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<\/a><\/p>\nOver the past couple of seasons, we\u2019ve seen some records fall in the AFL.<\/p>\n
Scott Pendlebury has become the most prolific ball-winner in the history of the game, and just this season, Tom Atkins compiled the most tackles ever recorded in a single AFL season\u2026 and he is still going. Crazily, Matt Rowell looks set to pass the previous mark, set by Scott Selwood in 2011.<\/p>\n
But as much as we hear about these records, scant attention is paid to those who have excelled in finals.<\/p>\n
As a matter of fact, outside the very rare big bag of goals, nobody talks about the best individual finals performances and the records for September footy.<\/p>\n
But we do.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m a footy nerd, at heart. I love seeing players make history, and as finals are now upon us, there are a host of categories that might see a new name added to the list of players that have been at their best in finals games.<\/p>\n
But first, we have to have a look at those who have set the standards.<\/p>\n
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MOST DISPOSALS IN A FINAL<\/p>\n
46 \u2013 LACHIE NEALE<\/p>\n
43 \u2013 DANE SWAN<\/p>\n
42 \u2013 JOSH KENNEDY<\/p>\n
42 \u2013 JARROD MCVEIGH<\/p>\n
42 \u2013 SAM FISHER<\/p>\n
Who would I pick to topple this record?<\/p>\n
It has to be Nick Daicos. The Collingwood star as, in my estimation, been a little flatter than his massive 2024 season, but a huge finals game could change that perception, very quickly.<\/p>\n
Daicos\u2019 career-high is 43 touches, whilst Noah Anderson has managed 42 on two occasions.<\/p>\n
Others who could surprise are Bailey Smith, Tom Green, or even Will Ashcroft \u2013 the kid knows how to find it, and has already got a finals pedigree.<\/p>\n
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MOST CLEARANCES IN A FINAL<\/p>\n
16 \u2013 BRETT RATTEN \u2013 1999 GF<\/p>\n
16 \u2013 JOSH KENNEDY 2011 SF<\/p>\n
Wow, 26 years since Ratts controlled the midfield in the 99 Granny, to no avail, as North were able to run over the Blues.<\/p>\n
Given the talent in the league at the moment, who would be the biggest threats to this record?<\/p>\n
The four top clearance players of 2025 are all up and about in September \u2013 Matt Rowell, Caleb Serong, Tom Green, and Noah Anderson could all pull a game out of the box, here.<\/p>\n
Rowell has a 20-clearance game to his name, whilst Serong has managed 17.<\/p>\n
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MOST CONTESTED POSSESSIONS IN A FINAL<\/p>\n
25 \u2013 SIMON BLACK \u2013 2003 GF<\/p>\n
25 \u2013 JOSH KENNEDY \u2013 2011 SF<\/p>\n
25 \u2013 LACHIE NEALE \u2013 2021 QF<\/p>\n
That Simon Black game\u2026 incredible.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s Green, Rowell, and Serong again, that look the dangers. At least one of them will have two opportunities to break this record, however, Rowell is the only player to have over 25 contested touches in a game at this stage of his career.<\/p>\n
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MOST INSIDE 50S IN A FINAL<\/p>\n
14 \u2013 JASON AKERMANIS \u2013 2004 QF<\/p>\n
12 \u2013 MICHAEL VOSS \u2013 2002 GF<\/p>\n
21 years since this record was set\u2026 hard to see someone leaping up and knocking Aker over at this stage.<\/p>\n
Jordan Dawson, Nick Daicos, and Max Holmes have the strongest claims, as their 2025 inside 50 numbers are the best, but Hiugh McCluggage and Bailey Smith could turn one on in the finals, as well. Smith has had a big finals series before (his 2021 campaign was incredibly good).<\/p>\n
It should be noted, none of the names mentioned have ever had 14 inside 50s in a single game to this point.<\/p>\n
