In the end, Jack Crisp proved a worthy recipient following a dominant midfield performance that saw him collect 28 disposals, win a game-high nine clearances, lay a seven tackles, and top it all off with a couple of goals.
Marco Paparone was another statistical standout for the Lions, and would have also been firmly in the minds of the judges.
Paparone was the team’s leading possession-winner with 29, grabbed eight marks, kicked two goals, and laid the equal most tackles (seven) of any Lions player.
Aaron Cornelius also proved a match-winner with a game-high six goals – five of which came at critical moments in the game – while Callum Bartlett chimed in with three majors from 22 disposals.
The premiership wasn’t just won in the midfield and attack, with the Lions defence also standing strong and limiting the Hornets to just 11 goals.
Jordon Bourke held Aspley spearhead James Nelis goalless and had a team-high 10 spoils, while Patrick Wearden once again did the job on Nathan Clarke, keeping his former premiership coach to just the one goal.
Below are some of the statistical standouts from the Lions’ victorious NEAFL Grand Final side.
Disposals
29 – Paparone
28 – Crisp
25 – O’Brien
23 – Lisle, Wearden
22 – Bartlett
Marks
11 – Cornelius
10 – Wearden
8 – Paparone, Michael
7 – Bartlett, Lisle
Goals
6 – Cornelius
3 – Bartlett
2 – Lisle, Paparone, Close, Crisp
1 – Longer, Cameron-Reeves
Inside 50
7 – Crisp
6 – Bartlett
5 – Newell, O’Brien
Tackles
7 – Banfield, Paparone, Crisp
6 – Radford, Hayes, Wearden, Close
5 – Pendlebury
Spoils
10 – Bourke
5 – McKeever
4 – Hayes, Michael
Clearances
9 – Crisp
7 – O’Brien
4 – Paparone
