Bulldogs v Magpies player ratings: The crucial moments and costly errors that decided the first wildcard final

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History was made as the AFL’s first wildcard final was decided after the final siren in front of more than 81,000 fans at the MCG.

It was the Bulldogs who advanced, while the Magpies and their retiring hero Steele Sidebottom were left heartbroken.

Our experts, Scott Spits (Bulldogs) and Steve Barrett (Magpies) rate every player’s performance from the first wildcard final.

(3) Cody Weightman: In and out of the game. Had only two touches by quarter-time, and needed to do more. But then he lifted and had his moment. He made a blue in the final quarter but earned redemption not long after in the form of a goal that gave the Dogs the lead. 7/10

(4) Marcus Bontempelli: Dynamic for the Bulldogs and their best over the four quarters. He booted a massive goal in the second term, but also snagged a behind and one out on the full that quarter. We judge the Bulldogs skipper very harshly. He finished with 32 touches in a typically influential game. 8/10

(6) Cooper Hynes: Worked his way well into the game and was one of the Doggies’ main possession winners in the first half. He also had 270 metres gained by the main break. 7/10

(7) Rory Lobb: Started up forward and desperately needed to kick the Dogs’ first goal of the final term (the first for either team), but his set shot missed. Instead, Collingwood kicked one at the other end as the teams traded goals for the quarter. 6/10

(8) Matthew Kennedy: Showed his verstility across the match, both as a dangerous forward option and elsewhere across the ground. He had a team-high 17 touches by half-time and an equal team high 25 possessions (with Bontempelli) at the final break. His night ended cruelly due to a final-quarter concussion, and he’ll miss the club’s elimination final. 7.5/10

(9) Ryley Sanders: He was in the thick of the action early with six first-quarter touches. He delivered an excellent short pass to Arty Jones in the second quarter, but his teammate missed his subsequent shot on goal. 6.5/10

(14) Rhylee West: Went in and out of the game but, to be fair, he did his thing. Had 15 touches by the final break and finished with 21. Solid and dependable, he can hold his head high. 6.5/10

(18) James O’Donnell: Not an eye-catching game, but that’s his way. The key defender had just three touches by half-time. It was the small things that mattered most, however. Look back on an excellent defensive punch at the 17-minute mark of the third term as the Doggies wrestled momentum back. 5.5/10

(19) Connor Budarick: He........

© Brisbane Times