Angus Brayshaw – 8
After a solid opening half, Brayshaw caught fire in the third term, gathering 13 disposals (eight contested), three clearances and three inside 50s to stamp himself as the most dominant midfielder on the ground at that point. Finished with 26 touches and consistently put his body on the line for the betterment of his team. 

Sam Frost – 7
As expected, Frost had the job on Tom Hawkins and the much-improved defender was very solid. The Cats forward booted two goals, but both majors came from set-shots where Frost's teammates did not do a good enough job of supporting him. Crucial to Melbourne's finals hopes. 

Bayley Fritsch – 4
After playing 21 games in his debut season, Fritsch did not win a lot of the footy in his first final. But he used the ball effectively when he got it and drifted back to bolster the defence when he needed to. Will be better for the experience.

DEMONS V CATS Full match coverage and stats

Max Gawn – 7
Fired up the Dees' faithful with the second goal of the game, nailing his set-shot from a similar spot he missed from in round one that would have won Melbourne the game. Was not a dominant performance, but his influence was there throughout the night. Took some important marks in defence. 

Mitch Hannan – 6
Came back into the side after kicking three goals in the VFL last weekend, getting important touch after he missed round 23 with knee soreness. Took advantage of a Lachie Henderson slip to kick the match-sealing goal in the fourth term. Was lively and always looks ready to spring up and take a spectacular mark.

James Harmes – 9
Went straight to Joel Selwood and made his night a living hell. Niggled and provoked the Geelong captain and did not allow him to get an easy touch. One of Melbourne's most improved players in the second half of the year, he was switched onto Patrick Dangerfield late in the game. Finished with 26 disposals and 11 tackles, as he took another step forward. 

Michael Hibberd – 7
Had the match-up on Daniel Menzel for much of the night and did an excellent defensive job. Didn't have a high possession count, but carried the lines when he got the ball and finished with 484m gained on the night (the third-highest on the ground). 

EMOTIONS RUN HIGH Tears flow for this Demons fan

Neville Jetta – 7
Had his shoulder assessed early in the game but bounced back from the knock to put in a typically solid performance. Had the least amount of disposals of anyone on his team, but won a couple of crucial contests against Patrick Dangerfield to underline his value. Also laid a bone-jarring tackle on Selwood. 

Nathan Jones – 6
The co-skipper went into the game as the only remaining Demon to have played in Melbourne's 2006 finals campaign. Finished with 15 disposals, winning the majority of his possessions outside the contest (13 uncontested). Booted a match-turning goal at the start of the fourth term to send the Demons fans into raptures. 

Jordan Lewis – 7
Lewis had 23 of the collective 27 matches of finals experience amongst his teammates and it showed. The wily veteran had 24 disposals, but it was his composure with ball in hand that was telling. The 32-year-old also had a couple of key smothers on Gary Ablett as he attempted to kick it forward. A match-up against his former Hawthorn teammates awaits. 

Oscar McDonald – 6
Melbourne's ability to stifle Geelong's ball movement up the ground meant the younger McDonald did not have to do much defensively. Had the footy 16 times and took a gutsy mark running back with the flight of the ball against Tom Hawkins in the third quarter. 

Tom McDonald – 8
Huge, particularly early. Settled the nerves with the first goal of the game and then was able to utilise his enormous work-rate to motor up and down the ground and then get behind the Cats' defence. Had 17 disposals as an important target up forward and took a team-high eight marks (three contested). 

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Jake Melksham – 6
Kicked one goal, which came as he played on from directly in front on his left boot in the third quarter and did his bit. Without Jesse Hogan, Melksham is important for Melbourne from a structural point of view and his ability to compete stood out.   

Alex Neal-Bullen – 6
Booted the game's last goal after intercepting an errant Tom Stewart kick and grabbed his jumper as he turned to the crowd to pump them up. Neal-Bullen is the Demons' best in-game runner and his ability to cover the ground took him to plenty of contests. Laid nine tackles and had 20 disposals. 

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED The match-winning plays

Clayton Oliver – 8
The All Australian midfielder got better as the game wore on, racking up a match-high 29 disposals (17 contested), five clearances and sending the ball inside 50 on five occasions. Had Cameron Guthrie for company at stages, but enjoyed more freedom as Geelong went on the offensive. 

Christian Petracca – 4
It wasn't the exciting forward's finest game, but he fought hard to apply pressure and bring his teammates into the game. Had a few fumbles at times where the Demons looked like getting easy scores and wasn't as confident or composed as he usually is. 

Christian Petracca helps Tom McDonald celebrate an early goal on Friday night. Picture: AFL Photos

Christian Salem – 7
The young defender had the most metres gained of any player on the ground (571m) and had 25 disposals (18 uncontested) and seven rebound 50s. Used the footy smartly and put his teammates into good positions when exiting the ball from the backline. 

Charlie Spargo – 5
The first-year youngster was not overawed in his first final, but as you would expect he did not have a lot of impact on the game. What he did best was dish the ball to teammates, ending the night with three score assists – the most of any player on the ground. 

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Dom Tyson – 6
Fractured his arm against GWS in round 23 and required surgery. Remarkably got up for the game with a guard on his left arm for protection. Was an important cog in the team's midfield with 18 disposals, while he sent the ball inside 50 on six occasions. 

It was an impressive and quick return from a fractured arm for Dom Tyson. Picture: AFL Photos

Aaron vandenBerg – 8
Was aggressive and tough from the outset, putting his mark on the contest. vandenBerg, whose career was in jeopardy earlier this year after a stress fracture in his foot, laid seven tackles, had the ball 18 times and went inside 50 on five occasions. A big tackle on Murdoch, that left the Cat dizzy in the second term, set the tone. 

Jack Viney – 8
Started his first game since round 16 on the bench but came on and made a big impact. The query on the co-captain was whether he was going to be underdone fitness-wise, but his brutal work around the contests made up for that. Faded out of the game late but went onto Selwood to curb his influence. 20 disposals and 11 tackles was a terrific return. 

Sam Weideman – 9
The young forward was tremendous in the first term, kicking two goals from nine disposals (the equal-most on the ground for the quarter). Laid a sensational tackle on Patrick Dangerfield in the third term that brought the MCC wing to its feet. Took a huge mark late in the game and played on into goal to put the result beyond doubt. A coming-of-age game for a player trying to find his feet at AFL level.