Carlton's first finals win since 2013 was defined by a consistent effort across the board, while a number of Swans received subpar ratings.
92,636 fans braved the wet and windy Melbourne weather to get the MCG rocking, with those patrons treated to an epic finals clash.
The Blues held on by six points in the end, with John Longmire's men left to rue their innacuracy.
Here's how we rated every player.
CARLTON
Brodie Kemp (B): A bad fumble gave Sydney a chance late in the game but he was solid overall. A great first half.
Jacob Weitering (A): Carlton’s best defender yet again. Stood tall when he needed to and rarely got beaten.
Nic Newman (B-): Got better as the game wore on and was one of the dozen Blues who played his role and stood up when needed.
Alex Cincotta (C-): Friday night was a quiet game for the mature-age recruit but he didn’t stand out as a problem for Michael Voss.
Mitch McGovern (B-): Took a couple of the game’s most important intercept marks and was part of a Carlton backline that stood up for the vast majority of the night.
Adam Saad (B+): 23 touches, multiple bounces and plenty of run off half-back. Exactly what Blues fans want to see from Saad and he delivered in a final.
Blake Acres (A+): Carlton’s best player on Friday night. His fingertips saved the Blues on two occasions and he was critical around the ground as well. Kicked the sealer.
Patrick Cripps (B-): The captain copped plenty of attention throughout the clash but nailed his moment with a big goal in the third term. Was as tough as any player on the ground.
Sam Docherty (B+): Had one of the biggest roars of the night with the first goal of the game. 21 disposals floating across the wing.
Jack Martin (B+): Two goals, both at big moments, saw Martin play his role and more. Took some huge grabs in defence late.
Harry McKay (C-): Struggled before being ruled out of the match in the third term. Twice missed from the top of the square on a tough night for Carlton’s key forwards.
David Cuningham (C-): A quiet day for Cuningham but did enjoy a big goal on half-time that saw the Blues extend the lead to 29 points.
Lachie Fogarty (B): No goals but Fogarty did lay eight tackles and tried his heart out. Did enough to play his role.
Charlie Curnow (B-): The Blues didn’t have to rely on Curnow for Friday’s victory. Played a strong first and fourth term but was quiet in between. Still important with his contest work, particularly up the ground late.
Matthew Owies (C-): Brought the pressure with five tackles but only had five disposals. Almost butchered a certain goal that could have defined his night.
Marc Pittonet (C-): Had the most hit-outs on the ground and will be happy with his efforts.
Adam Cerra (B+): Probably Carlton's best midfielder, perhaps tied with Walsh. Laid the second most tackles for his side among 24 possessions and kicked a big goal in the third term as Carlton hit back.
Sam Walsh (A): The most disposals on the ground, Walsh ran as hard as anyone on the MCG. Work rate was enormous.
Caleb Marchbank (B-): One of his better performances of 2023 and a big reason why the Swans could only manage nine goals for the night.
George Hewett (B-): Overcame two big errors in the first term to be one of Carlton’s better players rotating through the midfield.
Matthew Cottrell (A): A great first term and he kicked on across the four quarters. He genuinley influenced the result and no doubt one of his best AFL performances.
Tom De Koning (B): Started like a house on fire and despite fading out when Sydney got back on top, played an influential role in Carlton jumping out to an early lead.
Jesse Motlop - sub (N/A): Came on in the third term for McKay but didn’t have a say on the result.
SYDNEY
Chad Warner (B-): A decent hard-working performance. His ball use let him down but toiled all night.
Hayden McLean (B+): A breakout game. Took 12 marks and was colossal for the Swans.
Isaac Heeney (C-): Was a shining light early when the Swans were well beaten. Faded as it went on and failed to hit the scoreboard.
Logan McDonald (C+): Kicked two important third-quarter goals. Had little substantial impact aside from that.
Harry Cunningham (D): Was ok in defence. A little below his best.
James Rowbottom (D): Was quieter than usual. Tackled hard but was well down on his usual output.
Will Hayward (D): Snapped a crunch goal in the third term. Was unseen for large periods. Had 7 of his 12 touches in the third quarter.
Tom Papley (C+): Didn’t kick a goal but was at times the spark in the middle. Wasted the ball in and around forward 50. A solid contributor.
Oliver Florent (D-): Was unsighted apart from his seven second-quarter touches. Finished with 13 which is well down on a normal Ollie Florent game.
Callum Mills (B): Went head to head with Patrick Cripps for large periods and had a bit of it himself. Was one of Sydney’s best few.
Sam Wicks (C-): Had his customary handful of tackles but failed to impact up forward. Book-ended the game with 10 of his 14 touches coming in the first and fourth terms.
Braeden Campbell (B-): Got a bit of it and used it nicely at times. Did have a few crucial turnovers however. Has a very bright future.
Errol Gulden (A+): Kicked two massive goals. Had 20 kicks and used the ball nicely. Was the catalyst in the final term. His team’s best.
Nick Blakey (B+): Suffered an early knock to the head. Battled on after that and got better as the game went on. Used the ball superbly and can hold his head high.
Dane Rampe (B-): Was ok. Beaten a few times but as always he lifts when his team needs him. Not his best outing but didn't do much wrong.
Luke Parker (B+): Was as solid as ever. Hacked a few kicks early but worked his way through the game. Kicked two important snags and was a threat as a forward late in the piece.
Justin McInerney (D): Ineffective and quiet in the first half with 4 touches but came to life after the main break. Had 12 second-half disposals including 7 in the last term.
Tom McCartin (B+): Did a decent job in defence, spending a fair bit of time on Charlie Curnow. Took a season-high 9 marks and had a season-high 18 disposals. Was largely non-plussed deep in the backline.
Tom Hickey (C+): Battled manfully in the ruck but Tom De Kooning might have had his measure around the ground.
Joel Amartey (D-): Missed some kickable chances but was ok aside form that. Was subbed out of the game for Robbie Fox.
Robbie Fox (sub) (N/A): Came on late and had 6 final-term touches. Did his job for the limited time he was on.
Lewis Melican (C): Had his moments with a few solid grabs but lacked polish.
Jake Lloyd (B-): Racked them up as is his norm. Finished with 27 touches and 10 marks. The consummate professional.