RATING: 8.5/10

SHAUN DALY: A relatively quiet game for his high standards, missing a set shot in the second term from 20m. Looked to be playing defensive role on Van Berlo at times. His desire can’t be questioned, kicking out of the pack for Mat Walker’s early goal.

RATING: 6/10

ELLIOTT POWELL: Kicked his two majors in a sizzling 14-minute stretch, including the goal of the match contender from 15m out, along the ground, on the boundary line, the first of that type in his career. Would love to have nailed one from close range in the final term, running towards goal.

RATING: 7/10

DANIEL CROSS: Was crucial in defence, taking a fine second quarter mark. What a way to bow out for the veteran, with his AFL commitments as rehab coordinator at Melbourne taking precedence. Among the region’s finest products. Suffered elbow injury late.

RATING: 6.5/10

DEAN POLO: Won the medal in his first game for a month. Kicked an early goal with typical class and set up Powell’s first with a super pass. Appears to have spiders on him as opponents seem hesitant to tackle him, but that’s the class of being able to keep them guessing, so they can never fully commit. Fine performer again.

RATING: 8/10

BRAYDEN O’HARA: His three goals equalled the input of Pies’ spearhead Michael Newton. He landed one in the opening seconds of the third stanza, nailing a shot in the breeze that many had missed. He also gave the sweeping handball for Gaynor’s final term major. Also played well in last year’s grand final, so big-match performer.

RATING: 7/10

CHRIS HYDE: Tough day for the game’s oldest player. Gave away a 50m free kick to opponent Mat Grossman for the Pies’ first and then scragged Grossman to the ground in the third, giving away another 50m and subsequent goal. Also hit the post from 20m. Has been one of the league’s best for 10 years, but struggled.

RATING: 4.5/10

LUKE DALY: Outstanding. Played on the dangerous Frazer Dent early and he hardly had a touch. Took a series of critical marks. Was clearly the Tigers’ third best so what a way to cap his 200th game.

RATING: 7.5/10

WILL MCINTOSH: Quiet achiever who started on the bench but just did what he had to do.

RATING: 5/10

CHARLES GAYLARD: Relatively quiet, although he took an important mark in the middle of the ground early in the fourth term.

RATING: 5/10

KIERAN ELLIS: Part of the miserly defence which had to work hard when the Pies had the wind. Produced a series of 55m bombs into the wind from the kick-ins, which relieved pressure.

RATING: 6/10

JIM GRILLS: Landed a goal from a free kick early in the second, but it was his goal-stopper in the final minutes which sealed the premiership. Grills raced back to mark on the line, which would have levelled the scores. Albury went forward from the kick-in, snared a point and was seven up.

RATING: 6.5/10

MICHAEL THOMPSON: Excellent job on the game’s best player Michael Newton. Newton still kicked three but, anything under five, given the sharpshooter’s form, was a massive win.

RATING: 7/10

LUKE PACKER: Wangaratta had the wind early, the Tigers’ defenders were outstanding, keeping the home team to just two goals. Packer is such a heady player, he can work his way out of trouble so cleverly.

RATING: 6/10

JOEL MACKIE: Named in the Tigers’ best for his bullocking work. Playing in his 12th successive grand final, the soon-to-be 32-year-old showed why he’s won eight.

RATING: 6/10

ZACH BYE: The lightweight ruckman performed admirably, winning a number of tap outs against the stronger Zac Leitch.

RATING: 5/10

MAT WALKER: Can you believe he’s played only one game for the Tigers and it’s a senior premiership? Could have had a blinding first quarter but duffed his early shot at goal. Soon landed his first and continued to provide a contest.

RATING: 5.5/10

DEAN HETA: Kicked an early goal from a free kick and took a series of strong marks, but a handful of mistakes, like the one where he kicked across field in the third stanza and the Pies goaled, proved vital.

RATING: 6/10

JESSY WILSON: Could easily have cost his team a premiership after being sent off for 15 minutes.

