'Max versus Pies': Skipper's lone hand as EIGHT teammates cop ...

Max Gawn couldn’t have done much more for his side in a colossal captain’s game.

But he didn’t have a lot of Demons teammates come along for the ride.

Every Melbourne player rated out of 10 from its qualifying final loss to Collingwood.

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1. Steven May

Went to Brody Mihocek at the first bounce. Had nine intercepts and 17 touches, but not his most damaging game, plus Mihocek got off the chain a bit. 5

2. Jacob van Rooyen

Dirty night. Scoreless from six touches Took an awesome mark in the third term, but his kick was immediately smothered in a play that summed up his night. More pressing is he’s going to be in some trouble for an elbow on Dan McStay that’ll likely see him suspended. 2

3. Christian Salem

Approached the finals series in subpar form — and that trend continued on Thursday night. Played as a high half-back but only had 11 touches. 3

5. Christian Petracca

A ridiculous turnaround. Started at half-forward before quickly moving onto the ball, but was hardly sighted in the first half with just one effective kick, a couple of fumbles and a few efforts he’d like back. Roared back to life with a 12-disposal third quarter, but his dominance didn’t lead to Demons goals, before another 10 touches in the last quarter. If it wasn’t for him, the Demons wouldn’t have been in touching distance. 6

7. Jack Viney

Was Collingwood fans’ villain after he took umbrage with Brayden Maynard following the Magpie’s collision with Jacob van Rooyen. Finished with 20 touches, but wasn’t his usual, brutal self when his team really needed him. 4

8. Jake Lever

Stood next to Dan McStay at the first bounce. Gave away a clumsy free kick to Brody Mihocek, who missed the set-shot. Still had nine intercepts. 5

10. Angus Brayshaw

His night lasted just under five minutes after copping a knock to the head from Brayden Maynard. N/A

11. Max Gawn

Colossal. Fox Footy’s David King declared during the game: “It feels like Max Gawn versus Collingwood at the moment … He’s been everywhere. I don’t know how much else he can do.” After Mason Cox had the early advantage – especially at ruck contests – the Demons skipper got going in the second term, taking marks around the ground and following up after ruck contests. Finished with 27 disposals, 22 contested possessions, 10 clearances, 10 inside 50s, seven score involvements and four contested marks, while 11 of his 31 hit-outs went to a teammate’s advantage. Couldn’t have done much more. 9

12. Lachie Hunter

On a wing manned up on Josh Daicos. Had 18 touches, seven intercepts and 334m gained. 5

13. Clayton Oliver

Played a lone hand early in the game on the inside and finished with big numbers: 31 disposals, 16 contested possessions 11 clearances, 10 tackles, 10 inside 50s, six intercepts and 742m gained. Unfortunately not many of his midfield mates came along for the ride. 8

14. Michael Hibberd

Spent the night on Jamie Elliott and took the points, with Elliott finishing with 0.2. Had 10 touches and seven intercepts too. 7

15. Ed Langdon

Started on a wing next to Steele Sidebottom. Quiet first term but got going soon after with an eight-disposal second term. Stuffed up a free kick advantage call in the third term and missed a golden shot at goal. Had 16 disposals and went at 57 per cent efficiency by foot. 4

16. Bailey Laurie

Started as the sub, but was injected into the game within the opening few minutes after Angus Brayshaw’s concussion. Just the five touches. 3

17. Jake Bowey

Used the ball shrewdly coming out of defence. Finished with 19 disposals, eight marks and seven intercepts. 7

24. Trent Rivers

Started on Beau McCreery. Couldn’t quite get going offensively, finishing with 12 disposals. 4

25. Tom McDonald

Back in the side and manned up by Nathan Murphy. Bobbed up with the first goal of the fourth quarter to give the Dees some hope, but didn’t do a lot outside of that. 3

29. Joel Smith

Consistently presented across half-forward and provided a contest. Kicked a big goal at the start of the fourth term to give Melbourne belief and finished with five marks, including three taken inside 50. 5

30. Alex Neal-Bullen

Nailed a set-shot goal in the third term. Had 17 touches and 10 contested possessions. 5

31. Bayley Fritsch

You wouldn’t have known this sharpshooter had kicked a combined 114.46 across 2021 and 2022 if you’d watched his performance in front of goal on Thursday night. Kicked Melbourne’s first goal after a downfield free kick, but couldn’t hit the side of a barn door after that, booting a couple of behinds and not even scoring with a fourth-quarter set-shot attempt. Did dribble through a late goal, but it was too little too late. Still competed hard all night. 5

32. Tom Sparrow

Threatened to be a game-breaker in the second half. Bobbed up in the third term to snap a much-needed goal from a forward 50 stoppage to go with six disposals and three clearances for the quarter. Finished with 14 and six for the game. 5

36. Kysaiah Pickett

Began the game in the middle at the first centre bounce before pushing forward. Inspired his side in the second term with his proactive workrate, leading to a big contested mark and crucial goal to give the Dees some hope. But missed several shots at goal, including a snap in the dying minutes you’d back him to kick nine times out of 10. Finished with 1.3. 6

37. Kade Chandler

Scoreless from 11 disposals and zero tackles. 3

41. Judd McVee

Didn’t look too overawed on the September stage. Finished with five intercepts. 5