5 – Ethan Curran (NNW United) – Young gun who deservingly won the best-on-ground medal. His outside run terrorised Kerang all afternoon, with the Blues’ onballers having no answer for Curran’s speed and ball use. Kicked the opening goal of the match two minutes in to help NNW United settle their nerves, before having a hand in several others as the game progressed.
4 – Joel Walsh (NNW United) – Was always going to hold the key to NNW United’s chances of victory – and so it proved. Impacted the game every time the ball was in his vicinity and had a hand in several goals with his accurate boot. Came into the game in the second half behind the ball as Kerang began to push hard, intercepting several errant Blues forward entries and killing any chance of a revival.
3 – Ethan Saville (NNW United) – The Demons came into the grand final needing a big performance from their inside midfielder, with Saville producing in spades for his team. Dominated the first half around the contest and was able to bring his outside runners more into the game in the second half as the game opened up. Kicked the final goal of the grand final: the perfect reward for a red-and-blue warrior.
2 – Zach Threadgold (NNW United) – Was instrumental in keeping Kerang livewire forward Brett Kennedy quiet, with the uncompromising defender sticking to his task all afternoon. Kept Kennedy goalless for the opening three quarters, which is no mean feat considering the Blues’ forward came into the grand final having kicked 14 goals from his past three games.
1 – Jordan Iudica (NNW United) – Despite coming into the game under an injury cloud, Iudica was at his ball-winning best across half-back and through the midfield for the Demons. Set up several goals and was among the best players on the ground in the first half and helped to set up an unassailable 49-point lead at half-time.
