Sam Butler found himself saddled up alongside the star Hawks forward more than any of his teammates, usually just after the Hawks had scored a goal. No one went near Rioli in the opening term and he made them pay, with four uncontested marks, three of them in their forward 50. He kicked two goals in the opening term and could have had four, missing one and handing another off. Then in the third term, as the Eagles started to fight back, Rioli intercepted a Jeremy McGovern handball that gave Jack Gunston his fourth goal. Rioli had a hand in most of the Hawks' 16 goals.

SAM MITCHELL v MATTHEW PRIDDIS 

The respective influences that Sam Mitchell and Matthew Priddis had on the game was always going to be a deciding factor. The 2014 Brownlow medallist had a first half that he would rather forget. Priddis had little, to no effect until the second half. He finished the game with 25 possessions. Mitchell, along with Luke Hodge and Cyril Rioli, set the tone for the Hawks' victory. Mitchell put the polish off an outstanding finals campaign, with an equal game-high 34 touches including   six clearances.

JAMES FRAWLEY v JOSH KENNEDY

James Frawley  didn't let  down the fans or  his teammates  in his first grand final appearance, playing on Coleman medallist Josh Kennedy. The Eagles' forward had just three possessions at half-time and didn't look like scoring a goal. Frawley had six marks (three more than his opponent) and 12 possessions. Kennedy finished with nine disposals and no goals. Between Frawley, Brian Lake, who must  get another contract for 2016, and Ben Stratton, the Eagles forwards were not given an inch.

LUKE HODGE v SHANNON HURN

The two captains didn't actually play on each other, but Luke Hodge led his team with aplomb, right from the coin toss, which he also won to give the Hawks the perfect start. When big moments came to each, Hodge stood up. Hodge, a two-time Norm Smith medallist, again lifted for the big game, finishing with 30 possessions and seven inside 50s. Hurn had 14 touches.