The judges were unanimous – Brett Goodes was the best on ground in the Peter Jackson VFL Legendairy Grand Final.
Goodes dominated through the middle of the ground, showing his experience from two previous Grand Final victories with North Ballarat, and numerous finals appearances with Williamstown to be at his damaging best with 30 disposals to win the Norm Goss Medal.
In his third VFL premiership win, Goodes helped Footscray to the 2014 title with a dominant performance, reflective of his form throughout the season at VFL level.
Bulldogs coach Chris Maple had nothing but praise for Goodes after the game, for a long time knowing the talent he possessed.
“Brett has been fantastic.
“I got him down originally from the Territory as I knew him as a young fella in Ballarat. We put him in player welfare (at the Bulldogs) and he was nearly going to play club football down in Geelong,” Maple said.
“He thought about going to the VFL to give it another crack, and thank goodness he did as he ended up on an AFL list.
“He has won a VFL B&F, and a premiership now. He has been fantastic the way he attacks the football and leads the others.”
Despite a promising start to his AFL career playing 13 games in 2013, Goodes could only manage two games in 2014, playing the majority of the season in the VFL.
His experience was a key the Bulldogs’ VFL season, and the Grand Final experience was one to remember, with an AFL feel to the atmosphere and the game.
“Today was amazing. Even throughout the final series, at our home final against Williamstown we had 8,000 and the Footscray supporters came out in their droves and it was fantastic out there today.
“After you kicked a goal it was unbelievable, it was just like an AFL game the amount of support you had from the crowd,” Goodes said.
“It was high intensity the whole way through and there was no easy footy, there was not easy ball to be won.”
Brett now joins brother Jake as a premiership player in season 2014, with brother Adam left to bring home the trifecta this weekend as he lines up for Sydney in the AFL against Hawthorn.
Despite his best on ground performance in the Grand Final, Goodes this week was delisted from the Western Bulldogs, but on the weekend his future was not a concern, and he was simply honoured to be given a chance to play AFL football.
“Whatever happens, happens, and I look back on it as a great opportunity to play AFL, to play with these young guys in the VFL, and it has been my absolute pleasure to do it.”
CLICK HERE to see the full Norm Goss Medal votes.
See below for highlights from Brett Goodes in the VFL Grand Final
Last Modified on 25/09/2014 00:03