Social media offers up plenty of metrics. But one component that probably can't be accurately measured is an outpouring of love in cyberspace. If you could, the act of Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge to give his premiership medallion to injured skipper Bob Murphy would have gone off the charts. Murphy will be remembered for his side role in this flag like any other Dogs player who actually took the field. Just remember his on-field comment afterwards: "We didn't even allow us daydreams about this." Footy fan Erin Reilly was moved to tears. "Not because I'm sad, because calling Bob Murphy up was so beautiful," she tweeted. Another fan, @wiffa27, was simple in his summation: "Bevo getting Bob Murphy up to receive the cup, will be one of the best things I will ever see in a grand final #dogsvswans." Jacqui Reed was equally moved: "Luke Beveridge giving his medal to Bob Murphy was magical. One of the great sporting gestures. What an incredible day! @westernbulldogs," she tweeted.

MILLION DOLLAR MAN TOM BOYD

When you're young and join a new club on ridiculous money, scrutiny follows you like a bad smell. The story of Tom Boyd and his pivotal role in this drought-breaking premiership will be recalled for years to come. Unsurprisingly, the 21-year-old was a hot topic on social channels. Many observers believe he was stiff to miss out on the Norm Smith Medal. Commentator Dennis Cometti even had time to mention that he was born on the same day as Ted Whitten's state funeral in 1995. Footy reporter Mark Stevens, an unabashed Bulldogs fan, might have summed up the attitude of many post-match with this tweet: "Tom Boyd just delivered on his entire contract …" Former player Campbell Brown went straight for his price tag. "$1 million a season is under's after today's game for Tom Boyd #AFLSwansDogs," he tweeted. Like Tom Hawkins five years ago, many people likened his game to a classic breakout performance by a big man. Scribe Andrew Wu tweeted thus: "There's a shade of Tom Hawkins 2011 GF about this game from Tom Boyd #AFLGF."

THE BUDDY FACTOR - TWIN TOWERS

Boyd's can-you-really-believe-it match gave footy followers ample evidence for a direct comparison to Sydney's infamous "Bondi Billionaires", the forward duo of Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett. Tippett had just 10 touches and three marks while Buddy was largely ineffective, perhaps restricted by a first-quarter foot complaint. One pundit on social media went straight for the heart. "Kurt Tippet? I'd rather Tom Boyd #dud." Adam Todd was similarly cutting: "Premierships won at the Swans: Buddy Franklin: 0 Kurt Tippett: 0 #AFLGF."

JOSH KENNEDY - NO MEDAL

Accumulate 22 possessions in a half and score two important second-quarter goals and your name will soon be linked to the Norm Smith Medal. Such was the reality for the Sydney engine room juggernaut who raced to the top of the BOG list at half-time. Kennedy may have eventually missed out on the Norm Smith honour, finishing with 34 touches, but many fans were quick to praise his enormous game. "The last time I saw Josh Kennedy kick a goal that good he was playing for the Socceroos. #AFLGF," one pundit offered on social media. Yes, that Josh Kennedy played the round ball game but another Josh Kennedy played for the West Coast Eagles and was ineffective in last year's decider. Scribe Dan Cherny tweeted the following: "Well at least one Josh Kennedy can handle grand final day." Whack!

THE STING, AND GETTING STUNG 

Big-name performers at the 'G on footy's biggest day are on a hiding to nothing. On the whole, megastar Sting was well received for his on-field set in the countdown to the opening bounce. For the aforementioned reporter Mark Stevens, the Sting-Bulldogs double made for an ultra-memorable day. "Sting, and the Dogs in a GF. Enough to blow your mind," he tweeted via @Steve7AFL. Others were less generous in their appraisal. "Play 100,000 people a new song that no one has heard or cares about," Karl Chander tweeted. Unsurprisingly, that grand final performance of Meatloaf from some years back came in for comparison. "On a scale of Meatloaf to Lionel Richie, I give Sting a Bryan Adams. #AFLGF," Lawrence Rosen tweeted.