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MOST REBOUND 50S IN A FINAL<\/p>\n
15 \u2013 ZAK JONES \u2013 2016 PF<\/p>\n
15 \u2013 DOUGAL HOWARD 2020 EF<\/p>\n
A couple of names I did not expect to see here, particularly Dougal, who did this in the shortened games of 2020.<\/p>\n
The kick in\/play on factor makes this a bit easier, with Luke Ryan, Lachie Ash, Josh Worrell, and Dayne Zorko all threats. Of them, only Ryan has ever managed 15 in a game (twice).<\/p>\n
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MOST CONTESTED MARKS IN A FINAL<\/p>\n
9 \u2013 CHAD CORNES \u2013 2002 SF<\/p>\n
8 \u2013 MASON COX \u2013 2018 PF<\/p>\n
The Chad! People forget how good he was in the air.<\/p>\n
Not so much Cox, who gets constant reminders every time\u00a0 Collingwood supporter wants to piss off a Richmond supporter.<\/p>\n
Finals don\u2019t lend themselves to big forwards taking clunks, but if I was to wager on who it could be, the Big Bad Wolf from West Lakes would get my vote. How good would it be to see Rile Thilthorpe tear a final apart?<\/p>\n
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MOST INTERCEPTS IN A FINAL<\/p>\n
16 \u2013 STEVEN MAY \u2013 2022 QF<\/p>\n
15 \u2013 SHARROD WELLINGHAM \u2013 2015 PF<\/p>\n
15 \u2013 JAKE LEVER \u2013 2021 QF<\/p>\n
16 intercepts is a tough ask, but the Crows are well positioned to give it a crack, with both Josh Worrell and Mark Keane the top two in the game at cutting off the attack of te opposition.<\/p>\n
That said, the Big Daddy of the Brisbane Lions\u2019 defence looms large. Harris Andrews is capable of doing the amazing and braking this record. As is Sam Taylor.<\/p>\n
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MOST TACKLES IN A FINAL<\/p>\n
16 \u2013 JIMMY BARTEL \u2013 2009 GF<\/p>\n
15 \u2013 MAX ROOKE \u2013 2005 SF<\/p>\n
15 \u2013 RYAN O\u2019KEEFE \u2013 2012 GF<\/p>\n
Tom Atkins and Matt Rowell\u2026 it\u2019s your time to shine.<\/p>\n
Rowell has had 15+ tackles on four occasions, and Atkins has done it twice. Given their consistency, seeing one of these blokes tackle the opposition into oblivion is not beyond the realms of possibility. As I said, I love seeing history, and I reckon this could be the mark that goes down.<\/p>\n
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MOST 1%ERS IN A FINAL<\/p>\n
DOUGAL HOWARD \u2013 22 (2017 EF)<\/p>\n
JOSH GIBSON \u2013 21 (2011 SF)<\/p>\n
Dougal again! Had his body not let him down, he could have been Harris Andrews\u2026<\/p>\n
Speaking of Andrews, he is the number one threat, here, but he has not recorded a 20+ one-percenter game in seven years.<\/p>\n
Maybe Darcy Moore, or Mac Andrew (underrated spoiler) sneaks under the guard? Between you and I, think Dougal might be safe.<\/p>\n
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So, there we go \u2013 a few things to keep an eye on as players start to accumulate numbers during games this weekend, and hopefully something that adds to your enjoyment of the finals.<\/p>\n
The week off really stalls momentum, doesn\u2019t it? I cannot wait til the ball is bounced.<\/p>\n
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As always, massive thanks to those who support this work. You can see the amount of care that goes into it. I love footy, I love writing about it, and I hope you enjoy reading it. Without you, this whole thing falls over. Sincerely\u2026 thank you \u2013 HB<\/p>\n
Like this content? You could buy me a coffee \u2013 I do like coffee, but there is no guarantee I won\u2019t use it to buy a doughnut\u2026 I like them more. And I am not brought to you by Sportsbet or Ladbrokes\u2026 or Bet365, or any of them.<\/p>\n
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