Brisbane Lions v Adelaide player ratings: Fagan’s men who stood tallest after embarrassment against Swans

Scott Spits and Steve Barrett Updated September 12, 2026 — 9:38pm , first published 9:03pm

The Brisbane Lions lost their first final last year. What happened next? A barnstorming run through their semi-final and preliminary final, back to the big dance, and another premiership to top it all off.

They’re on track for a repeat dose this year after obliterating the Crows at the Gabba in what became Adelaide favourite son Taylor Walker’s farewell game.

Scott Spits (Brisbane Lions) and Steve Barrett (Adelaide) run their eye over every player in from the semi-final.

(1) Kai Lohmann: He was creative for most of the match, kicking the opening goal after only 30 seconds. Just as importantly, he put a block on and allowed Zac Bailey to kick his opener after four minutes. 8/10

(2) Sam Draper: Tried and tried but was not among Brisbane’s best as the club’s second ruck. Had close to 60 per cent game time. 4.5/10

(3) Jaspa Fletcher: A good game by the 22-year-old, who is fast approaching 100 matches. He got plenty of early touches (seven in the first quarter) as Brisbane set up their impressive victory. 6/10

(4) Oscar Allen: There could be a “watch” on the former Eagle after tonight. He had just five touches by the final break and two behinds. The Lions will want a bit more out of him in their flag push. 4/10

(5) Josh Dunkley: One of the Lions’ best and typically strong at the coalface. He did the one-percenters regularly (no surprise there), and spent time on Izak Rankine and nullified his influence. He got plenty of the ball himself, too. 8/10

(6) Hugh McCluggage: Yet again, he didn’t get a lot of the ball for a player of his class. It was notable that Chris Fagan came to his defence during the week. McCluggage has had his injury woes this year, but importantly he was up and going early when the Lions stoned the Crows with five goals in eight minutes. 7/10

(7) Jarrod Berry: He finished with 19 touches and was a solid contributor. Unfortunately, Berry was off-line with an early shot at goal when the Lions were heaving. By that stage, Brisbane had 10 forward entries to Adelaide’s zero. 6/10

(8) Will Ashcroft: Despite their qualifying final loss, the Lions have again set themselves up perfectly for another flag push, and Ashcroft’s form reflects that. He got better and better as the match wore on, as the Lions found their groove ahead of next week’s preliminary final against the Hawks. The two-time Norm Smith medallist finished with 30 touches. 8.5/10

(9) Lachie Neale: The veteran star was not among Brisbane’s match-winners, but he still picked up 21 possessions as others lifted around him. That’s probably a good sign for the Lions as they eye off a hat-trick of flags, and needing a multitude of contributors 6.5/10

(10) Levi Ashcroft: Quiet by his standards, he spent time on star Crows skipper Jordan Dawson and was probably shaded by him. 5.5/10