to one goal, which was a big win, the Magpies skipper didn’t have his usual intercepting and offensive impact. Shows how highly we now mark the skipper. He did fight hard to the death when the defence was under the pump and provided elite coverage. 6

31. Beau McCreery

McCreery never needs much of the ball to impact, but even he didn’t quite influence with limited possessions in a high-pressure game. 3

32. Will Hoskin-Elliott

After an excellent Qualifying Final, Hoskin-Elliott was a non-factor in this one, while he got caught holding the ball in the fourth in a crucial contest. 2

33. Jack Ginnivan

Started as the sub and came on for Dan McStay in the fourth quarter, but couldn’t quite get into the tempo of an intense final. N/A

35. Nick Daicos

A funny old start for the returning stud in limited game time. But he eventually got going and his class was evident throughout in a scrappy dogfight. Huge eruption when the Brownlow contender first came on the field in a highlight on the night. Huge effort for his first game since Round 21. 8

37. Oleg Markov

Won a critical contest in the third term that led to a Pies goal when they were charging – and his hard-nosed apporoach sums up his overall transition. Not as much of the ball as usual though. 4

38. Jeremy Howe

The old wise head was particularly busy early and stood up with some massive defensive moments for his side. 7

41. Brody Mihocek

An almost night where his kicking in front of goal let him down, with Jack Buckley for company. Felt like all his touches were still valuable. 5

46. Mason Cox

Had more influence than Cameron in the ruck and kicked an important goal in the fourth. Played his role. 6