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Grant Birchall - 6
A polished performance from the half-back. A great left foot snap for goal during the first quarter helped get the momentum going his team's way. Used the ball superbly for most of his 22 disposals.

Luke Breust – 5
Had nine touches in the first quarter but drifted out of it after that. Eleven of his 18 disposals were contested, but for a man that has made his name as a goal-scoring small forward, had little impact in the forward 50.

Shaun Burgoyne – 7
Mr September delivered again. Burgoyne was particularly influential early and his courageous mark in the first term when running back with the flight into Nic Naitanui's path was inspirational. Finished with 26 disposals and was all class.

Taylor Duryea – 6
After a great preliminary final, backed it up with another solid performance in the big one. Matched his performance against the Dockers with another 26 touches, spending time on Mark LeCras and Luke Shuey when he drifted forward. Took a crucial intercept mark when the Eagles were surging in the third quarter in front of a wide-open Jack Darling. 

James Frawley - 8
Was brought to the club for this moment and delivered in spades. Spent the entire day on Josh Kennedy and delivered a commanding performance, keeping him to a paltry nine touches – most in the last quarter – and no goals. Outpointed the Coleman medallist numerous times, including a third quarter spoil and regather that he then delivered to Jack Gunston for a goal. Super performance.

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Josh Gibson - 7
With Frawley, Brian Lake and Ben Stratton doing their jobs, Gibson ran around without caring about an opponent for much of the day and cashed in. The All Australian finished with 29 disposals and eight marks, working beautifully with Birchall to transition the ball from defence to the midfield.

Josh Gibson delivers a trademark spoil. Picture: AFL Media

Jack Gunston – 7
Was the centre of much speculation during the week after missing the past fortnight with an ankle injury, but Gunston solidified his reputation as a big game player. For the second Grand Final in three years he finished with four goals. Was the beneficiary of some great service from up the field, snapping truly off both feet and taking a great contested grab for another goal in the third.

David Hale – 5
As expected he was outpointed by Naitanui at the centre bounces, but the veteran ruckman battled manfully around the ground to negate the Eagle star's influence. Naitanui was West Coast's trump card, and in tandem with Ben McEvoy, Hale limited his impact. Was subbed off late in the third quarter with the game in hand.

Bradley Hill – 4
A quiet day for Hill, finishing with 12 touches and a goal. Hobbled off nursing a sore ankle after the goal, but came back on and struggled to get involved. Did a solid job of following Masten when spending time on him.

Luke Hodge – 8
Another sublime performance from the skipper and two-time Norm Smith medallist. Was composed when the heat was on then provided one of the Grand Final highlights with his remarkable left-footed banana from the left boundary line during the second quarter. Controlled the midfield tempo with his good mates Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis.

Brian Lake – 7
Delivered when it counted most – again. Lake was a tower of strength in the back half, completely negating Callum Sinclair and helping Frawley and Stratton to nullify the other Eagles forwards. His desperation was no more evident than a full-length dive on the line in the final quarter to prevent a seemingly inevitable Josh Hill goal.

Jordan Lewis – 7
After giving away the free kick to Shuey for the first goal of the match, hardly put a foot wrong. Was heavily involved the rest of the way, finishing with 26 touches and nine marks.

Ben McEvoy – 5
Shared time on Naitanui with Hale and did a solid job. Had 20 hitouts, was good around the contest and contributed with a goal after outmarking Andrew Gaff.

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Sam Mitchell – 8
Unlucky to not win the Norm Smith. Mitchell had a game-high 34 touches, six clearances and set up goals for both Birchall and Matt Suckling with brilliant handpasses from congestion. Found space all day where others struggled.

Paul Puopolo – 4
Was his usual energetic self but struggled to get involved. Had a third-quarter burst where he set up goals for Rioli and Gunston, but was generally quiet.

WATCH: Cyril's stunning showreel

Cyril Rioli – 9
The little magician emptied his full bag of tricks in a virtuoso display that rightfully claimed him the Norm Smith Medal. His 18 disposals, 12 marks, two goals and four goal assists were good, but told only half the story. Rioli found space at will to set up goals by hand and foot, ran 40m to mow down Hutchings and set up another goal, and thieved a McGovern handpass that resulted in yet another. Every touch was magic.

It was a well deserved Norm Smith win for Cyril Rioli. Picture: AFL Media

Jarryd Roughead – 7
Did most of his damage around the ground and got better as the game wore on. Roughead set up Rioli's first goal after shrugging a tackle and was a powerhouse at the stoppages, with one memorable ball-and-all tackle on Eagles skipper Shannon Hurn.

Ryan Schoenmakers – 7
Some felt he was lucky to play, but the much-maligned Schoenmakers answered his critics with the best game of his career. Had 21 disposals, kicked a goal, took a speccie on centre wing, and even baulked an opponent and delivered beautifully into the forward line. Got a bigger cheer than any Hawk following the match.

Liam Shiels – 6
A quiet day for Shiels but was able to curb the influence of Priddis around the stoppages. Averaged the third most tackles in the competition and again topped his team's tally with six, to go along with 17 touches.

Isaac Smith – 8
Among the absolute best for his team, Smith ran relentlessly on his left wing to finish with 23 disposals and three goals. Two of his goals will be long remembered – one a thumping bomb from 55m and the other a dribbled effort from deep in the forward pocket. Also saved a dicey first quarter situation with a courageous mark close to goal.

Ben Stratton – 7
Workmanlike effort from a man that spent much of the day on Jack Darling. Was outworked a few times, but his role allowed Gibson and Lake to come across as third men up to impact contests.

Matthew Suckling – 4
Started as the sub and came on late in the third term, making an immediate impact with a snapped left foot goal from 25m.

THE COACH 
Alastair Clarkson - 8
Ended up having a pretty easy day at the office, but sticking with Shoenmakers when it would have been easier to go with Hartung proved a masterstroke. Freed up Lake and Gibson to impact contests and then watched his midfield dominate.

CLARKO AMONG THE GREATS: Most premierships as coach

FlagsCoach
7Jock McHale (Collingwood)
6Norm Smith (Melbourne)
5John Worrall (Carlton, Essendon), Frank Hughes (Melbourne, Richmond)
4ALASTAIR CLARKSON (Hawthorn), Leigh Matthews (Collingwood, Brisbane Lions), Tom Hafey (Richmond), Dick Reynolds (Essendon), Allan Jeans (St Kilda, Hawthorn), Ron Barassi (Carlton, North Melbourne), David Parkin (Hawthorn, Carlton), Kevin Sheedy (Essendon)