RATING: 4/10

MICHAEL DUNCAN: Started on the unpredictable Nick Richards and kept him quiet. His pace makes opponents nervous and like the rest of the defence, played well when needed.

RATING: 6/10

RHYS KING: Gave away a free kick late and 50m in the second quarter when he collected Mark Anderson, but team-mates love his aggression.

RATING: 5/10

BEN DOUTHIE: Took a fine mark early, but didn’t see much ball after that.

RATING: 5/10

MICHAEL NEWTON: Still the joint highest goalkicker for the match with three, but will rue two opportunities he missed in the third, the latter from 30m out in front with just under four minutes left.

RATING: 6.5/10

MICHAEL BORDIGNON: Terrific. Hadn’t been at his best due to disrupted year with overseas travel and suspension, but pulled off a number of strong marks and clever non-preferred left foot kick in the first.

RATING: 7.5/10

CRAIG EVANS: The former SANFL player didn’t play a major role, although he ran the ball out of defence well in the second term.

RATING: 5/10

MATT HEDIN: Took a superb mark just after half-time, but was goalless and started final term in his regular position of defence. Still for him to come back from what looked a season-ending knee injury was a great achievement.

RATING: 5/10

MAT GROSSMAN: Terrific. Frustrated Chris Hyde, who gave away two 50m penalties against him. Kicked a goal from one, with his pace and run off half-back integral.

RATING: 7/10

MARK ANDERSON: Tidied up in defence before he was forced off in the second term and had to be patched up.

RATING: 5/10

MITCH JENSEN: Kicked two goals, including a sublime effort in the third. Albury had four players converge on Newton, but they quickly recovered. The former VFL premiership player had a heap of work to do and threaded the ball through.

RATING: 6.5/10

MATT KELLY: Wow, what a third term by the little champ. Had 10 touches, setting up three opportunities for Newton. The Tigers couldn’t handle his power and he was so close to stealing the title. Contender for the Did Simpson Medal if Wangaratta had won.

RATINGS: 7.5/10

BRAD MELVILLE: Showed tremendous courage to launch himself at a centre clearance in the third and win a free kick and was so clever to tap the ball forward on the boundary line to set up another chance. A rising star.

RATING: 6 /10

DYLAN VAN BERLO: Didn’t dominate like he did in last year’s decider, but still took a handful of trademark grabs in defence. 

RATING: 6/10

JOE RICHARDS: When Albury was surging with the breeze, the teenager mopped up a number of times in defence. Would love to have nailed two chances in the third term.

RATING: 6.5

JAMIE ANDERSON: Brilliant. When the Tigers were using the breeze in the final term, he took a number of strong marks to relieve some pressure. Fine defender.

RATING: 7/10

WILL REILLY: Kicked a rare goal courtesy of a 50m free kick after half-time and again had the job on Daniel Cross at times.

RATING: 5.5/10

ZAC LEITCH: Potted a third term major when he proved too tall for Luke Daly and that was a big win given the Tiger’s top form. Also goaded youngster Jessy Wilson, who was sent off, and battled manfully in the ruck. Proved a constant threat.

RATING: 6.5

NICK RICHARDS: Tough day at the office. Caught in possession in the first quarter and fumbled the ball at times.

RATING: 4/10

FRAZER DENT: Failed to apply pressure when Luke Daly marked in defence early, but then with just about his first touch in the second, kicked superbly from 40m into the breeze.

RATING: 6/10

DANIEL BOYLE: Hasn’t been the same player since breaking his foot while waterskiing over summer. Caught in possession by Polo in second stanza, but Wilson’s free kick handed him a reprieve.

RATING: 5/10

JESSIE SMITH: Strong tackle on McIntosh early, but then gave away free kick to Grills for high tackle, although it was desperate times in defence.

RATING: 5/10

HARRY SMART: Nabbed Heta 10m out and goaled from the free kick and had an ideal chance to snare another from close range in the third.

RATING: 5.5/10

JADE CLEELAND: Should have marked when Kieran Ellis fell over early on. Went into the game with a query on his fitness after a back injury and was certainly feeling it at one stage.

RATING: 5/10

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