Rory Atkins – 2
Didn't make a huge impact in his first final. Three touches in each of the first and second quarters, and in particular won't want to remember a shank kick inside 50 early in the second. Subbed out six minutes into the third.

Eddie Betts - 9
The majority of his work came in the first half and it was amazing to watch. Was too quick for Dale Morris, taking a contested mark to kick the Crows' first goal eight minutes in, and had four on the board by half-time while his goal with 11 seconds left in the third was important. Was selfless when he needed to be, thrilled with his angles and marking, and basically lit up the stage.

SHOWREEL: Eddie everywhere as Crows keep dream alive

Luke Brown - 6
Took on a range of opponents including Luke Dahlhaus and Jarrad Grant and probably broke even with both. Had a few moments to forget – a flying shot at goal in the third that missed and a nasty turnover that ended with Marcus Bontempelli having a shot, but was overall pretty solid.

Charlie Cameron - 7
Did a bit of everything but saved his best for the second half after early treatment on his knee. Kicked an exciting snap early in the third before resisting temptation to blaze away in the fourth and gave the ball – and a goal – to Taylor Walker. Then, got one back from the skipper with 1.21m left that sealed the game.

Kyle Cheney – 7
Recalled to add flexibility to the backline and did the job in his first final. Spent most of his time on Stewart Crameri and Jack Macrae, after holding his own against the much-bigger Jack Redpath early. Was important in the final term when the pressure increased. 

Matt Crouch - 6
Started his first final on the bench before facing off with Mitch Wallis in a contest that was relatively even. Won four clearances and 18 disposals, despite being hit flush in the face in the dying seconds of the first term when the ball was fired out of the Crows' attacking 50.

Patrick Dangerfield - 7
So important late in the game, even if two of his impressive contested marks resulted in kicks that were turned over. Also had Wallis as a wide opponent in a dual he won. Intercepted a handpass at half back that set off a chain that resulted in the Crows' fourth goal in the first quarter after they were stunned early.

Richard Douglas - 6
A solid game after standing up with Rory Sloane and Betts in the first quarter when it looked as though the Dogs were breaking away. Had eight touches for the term and set up Tom Lynch with a neat kick for their seventh goal. Ended with a respectable 20 disposals and six inside 50s.

Kyle Hartigan – 6
Played mainly on Jack Redpath in his first final and did well, although he did lose him on the lead in the third quarter and allowed the Dogs to get within six points. Laid a great tackle on Jack Macrae in the second quarter in the middle.

Ricky Henderson - 8
Was terrific. Led the Crows for disposals with 29 and worked at both ends of the ground while winning four clearances and kicking a brilliant right-foot snap goal in the first quarter after receiving a handpass from Josh Jenkins through traffic.

Six things we learned: Western Bulldogs v Adelaide

Sam Jacobs - 7
It was a pretty even ruck dual with Will Minson. Jacobs had 39 hit-outs to Minson's 26 and collected three more disposals, but the Bulldog roved his own work more and was slightly more influential at ground level before tiring. Took an important contested mark in the last quarter. 

Josh Jenkins – 3
Was quiet in his first final. Started against Joel Hamling and fired a handball through traffic to Henderson to set up the Crows' sixth goal and give them an eight-point lead. Made a few poor decisions in the third quarter and didn't have a great game.

Riley Knight - 7
Wasn't overawed in his first final and really had a go after starting on the bench. Set up Betts for his second goal with a burst inside 50, before marking a Dangerfield inside 50 in the second to kick his first goal. Kicked a beauty from the boundary in the third. Impressive.

Rory Laird - 7
Continued with his impressive form off half-back despite a tough duel with Luke Dahlhaus. Showed great composure with a terrific mark in defence in the third and then when things got hot late in the game. Had 22 disposals in a fine first final performance.

Every Bulldog rated from Saturday night's game

Tom Lynch - 4
Duelled with Easton Wood and Shane Biggs and was solid without starring in his debut finals appearance. Found himself in space in the second quarter to mark and kick his one and only goal, but was involved in a few other scoring opportunities.

David Mackay - 2
Recalled to the side and handed the green vest to start. Was injected into the game six minutes into the third quarter and spent time opposite Jarrad Grant and Lachie Hunter. Had six disposals and didn't make a massive splash.

Rory Sloane – 8
Starred in the first. Found space eight minutes in and went for a run on the far wing to set up Betts' first goal, before being involved in setting up Knight for his. After two assists, got one back from Betts to boot the Crows' fourth. So important when it mattered, with a handpass through traffic to Thompson in the fourth also significant. 

Brodie Smith - 7
Started the week wearing a moon boot after hurting his ankle against Geelong but won't be feeling any pain after being one of the more important Crows in the last quarter when the heat was on. Took on Tory Dickson, who ended with five goals, but his contested marking under pressure was key.

Brodie Smith kept Tory Dickson under pressure all night. Picturte: AFL Media

Daniel Talia - 7
Solid. Had the hard task of curtailing Jake Stringer, who kicked two after looking dangerous early. Had a good battle with the forward, despite two 'mares' in the fourth when the ball sailed through his hands and resulted in Stringer's fourth-quarter goal, and then when he orchestrated a turnover out of defensive 50 minutes later.

Scott Thompson – 8
One of their best. Was off with the blood rule two minutes in but returned to collect 27 disposals and pump the ball inside 50 seven times. Was on the end of a handball through traffic from Sloane that saw him goal four minutes into the last quarter.

Taylor Walker - 9
A truly terrific captain's game. Ended with three goals from 16 disposals and 10 marks. Had many highlights but the best came in the last quarter, when he went on a long, two-bounce run down the wing before calmly delivering the ball to Cameron, who goaled. Had a stack of scoring involvements and kicked an incredible 60m goal in the third.

Nathan van Berlo – 6
Started on the bench and came on to mainly pick up young Bulldog Mitch Honeychurch behind the ball. Played his role and won 18 disposals in a solid game where he gave the Crows plenty of drive from defence.