We’ve made it past the first week of finals as Semi Final weekend is on the horizon.
With Semi Finals do-or-die and a place in Preliminary Finals on the line, we’ve seen several huge individual performances drag teams over the line in these matches across the last decade.
Using Champion Data Player Ratings - which attempt to measure impact above all else - we’ve broken down the top 10 individual Semi Final performances since 2013.
Check out the top 10 below.
1 - Todd Goldstein, North Melbourne v Geelong, 2014 - MCG
Rating points: 30.7.
Statistics: 15 disposals, 54 hitouts, five tackles, five clearances, 11 contested possessions, four marks.
Goldstein dominated the ruck in North Melbourne’s six-point win. Geelong went with utility Mark Blicavs in the ruck and Goldstein dominated at stoppage.
2 - Marcus Bontempelli, Western Bulldogs v Hawthorn, 2016 - MCG
Rating points: 27.0.
Statistics: 27 disposals, two goals, seven hitouts, eight clearances, five marks.
A coming-of-age game at just 20 years old, Bontempelli was the biggest reason behind the Western Bulldogs’ 23-point upset win en route to the 2016 flag.
2 - Steve Johnson, GWS v West Coast, 2017 - Giants Stadium
Rating points: 27.0.
Statistics: Six goals, 13 disposals, four marks.
In the second-last game of his career, Stevie J turned it on as he booted six in GWS’ dominant 67-point win.
4 - Dustin Martin, Richmond v St Kilda, 2020 - Heritage Bank Stadium
Rating points: 26.4.
Statistics: 25 disposals, one goal, 10 inside 50s, six clearances.
Prime Dusty. The superstar was simply too much for the Saints on the Gold Coast as Richmond went the long way to the 2020 premiership.
5 - Shaun Burgoyne, Hawthorn v Western Bulldogs, 2016 - MCG
Rating points: 26.2.
Statistics: 22 disposals, one goal, five inside 50s, five marks.
Burgoyne did all that he could but it wasn’t enough against Bontempelli and his Bulldogs as the Hawks went out in straight sets.
6 - Luke Breust, Hawthorn v Adelaide, 2015 - MCG
Rating points: 25.7.
Statistics: 6 goals, 18 disposals, eight tackles, seven marks, five inside 50s.
The small forward was unstoppable against a hapless Adelaide side as the Hawks won to the tune of 74 points en route to a flag.
7 - Luke Hodge, Hawthorn v Adelaide, 2015 - MCG
Rating points: 25.0.
Statistics: Four goals, 24 disposals, four tackles, six clearances.
In the same game as Breust’s big outing. What a finals performer Luke Hodge was.
8 - Kieran Jack, Sydney v Carlton, 2013 - Stadium Australia
Rating points: 24.3.
Statistics: 30 disposals, two goals, high inside 50s, seven clearances.
Put the nail in the coffin of the Blues with two big goals and 30 crucial touches. Helped keep Sydney’s premiership defence alive with a massive outing.
9 - Jack Macrae, Western Bulldogs v Brisbane, 2021 - Gabba
Rating points: 24.2.
Statistics: 39 disposals, one goal, five tackles, 11 clearances, 11 inside 50s.
Macrae absolutely stuffed the stat sheet as the Bulldogs claimed a one-point win to send the Lions out in straight sets.
10 - Brent Harvey, North Melbourne v Geelong, 2014 - MCG
Rating points: 24.1.
Statistics: 25 disposals, one goal, six inside 50s.
In the same game as Goldstein, Harvey was critical in North Melbourne’s tight win over Geelong.
Best Semi Final Player Ratings performance by year
2022 - Jordan De Goey (23.8 points) Coll v Frem
2021 - Jack Macrae (24.2 points) WB v Bris
2020 - Dustin Martin (26.4 points) Rich v STK
2019 - Zac Williams (22.6 points) GWS v Bris
2018 - Max Gawn (20.9 points) Melb v Haw
2017 - Steve Johnson (27.0 points) GWS v WC
2016 - Marcus Bontempelli (27.0 points) WB v Haw
2015 - Luke Breust (25.7 points) Haw v Ade
2014 - Todd Goldstein (30.7 points) NM v Geel
2013 - Kieran Jack (24.3) points Syd v Carl