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THE best-on-ground medal winner is always contentious, but it was nearly impossible to pick just one of the numerous stars who stepped up when it mattered for Queenscliff.
The honour went to Brad Ridings, who started like a house on fire when the game was at its hottest.
He's tough, skilful and damaging and his bag of tricks was on display early.
Coach Tom Limb was pleased for Ridings getting the acknowledgement he deserves.
"He was good, we didn't put him in our best six but I think anyone could've been in our best six today," Limb said.
"You can underestimate the quality of player Brad Ridings is and what he does and all the hard work he does, it's actually good to see he got recognised for the work he does do. It wasn't the flashiest game that he's had but he's definitely that important to us and he deserves it."
Ridings struggled to come to grips with the fact he had won his second flag in as many years at the club.
"Words can't describe it, it's certainly not easy," Ridings said.
"I thought they (Drysdale) were so physical, so strong at the contest. I could see we were starting to crack them in the third quarter but it was hard going."
When it was time to blow the game open in that third term, an experienced head in Roscoe Holmes came to the fore.
Ridings and his coach Tom Limb were both full of praise for Holmes.
"He stepped up, he's been class for so many years," Limb said.
"We needed more grunt in the middle, he's a light frame but he puts his head over the footy."
Despite not polling a vote in the Ash Medal count for three years, Holmes's value is not underrated at Queenscliff. "Roscoe probably had about 40 touches, he was unbelievable, I think I probably stole this off him in the end," Ridings said.
