Brisbane Lions player ratings: Who starred and who struggled in 2025 premiership triumph

Tom Naghten

Brisbane Lions player ratings: Who starred and who struggled in 2025 premiership triumph image

Brisbane have cemented their legacy as the dominant team of the era with a thumping 47-point win over the Cats to take out the 2025 premiership.

Following on from their 60-point win over Sydney on the same stage last year, the Lions proved way too good, running away with the contest on the back of a near-flawless second half.

Will Aschroft claimed a second Norm Smith Medal, but a host of his teammates turned in brilliant performances on the biggest day of the year.

MORE: GEELONG RATINGS: Who struggled in GF shocker

Read on for our rating of every Lion:

Brisbane Lions Grand Final player ratings

Will Ashcroft - 9.5

Got off to a nice start when the game was at its hottest and then went to another level in the second quarter to be best on ground at the main break. Didn't let up after half-time and ended up with 32 disposals, 10 clearances and eight tackles. A two-time Norm Smith Medal winner at 21. Freak.

Darcy Gardiner - 9

A colossus in the first half, desperate in the air and competitive at every turn. An absolute nightmare for opposition forwards to deal with. Missed out last year, making this one all the more sweet. Brilliant performance. 

Jaspa Fletcher - 9

Looked among the most comfortable Lions in the opening quarter, with some very classy involvements. So composed on the footy and tough when he needed to be. 29 touches in a mammoth game.

Hugh McCluggage - 9

Fought through the tag of Oisin Mullin and had a big impact as Brisbane caught fire in the second with a goal and two assists. Got loose late on and made the most of it, finishing with four goals.

Harris Andrews - 8.5

Several important intercepts and spoils in the first half and continued to wear the likes of Jeremy Cameron and Shannon Neale like a cheap suit. A dominant game from the skipper. So reliable.

Charlie Cameron - 8.5

Kicked a typically stunning goal in the second quarter but had some sloppy moments, losing his feet and losing his man. One of several Brisbane smalls who were too much to handle when the ball hit the ground. His relentless forward pressure paid dividends as he got off the chain in the second half to finish with four goals.

Charlie Cameron

Zac Bailey - 8.5

Was a nuisance early but wasteful with the footy, kicking four behinds in the first quarter. Settled well in the second quarter to be one of Brisbane's most influential in the half. Finally broke through on the scoreboard and finished with three goals.

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Josh Dunkley - 8

Didn't have a heap of the footy but put the clamps on Patrick Dangerfield and Bailey Smith at times. Some hugely important touches as Brisbane got on a roll in the third. Much of his influence won't be found on the stat sheet but the Lions brainstrust would be thrilled with his game.

Ryan Lester - 8

His experience came in handy during a frenetic opening, keeping his cool in the Brisbane backline. Never gives up on a contest and made his opponent earn every touch, if they even got their hands on it at all.

Lachie Neale - 8

Subbed on at half-time and made an immediate impact around the contest before chiming in with a huge goal. A lot of pressure to perform given his calf issue but showed his class and was among the best players on the ground after he came on.

Brandon Starcevich - 7.5

Made life tough for whoever he was on, including Cameron and Dangerfield. Was subbed out with a concussion but his efforts on the Cats' guns didn't go unnoticed.

Dayne Zorko 7.5

His impact was limited early but he came to life in the second quarter as the Lions got on a roll, controlling their ball movement from the back half. At his efficient and damaging best with the footy.

Logan Morris - 7.5

Competed strongly against the Geelong talls to give his teammates plenty to work with. The best of the Brisbane targets while his smalls got the plaudits.

Kai Lohmann - 7.5

Despite a nasty knock to the head, came back on and looked dangerous every time the ball went forward. Continued to compete hard despite being outsized and got the rewards late as the Lions ran riot.

Levi Ashcroft - 7.5

Lifted the roof off the 'G with a brilliant individual goal in the second quarter to put a stamp on his first Grand Final.

Callum Ah Chee - 7

A cool head during a frantic opening with some nice touches. Repelled many a Geelong attack and rebounded with interest.

Darcy Fort - 7

Got the better of Rhys Stanley and Mark Blicavs in the ruck and was physical around the contest when the heat was on. A two-time premiership- winning ruckman.

Darcy Wilmot - 6.5

Solid without standing out. Finished with 17 disposals and several important interventions.

Bruce Reville - 6.5

A bit of everything for Bruce in the first half, with some classy interventions offset by sloppy ball use and free kicks. Fought hard all day.

Cam Rayner - 6

Was slow to find his way into the contest, with Mark O'Connor getting the chocolates in the first half. Might have been on track for a rating of three or four but bullied his way into the final quarter with several crunching tackles to help break the Cats.

Cam Rayner

Oscar McInerney - 5.5

Didn't stuff the stat sheet but played a selfless role and competed hard all day. After the heart-break of missing out last year, the big man won't be losing any sleep over his numbers.

Ty Gallop - 5

A few nervy touches early for the youngster. Attacked the footy hard at some key moments but wasn't able to have a sustained impact.

Sam Marshall - 3.5

Subbed out at half-time after just four touches. Couldn't quite find the pace on the big occasion.

Tom Naghten

Tom Naghten is a senior editor at The Sporting News Australia where he's been part of the team since 2017. He predominantly covers boxing and MMA. In his spare time, he likes to watch Robbie Ahmat's goal against the Kangaroos at the SCG in 2000.