Shock ranking for Norm Smith winner... and the actual BOG: Every GF player ranked 1 to 46

The most controversial Norm Smith Medal decision in recent history has been further exposed with the full Player Ratings ranking the 46 Grand Final competitors in order.

The best-on-ground voters, most of whom were seen in the stands watching the game as fans, gave the gong to Shai Bolton making him the first winner in a losing side in 21 years.

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But Bolton wasn't even in the top five Dockers, never mind the top five players, according to the AFL Player Ratings.

Instead purely on the numbers, Luke Jackson was the game's best player, with his 14 disposals, eight score involvements, four clearances (three from the centre) and two contested marks rating highest.

Hayden Young, who appeared to have swung the game with his two third-quarter goals, was next thanks to his 22 disposals and two goals while Will Ashcroft - who was utterly unstoppable in the Lions' late comeback - was the highest-rated Lion.

Ashcroft also rated third overall last year when he won the medal for a second time.

Dayne Zorko finished second in the Norm Smith voting but ranked just 11th in the player ratings, with around a third of his disposals coming from kick-outs.

Lachie Neale, whose suspension saga took all the attention in the build-up to the game, had minimal impact only ranking as the third-worst Lion.

Eric Hipwood had a negative impact (0.2 from six disposals) and ranked last, with Mason Cox (game-low two disposals) only avoiding a similar fate because he didn't miss any shots on goal, which the rating system always penalises.

AFL PLAYER RATINGS FROM 2026 GRAND FINAL (Players ranked 1-46)

1. Luke Jackson, Fremantle (19.1 ratings points)

2. Hayden Young, Fremantle (16.6)

3. Will Ashcroft, Brisbane Lions (16.2)

4. Harris Andrews, Brisbane Lions (15.6)

5. Josh Dunkley, Brisbane Lions (14.9)

6. Kai Lohmann, Brisbane Lions (14.6)

7. Levi Ashcroft, Brisbane Lions (14.5)

=8. Caleb Serong, Fremantle (14.2)

=8. Murphy Reid, Fremantle (14.2)

10. Isaiah Dudley, Fremantle (14.1)

11. Dayne Zorko, Brisbane Lions (13.9)

12. Charlie Cameron, Brisbane Lions (13.4)

13. Neil Erasmus, Fremantle (12.9)

14. Jye Amiss, Fremantle (12.3)

15. Shai Bolton, Fremantle (12.1) [Norm Smith Medal winner]

16. Andrew Brayshaw, Fremantle (11.5)

=17. Oscar McDonald, Fremantle (11.3)

=17. Heath Chapman, Fremantle (11.3)

19. Oscar Allen, Brisbane Lions (11.2)

=20. Sam Draper, Brisbane Lions (11.1)

=20. Jarrod Berry, Brisbane Lions (11.1)

22. Patrick Voss, Fremantle (10.5)

23. Zac Bailey, Brisbane Lions (10.3)

24. Jaspa Fletcher, Brisbane Lions (9.8)

25. Cam Rayner, Brisbane Lions (9.5)

26. Michael Frederick, Fremantle (9.2)

=27. Logan Morris, Brisbane Lions (8.9)

=27. Judd McVee, Fremantle (8.9)

=27. Ty Gallop, Brisbane Lions (8.9)

=30. Conor McKenna, Brisbane Lions (8.8)

=30. Ryan Lester, Brisbane Lions (8.8)

=30. Matthew Johnson, Fremantle (8.8)

33. Sam Switkowski, Fremantle (8.3)

34. Josh Treacy, Fremantle (8.2)

35. Luke Ryan, Fremantle (6.9)

=36. Darcy Wilmot, Brisbane Lions (6.7)

=36. Hugh McCluggage, Brisbane Lions (6.7)

=36. Darcy Fort, Brisbane Lions (6.7)

=36. Jordan Clark, Fremantle (6.7)

40. Lachie Neale, Brisbane Lions (6.1)

41. Karl Worner, Fremantle (4.5)

42. Mason Cox, Fremantle (4.4)

43. Corey Wagner, Fremantle (4.3)

44. Darcy Gardiner, Brisbane Lions (4)

45. Alex Pearce, Fremantle (0.1) [injured in Q3]

46. Eric Hipwood, Brisbane Lions (-1.1)