Angus Brayshaw – 5
Not Brayshaw's most prolific game (12 disposals) and he spent a fair chunk of time off the ground after a collision late in the third term with Shaun Burgoyne. But a decisive and courageous mark backing into traffic, in a crucial patch in the third term when Melbourne was making its charge, was significant in the context of the match, and his two goals show he can always be damaging.

Sam Frost – 7
Defended strongly and won a couple of crucial contests when the ball was in dispute on the ground and in the air. Was beaten early in a one-on-one with Schoenmakers, but fought back to get the better of the Hawks forward. Had a number of intercepts to underline his improvement as a player.

Bayley Fritsch – 4
Opposed to Gunston in defence at times, the first-year player had a better game than last week against the Cats as he finished with 16 disposals. Took a couple of intercept marks and generally used the footy well.

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Max Gawn – 7
Got the better of his duel with McEvoy and consistently had an impact across the contest. Took a brilliant contested pack mark at the start of the second quarter and nailed the goal. Then, in the final quarter, launched himself at the footy with reckless abandon to take a colossal mark and halt Hawthorn's momentum. Frequently senses the moment and delivers for his side.

Gawn again dominated in the ruck contests. Picture: AFL Photos

Mitch Hannan – 4
Not a huge possession-winner at the best of times, but had just six touches (the least of any Melbourne player) against the Hawks. Still Hannan had impact on the game in moments, launching at the footy to haul in a big mark and extending the Demons' lead at the end of the third term. Laid five tackles and always looks dangerous.

James Harmes – 7
Took another big scalp in his match-up with Hawthorn ball magnet Tom Mitchell, limiting him to 24 disposals. Mitchell was battling a shoulder injury, but Harmes stuck to his task and made sure the sure-handed Hawk did not have a big influence on the game. Had 19 disposals and laid 11 tackles to underline his commitment.

Michael Hibberd – 8
There were some doubts over Hibberd's fitness coming into the game, but he resoundingly put them to bed with a strong performance. Close to Melbourne's best player in the first half, he was strong in the contest and rebounded with intent. His desperation was twice on show – with a chase to prevent a Jack Gunston goal in the second term followed by courage personified to deny Liam Shiels a mark on the wing in the last.

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Neville Jetta – 8
How good a defender is this bloke? Kept All Australian small forward Luke Breust goalless and won 17 touches himself. Thrives on the physicality of the contest, laying a big bump on Tom Mitchell in the first term which caused the Hawks champion to injure his shoulder and become limited thereafter. The second-straight week Jetta has imposed himself on the game in that manner, following his brutal hit on Cats skipper Joel Selwood last week. 

Nathan Jones – 5
The Demons co-skipper collected 19 touches and he was solid without being outstanding. Jones is always prepared to take the game on and there were stages where his kicks opened up the play for his team, although he did have a couple of turnovers as well.

Jordan Lewis – 5
His experience and leadership were crucial against the Cats last week, but the veteran was not quite as cool and composed this time around in a game against his former side. Still had 16 disposals and exhibited courage in the air with a key spoil in the third term. Finally got a win against the side he played in four premierships with.

Oscar McDonald – 6
The recently re-signed defender was largely opposed to Jarryd Roughead and didn't allow his direct opponent to influence the game too much. McDonald was involved in some pressure situations and generally did well to get the ball out of dangerous areas. Field kicking was superb.

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Tom McDonald – 9
Outstanding again and backed up his efforts against Geelong last week with four goals against Hawthorn – including a decisive one under pressure in the last term to give the Demons some breathing space. Took a team-high 10 marks (three contested) and kept presenting and working up the ground and back into his forward 50. Has become a tremendous player.

Jake Melksham – 6
Was largely held in check across the game but sparked his team with two goals in the final term. The first was a brilliant one-touch goal on his left from 50m just as the Hawks were looking to come roaring back into the contest. The second was a right-foot snap to consolidate the Demons' advantage.

Alex Neal-Bullen – 4
Copped a couple of hefty hits and as a result his influence on the game was slightly down. Still, Neal-Bullen kicked an important goal at the end of the third term to take the Demons out to a 20-point lead after Jack Gunston's miss at the other end. 

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Clayton Oliver – 8
Liam Shiels and the rest of the Hawthorn players tried to target him but Oliver did not let the attention affect him. May come under scrutiny for going to ground too easily after a bump from Tom Mitchell, but it was his only blemish for the night. Oliver's clean hands and vision in traffic were superb and another reminder of how good a player he has become.


Christian Petracca – 8
After a poor performance in his first final last week, Petracca turned things around with one of the most influential games of his young career thus far. He was sharp, clean and constructive and had impact at key stages of the game. Feeds off the adrenalin of the crowd and his 22 disposals, one goal and seven inside 50s were vital in the Demons' win. 

Christian Salem – 6
Salem was excellent against the Cats last week and, although he did not have the same influence against the Hawks, his composure and ability to find targets was noteworthy. There were fears he may have injured his hamstring when he stumbled to take a mark in the third term, but he did return and played out the rest of the game.

Charlie Spargo – 6
The youngster was quiet last week but he did some very good things against the Hawks on his way to 12 disposals (eight contested). Set up the Neal-Bullen goal at the end of the third term with coolness under pressure and kicked a long-range goal that just got over the line in the same quarter. Drilled his second with the final goal of the game running into the open goal-square late in the contest. Pressure was important, particularly in the first half. 

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Dom Tyson – 5
Still playing with a plate in his arm after suffering a fracture against Greater Western Sydney in round 23. Tyson did not have a huge influence on the contest with just 11 disposals, but it was notable how he was able to keep his arms free and find teammates while being tackled. 

Aaron vandenBerg – 5
In the side for his physicality and intensity around the contest, vandenBerg completed those duties but was not as impactful as he was against Geelong last week. Still, he put pressure on the opposition and generally performed his role.

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Jack Viney – 9
In just his second game back from a long-term foot complaint, the co-captain was again huge. Consistently put his body on the line for his side, using his frame as a battering ram and getting the ball free to teammates on his way to 27 disposals (17 contested). Chased and harassed all night and helped set up Angus Brayshaw's all-important goal in the third quarter with a piece of individual brilliance. Best on ground.

Sam Weideman – 6
Competed fiercely and finished the night with two goals to go with five marks (two contested). Pushed off David Mirra to bring in a strong mark to start the third term and importantly chases and harasses the opposition as a tall player. Not nearly as dominant as last week but still played his role.