A week removed from the AFL grand final, the National Indigenous Times on reflection has cast its eye over and assessed how Brisbane and Collingwood's Indigenous representatives performed in the biggest game of the AFL season.

BRISBANE LIONS

4. CALLUM AH CHEE (half forward flank)

Rating: 3

Key Statistics: 4 kicks, 2 handballs, 1 mark, 1 tackle

Summary: Ah Chee, who can trace back his mother's ancestry to Noongar and Dutch roots, was also the first player of direct Chinese descendant to play in an AFL grand final. However, his part of history was not reflected in his relatively minimal impact on the game. Ah Chee, in fact, spent the least amount of time on the ground of all the Lions after being subbed out of contest in the final term. He picked up just six disposals from nearly an hour on the ground. Even still, one handball and another kick – from some serious gut-running – played a hand in two of Brisbane's 13 goals. But for the most part, it was fair to say that the ball-mover was probably overawed with the occasion.

18. KEIDEAN COLEMAN (half back flank)

Rating: 8.5

Key Statistics: 23 kicks, 3 handballs, 8 marks, 6 tackles, 2 clearances

Summary: Despite polling a whole 10 votes less than the grand final's eventual and unanimous best-afield, Coleman arguably would have taken home the Norm Smith Medal had the vanquished Lions kicked one more goal to win the premiership. Took his brilliant, insatiable Gabba preliminary final form to the big dance at the MCG in the four-point loss. Coleman set the pattern early with 13 disposals and three intercept marks in the first quarter to largely launch Brisbane's rebounding offence. He picked up another 7 kicks in the next term in one of the greatest first halves of a grand final. The output in the second-half was quieter but the third quarter alone was more of a defensive fight and less free flowing. He gathered the second most possessions of the match, only behind Josh Daicos. Coleman's efficient pinpoint accuracy with his left foot, while under intense pressure, was the feature of his game in the 2023 decider.

23. CHARLIE CAMERON (half forward flank)

Rating: 6

Key Statistics: 4 kicks, 3 handballs, 1 mark, 1 tackle, 3 goals 0 behinds

Summary: Cameron had somewhat of a mixed game where he was on the cuff, either way, of playing a significant part of Brisbane winning its first flag in 20 years or being a less significant side story towards the loss. While his statistics don't paint a pretty picture, Cameron has always been more of a impact player than a possession-getter. He couldn't get close to the ball in the first quarter, but changed the reflection of the grand final early in the second term with two goals and another goal assist. He was a bit too careless at times, especially after giving away a crucial free kick down the field during the do-or-die last quarter, but kicked another crucial goal to put the Lions back in front right when the match was in the balance.

COLLINGWOOD

22. BOBBY HILL (half forward flank)

Rating: 9

Key Statistics: 14 kicks, four handballs, 8 marks, 5 tackles, 4 goals 2 behinds

Summary: For the strong, even team that does not have one obvious avenue to goal, on this grandest of days, it was Hill that stood up and became the man for his newly-adopted Magpies. Hill probably put out his greatest outings since leaving GWS Giants in his 24 games that has produced 33 goals. Four of them came in the premiership. He could have easily had six, and it felt like had the statisticians not kept count that the 174cms star did kick half a dozen. Scored two goals in the first quarter and two again in second quarter. But like Coleman, Hill's impact was less obvious after half-time. Just the one goal assist, plus a missed shot. That second half though was when he produced the memorable moment that every grand final needs: pulling down a screaming mark, in what was the most influential performance that shaped the flag Collingwood's way.