RATING: 5.5/10

Had 22 touches with the experimentation to play him in the middle, after spending much of the year at half-forward, allowing Nick Meredith, Shaun Mannagh and Marty Brennan to play one out in the goal square. Also kicked second last goal.

RATING: 7/10

Outstanding. Went into the game underrated, but isn't now. Midway through the first term Joe Richards had a chance to mark, but allowed it to bounce and the defender swooped. Seconds later Shaun Mannagh had a goal. Kept clever Harry Smart quiet in the first stanza and did same to dangerous Brad Meville. Had 13 disposals to half-time.

RATING: 7.5/10

Kicked two goals, his first for the finals, including a clutch one with 90 seconds left in the third. Also took a tricky mark early in the fourth as the team worked its way out of trouble.

RATING: 6/10

Best on ground. Kicked three contenders for goal of the day. The first was a banana from the boundary in the first quarter. The second was midway through the third when he exploded from 60m out, weaved past players and nailed the shot from 40m. And the final one was early in the final term when he landed a bomb from 48m, just in from the boundary. WOW! But it wasn't just his class, he used his pace early in the final stanza to just keep paddling the ball forward. Only blemish was two early misses from close range.

RATING: 9/10

Started forward and used his Go Go Gadget Arms to reel in a strong mark in the first stanza and converted. Booted two goals, but broke his collarbone in typical gutsy fashion late in the third.

RATING: 7/10

Dropped a mark in the middle of the ground in the second term which handed the Pies momentum, with Matt Kelly kicking a goal. However set up a goal for Nick Meredith in the third and cleaned up a worrying moment early in the fourth.

RATING: 6/10

Had a match-high 27 touches. So versatile, lined up on Nick Richards on a wing early, played deep forward against Matt Hedin midway through the second and also spent time in the middle. Played a key role in Nick Meredith's first term goal.

RATING: 8/10

Racked up 24 touches, with a beautiful pass to Jack Kirley late in the third, followed by a strong tackle on Josh Porter and subsequent 50m free kick for a goal minutes later. Just has crucial touches, including a mark on the goal line from a Jessie Smith snap.

RATING: 7.5/10

With Wangaratta surging in the final term, he showed great courage and wanted the ball more than anyone, bursting out of defence. Doesn't attract the attention of the flashier Mannagh, but extremely effective. Had 20 disposals.

RATING: 6.5/10

Had a crucial kick out of trouble early in the final term.

RATING: 5.5/10

Would have liked to have nailed his two attempts, with the first a snap from 40m. Took a strong mark from a Curtis pass in the third.

RATING: 5.5/10

Hadn't played for 99 days after injuring his hamstring. Had a superb kick under pressure early in the third and produced a terrific chase on Ben Speight late in the final term. Spilled a mark on the far side with almost 10 minutes left which robbed some momentum, but, overall, a great effort after so long out.

RATING: 6/10

Excellent. Responded superbly after a quiet preliminary final against Myrtleford. Had a purple patch early in the second quarter with a strong mark and numerous touches in defence.

RATING: 7/10

Do yourself a favour and watch his mark with around four minutes left in the match. Leaping high, he caught it in one arm. And, more importantly, landed the goal to finally break the Pies' momentum. Kicked two goals and also produced some strong tackles.

RATING: 7.5/10

Always provides a contest, but was quiet compared to some team-mates.

RATING: 5.5/10

Super effort by the big man with the club rating him the second best behind Mannagh. His last two weeks were terrific after finally overcoming a shoulder injury.

RATING: 7/10

Kept Michael Newton to two goals. Enough said.

RATING: 7/10

What a thrill for a 17-year-old, who's still at school. Got the kick away which fell to Mackinlay for critical late goal in the third stanza.

RATING: 5.5/10

Likewise for Hallows re a 17-year-old. He showed good composure to set up that attacking move for Mackinlay, cleverly weaving out of trouble. Did miss though from 15m in the second term.

RATING: 5.5/10

Had some tough roles, including powerhouse Matt Kelly when he rested forward in the second. Had a wonderful kick midway through the second.

RATING: 5.5/10

ALSO IN SPORT:

Had a strong mark in the final term in his 17 touches, but had little impact.

RATING: 4.5/10

Did superbly against Flagg and Mackinlay to keep them out at the nine-minute mark of the final quarter, but again quiet. Announced his retirement after the game.

RATING: 5/10

Kicked 2.3 in a disappointing display and both goals were from free kicks. Booted eight against Albury two years ago, but just five in last two deciders. Showed his frustration when he charged at Curtis in the first half.

RATING: 4/10

One of Wangaratta's best players in the two previous finals, but limped off midway through the third stanza, although he soon returned. Took a nice mark against Adam Flagg in the opening seconds of the second.

RATING: 5/10

Missed an ideal opportunity to make a statement when he missed a shot from 35m after three minutes.

RATING: 4/10

One of the few players who could be relatively satisfied. Played loose man in defence in the third term and just got his hand to the ball to slow a Panthers' attacking raid.

RATING: 6/10

His blistering pace allowed him to mark and set up Brad Meville in the final term and then landed a goal from a free kick with nine minutes left. Has been guilty though of racing through and handballing to a team-mate standing still, rather than kicking.

RATING: 5.5/10

Started on Jack Kirley and also spent time on Mannagh, when he played deep forward.

RATING: 4/10

Kicked three goals in a losing team and, more importantly, unlike a number of team-mates, didn't waste any shots.

RATING: 6.5/10

Took one nice mark, but quiet. Hasn't been the same player since last year's serious knee injury.

RATING: 4/10

Easily the Pies' best. Sparked the team into action in the second term, playing on after a free kick to nail a 50m goal. Was again strong in the third term to finish with 26 touches.

RATING: 7.5/10

Had an ineffective finals and he's a much better player than that.

RATING: 4/10

The Victoria Country rep couldn't get in the game.

RATING: 4/10

Same as so many team-mates, under performed on the big stage, although he produced a strong effort against the much bigger Hanna early in the final term.

RATING: 4.5/10

Did well to restrict Johnson to two goals, but did spend some time off after the latter's strong challenge midway through the first.

RATING: 5/10

Played in the ruck v Hanna, but also spent time forward. Missed a vital shot from 25m early in the third when the home team needed momentum.

RATING: 4/10

Kept Mannagh to just one touch in the second quarter.

RATING: 5/10

Did well to keep the ball in play on the far side late in the second, which led to a Speight goal.

RATING: 4/10

Swooped for a clever goal to finally hand the Pies momentum in the second.

RATING: 4.5/10

First game in three weeks after a knee injury and it showed.

RATING: 4/10

Along with Kelly, probably the only player to maintain his reputation. Showed tremendous courage to hit the ball at speed deep in defence early in the second.

RATING: 6.5/10