GRAND FINAL EDITION TOP 5 TAKE 5 - 28.09.2026

SPEAKER_1 (0:01)

This episode is brought to you by Tic Tac. Lace up and get your game on because the Tic Tac line up just got a new teammate. Dr. Pepper Tic Tac. This new double threat puts two of your favorite flavors into one box of mints. And when two iconic flavors come together, the result can only be iconic.

Score big. Try Dr. Pepper Tic Tac today.

SPEAKER_2 (0:24)

LinkedIn is pretty amazing at helping you grow your small business. We cannot stop your new clients from e-mailing you at 3 a.m. We can help you sell, market, and hire in one place. We cannot help you be in three places at once.

And while we can't help you organize your calendar, LinkedIn can help you land more clients so you have a calendar to organize. Grow your small business on LinkedIn. Learn more at linkedin.com/smallbusiness.

Mark Duffield (0:59)

Okay, so take five, of course, for the last week of the season, given it's the last game of the season. Monday is always midfield a day, and I had no shortage of them this week. I could have squeezed a couple more in.

SPEAKER_4 (1:12)

Yeah, the best on grounds not made the top five, or is he going to be in the forward?

Mark Duffield (1:19)

I'm thinking about that. It kind of plays that mid forward role, but I think these guys were the big impacters in the midfield.

SPEAKER_4 (1:28)

Number one.

Mark Duffield (1:29)

So Hayden Young, two goals won, 22 disposals, seven tackles, 660 metres gained, nine marks, eight score involvements, five inside fifties. I thought he was Freeman's best on Grand Final Day, and just a very impactful player. They have to keep him sound.

SPEAKER_4 (1:46)

Number two.

Mark Duffield (1:47)

Caleb Sarong, the master of the clearance, 24 disposals, 13 clearances, 170 metres gained, two goal assist, five inside fifties, four score involvements.

Number three. Luke Jackson, the king of the third quarter, 15 disposals, four tackles, 47 hit outs, four clearances, eight score involvements. So the three freemanel midfielders reflects the fact for the majority of the game, freemanel were on top in the midfield. That's why there's three of them.

Number four. The bloke who probably should have won the Norm Smith medal. So Will Ashcroft, 31 disposals, nine clearances, 496 meters gained, three goal assists, seven score involvements, five inside fifties. Four of those clearances in the last four minutes of the game. And number five. The bloke who I think is Brisbane's most valuable player. 21 disposals, 12 tackles, five score involvements, eight intercept possessions. Guess who I'm talking about? Josh Dunkley.

SPEAKER_4 (2:45)

That's right. Is it possible Will Ashcroft's name is wrong? It's in the wrong tense. Instead of Will Ashcroft, it's Did Ashcroft. Did Ashcroft.

Has Ashcroft.

Mark Duffield (2:57)

Very good point.

SPEAKER_4 (2:58)

John's saying, Hi Mark. I've never been so devastated after a game. The last few days have been hell. I think not enough is being said about Pierce's injury. He's not only the best defender and would have kept Logan Morris in check, but he's the captain and the guy that often gives the team composure in the final minutes of the game.

Mark Duffield (3:11)

I think you're right, John. I think if Alex Pierce stays out there, I think Fremantle wins the Grand Final.

SPEAKER_4 (3:16)

Nick from Albany is saying, has Jordan Clark lost some posts or will Ashcroft quicker than I thought? When Clark went to run him down in the last minute, but Ashcroft put the burners on and got away from him, he set up that Morris final goal, or is it just the Dockers were cooked by them?

Mark Duffield (3:30)

Probably Fremantle knew the game was lost at that stage. I think they had that one scoring opportunity at the last centre bounce, and they couldn't get a score from that, and I think they probably knew the game was over at that point. So probably, he was a bit heartbroken probably.

SPEAKER_4 (3:47)

Hi Duff and the team, great show of the year. Thanks for the even coverage. I'm thinking left field for Fremantle to try and get Marvya or Choll as a key defender from Hawthorn. Your thoughts?

Mark Duffield (3:56)

It's an interesting thought. I certainly wouldn't be getting Marvya Choll as a key defender. I would consider getting Marvya Choll or a similar type of player to be the backup rock, and maybe pinch hit forward like he does at Hawthorn.

I would consider that. That might be something they could look at, and there are others probably similar ilk sort of players you might look at as well. Hey, thanks for joining us on the show today. Freo fans, keep your chins up. As always next year, we'll be back again tomorrow morning with another edition of Mornings with Mark Duffield on SENWA.