Was good early when few were, his typical searching runs through the middle putting pressure on the opposition and ended the game with nine inside 50s. He made a great spoil late deep in defence when the pressure was at its most intense.

 

Came on midway through the third quarter and did his job with seven disposals. He did what he had to do when he came on.

 

Hit up but did not hit the scoreboard in the first half and was symbolic of a team that could not score. He joined in the party and when the game was hot in the last quarter he played well, hitting up on the lead to give his defenders an outlet kick.  

 

Turned the game North Melbourne's way with three goals in the third quarter and a mark that led to a coast-to-coast goal to his teammate. He then converted a set shot in the final quarter for his fourth of the match. The 21-year-old was brilliant in his first final in just his ninth game and a match-winner.

 

His clean hands were exceptional all night but in the second half he began to get to contest after contest after contest. He was instrumental in conjuring a brilliant passage of play in the third quarter that led to a Sam Gibson goal. He was prepared in the second half to run both ways.

 

Kicked the Kangaroos' first goal and had four kicks within first 12 minutes at 100 percent and was looking dangerous. He then went quiet as Heath Hocking put the clamps on him but returned when needed in the final quarter. He had nine disposals and a crucial clearance in the final quarter.

 

Gave his opponent Joe Daniher too much space early in the game and had a shocking first quarter with no disposals and was close to the biggest battler on the ground in the first half. Showed great character to fight back, leave his man, attack the ball and get the ball going the other way.

 

One of the key players who turned the game North Melbourne's way in the third quarter. He had eight possessions in the third term, gaining metres and kicking a handy goal. He had 22 uncontested possessions in his 27 disposals and became a critical link player.

 

He had 15 disposals in the final quarter when the team needed him most winning centre clearances and putting the ball deep into attack with his raking left foot. He had 32 disposals, seven tackles and four centre clearances (more than any other North Melbourne player in both categories) and was courageous.

 

He was solid throughout, taking a brave mark in the first quarter and copping a corkie. He handled every opponent he was thrown at whether it was Brendon Goddard, Joe Daniher and Tom Bellchambers were standing next to him. Grima took 10 marks and made good decisions.

Battled manfully all night and won an important contest in the third quarter when caught in a race with that led to a North Melbourne goal. He laid seven tackles and put his body in the way at stoppages. Also had 40 hit-outs.

 

Was subbed off the ground midway through the third quarter after coughing up the ball with a poor up and under kick and giving away a 50-metre penalty. He won the ball but did not make great decisions. He will improve as he is capable.

 

Hard to measure Macmillan's game on disposals because he is a fierce competitor who bashes and crashes the opposition, makes good defensive decisions and runs to support teammates. He is an asset and showed why with five tackles and many sacrificial acts.

 

Struggled in his first final and was beaten by Travis Colyer. He also lost a crucial contest late in the third quarter when he was tired against Brendon Goddard. Having played in the win will help his development enormously.

 

The veteran was having a shocker although trying his heart out and laying a big shepherd in the third quarter to held Sam Gibson goal. When Patrick Ryder outmarked him and kicked a goal late in the last quarter he looked like he was in for an awful summer. He then stepped up to kick two brilliant goals in a minute in the final quarter to win the game and go from villain to hero within 60 seconds.

 

He kicked three goals in the second half after having no goals and four kicks at half-time to help turn the tide. His final goal put North Melbourne in front. He turned things around by concentrating on putting on forward pressure, chasing defenders and tackling hard.

 

Was one of North Melbourne's best four-quarter performers in defence. He was as solid as ever and he managed to extricate himself from tackles at critical times to get the ball going the Kangaroos way. He was the team's most consistent player gaining 11 contested possessions and booting the ball inside 50 seven times.

 

It was his effort to will himself through traffic and win the late clearance that led to the first of Petrie's two match-winning goals that showed why he is so highly regarded within the group. His statistics were good winning 23 disposals but the fact he was able to keep calm when all around him were losing their heads was critical.

 

Courageous whippet who made his presence felt early and late. He was most impressive from start to finish and although he fumbled occasionally he was a solid contributor. His presence appears to have given his teammates a spark.

 

Close to the best player on the ground in the first half as he managed to keep North Melbourne in the contest. The silky mover created a goal for Greenwood with a sublime kick inside 50 in the first quarter. He had 17 disposals at half-time but his run and carry and ability to split Essendon's defence was unmatched.

 

Wright possibly provided the game-changing moment when he charged in between Brendon Goddard and Jobe Watson to take an intercept mark that turned defence into attack in an instant and led to a North Melbourne goal. From that moment on the team's whole attitude changed and for 15 minutes in the third quarter he was among the most influential players on the ground. An excellent performance from Wright who won nine disposals in the premiership quarter.

 

Was left playing forward for too long in the first half and failed to have an impact as his teammates bombed the ball on his head. His intensity when moved on to the ball in the third quarter lifted his teammates and gave them belief. Took a spectacular mark to kick a goal when Essendon threatened to halt North Melbourne's momentum. A leader's game from Ziebell who showed he can stand up in the big moments.