Jonathan Brown (16) - Captain
The face of the Big V led the side with aplomb and showed no signs of the quad injury he battled to get up for this match. He booted three goals, including a crucial one late in the final term. 
Rating: 7

Jimmy Bartel (3)
The reigning Brownlow Medallist finished with 19 touches and was a good contributor, without reaching his usual lofty heights.
Rating: 6

Daniel Bradshaw (36)
After starting on the bench, was soon in the action up forward, but he kicked two behinds - including a poster. Kicked his only goal in the second quarter, before shifting down back in the third term onto Matthew Richardson, where he was solid.
Rating: 4

Campbell Brown (32)
Spent time on talls (Matthew Pavlich) and smalls (Mathew Stokes and Leon Davis) and was useful. Kicked an important goal at the 12-minute mark of the final term, putting Victoria back in front. 
Rating: 5

Paul Chapman (35)
Kicked a goal in the third term and was serviceable with 15 touches. 
Rating: 5

Trent Croad (24)
Had the unenviable task of playing on Hawthorn teammate Lance Franklin, who took the honours, kicking four goals from nine scoring shots. Took a courageous mark running back with the flight of the ball in the second term.
Rating: 4

Brendan Fevola (23)
Rewarded with the Allen Aylett Medal for a brilliant six-goal performance. Kicked Victoria's opening goal at the 13-minute mark and gave the Vics a 10-point lead mid-way during the final term. Also took two strong pack marks and gave Dream Team defender Ben Rutten a tough night at the office.
Rating: 10

Nathan Foley (41)
Enhanced his reputation with a fine showing in the midfield after starting on the bench. Had four inside 50s in the first term and finished with six for the match. Was Victoria's equal leading ball-winner at half time, before finishing with 21 touches. Also chipped in with a goal.
Rating: 8

Josh Fraser (25)
Victoria's No.2 ruckman had 13 hit-outs and did his part, but came from the field at the 14-minute mark of the final term with a knee injury. Also dished out a strong bump on Dream Team's Ryan Griffen.  
Rating: 4

Adam Goodes (37)
The match-up of Goodes/Richardson on the wing was engrossing before the rotations kicked in. Goodes had just one disposal in the first term, but bounced back with seven in the second quarter and finished as one of Victoria's best with 21 touches. His hanger over Richo was a game highlight.
Rating: 8

Brent Harvey (29)
The 1999 E.J.Whitten Medallist pushed his claims for the Allen Aylett Medal with an excellent display. Had 23 disposals - the most for the Vics - and chipped in with three goals, including the sealer, playing along the wing and in attack.
Rating: 9

Steve Johnson (20)
Kicked three goals - including the last for the night and a couple of Stevie J gems. Blotted his copybook a little by giving away five free kicks.
Rating: 6

Chris Judd (4)
Shone in the second term with 10 disposals and was instrumental in Victoria leading at half time, but had the same number of touches for the other three terms combined.
Rating: 6

James Kelly (9)
Collected 15 touches after starting on the bench and was okay spending time up forward and down back.
Rating: 5

Darren Milburn (39)
Started strongly, gaining seven touches in the first term, and was efficient with his ball use. Appeared to have a shoulder problem in the third quarter and didn't add to his 16 touches.
Rating: 6

Sam Mitchell (7)
Was relatively quiet after starting in the engine room, but stood up with a big final term, where he won nine of his 21 disposals. Also laid a team-high five tackles.
Rating: 6

Robert Murphy (2)
Sent the ball inside 50 four times and displayed some of his polish at times, on an otherwise low-key night.
Rating: 5

Ryan O'Keefe (1)
Had a quiet night with just eight touches, but he chipped in with a goal in the third quarter.
Rating: 3

Scott Pendlebury (10)
Started on the bench, but he was prominent in the second term with seven touches. Finished with 19 disposals and showed he could mix it with the best.
Rating: 6

Luke Power (8)
Started on the bench but delivered some lovely passes inside 50 when he entered the fray. A foot-pass to Bradshaw in the first term was particularly impressive. Had 20 touches and was a good contributor.
Rating: 7

Matthew Scarlett (30)
Stood Geelong premiership teammate Cameron Mooney for most of the match and clearly had the better of him. Mooney had just two touches; Scarlett won 15 disposals.
Rating: 8

Joel Selwood (14)
Victoria's youngest player was relatively quiet with 14 touches after starting on the pine. 
Rating: 4

Heath Shaw (22)
Impressed across half-back. Was Victoria's equal leading ball-winner by three quarter-time, before finishing with 21 touches. Was instrumental in Victoria gaining the lead at half time.
Rating: 7

Troy Simmonds (5)
The side’s starting ruckman, Simmonds was very competitive all night, winning nine hit-outs.
Rating: 6

Jarrad Waite (31)
Started on Matthew Pavlich down back and pushed forward to kick Victoria's first score of the night - a behind. Was okay without starring.
Rating: 4

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.