Port Adelaide's backline, and specifically Tom Jonas and Alipate Carlile, who between them rendered Collingwood's key forwards Travis Cloke and Ben Reid largely ineffectual in the air. Carlile was Cloke's direct opponent, holding the big Magpie to only two goals – neither of them coming from marks. He was superbly assisted by Jonas, who showed an ability to read the play, leave his man and help as a third man up.
Who fizzled?
Heath Shaw had a forgettable night. The Magpies defender was dragged deep by Angus Monfries, and never really provided any of his trademark drive. What's more, he cost his team a goal in the second quarter when he jumper-punched Monfries at the top of the goalsquare after the Power had just kicked a goal. The umpire awarded another free kick, giving the visitors a double goal.
The moment
Power forward Jay Schulz evoked memories of St Kilda's Brendon Goddard from the drawn 2010 Grand Final when he soared over Magpie Nathan Brown and took one of the great finals marks during the second quarter. The former Tiger coolly converted the resulting set shot from 45m out, giving Port Adelaide a four-goal lead.
The stat
Eight. The number of marks taken inside forward 50 by Collingwood's Dane Swan, who threatened to win the game for his team with a brilliant burst in the third quarter. He finished with three goals and22 disposals, and didn't deserve any of the blame for the Magpies' defeat.
3-2-1
One vote: Chad Wingard
Huge game for the young star in his first career final, collecting 19 disposals and booting three important goals.
Two votes: Dane Swan
A clear standout for the Magpies, but didn't have enough helpers.
Three votes: Tom Jonas
So important down back, flying for spoils, chopping off Collingwood kicks and leading a backline that held the normally free-scoring Magpies to just 63 points.
Turning point
Port Adelaide had weathered an early fourth-quarter Collingwood onslaught and wrested back some momentum, but had been unable to hit the scoreboard. Enter Travis Boak. The Power skipper had worn a tight tag from Brent Macaffer all night and hadn't had one of his biggest games, but he soccered an opportunistic goal at just the right time to give his team a three-point lead and, importantly, belief. From there it was all one-way traffic as the visitors stormed home.
The replay they won't want to see
For the Magpies, simply, the whole game. Heavily favoured to win and even talked up as the most likely team to challenge for the premiership from outside the top four, Nathan Buckley's men were well below their best. They were out-run and out-worked, and turned the ball over at a frightening rate – particularly when kicking into forward 50.
The quote
"It was so loud, especially when the national anthem finished, and then when the siren sounded. It's so special. You loved it as a kid. You looked at it and looked forward to playing in it, and now I've been lucky enough to experience it. So it's really special and I'm really soaking it up at the moment." – young Power midfielder Ollie Wines reflects on his first AFL final, in which he collected 18 disposals, won five clearances, and booted two clutch goals.
