EXCITING local talent Brendan Fewster, Taylor Hine (both Rupertswood) and Cameron Guthrie (Sunbury) helped re-write the TAC Cup record books at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.
The trio came up big on a night when careful execution was the cornerstone to the Calder Cannons' 14-point win over the Dandenong Stingrays in the grand final.
It is normal place for grand finals to be brutal, last-man-standing encounters, but the knockout punch delivered by the Cannons was in their immaculate accuracy in front of goal.
Their first 12 scoring shots were goals, creating an insurmountable buffer for the Stingrays to chase down.
"Our goalkicking in the first half was probably what separated the two teams on the night," Cannons regional manager Ian Kyte said.
The Cannons stand alone at the top of the TAC Cup premiers list.
Their fifth flag eclises the four won by the great Northern Knights teams of 1993-96.
Fewster, 19, dominated in the ruck and showed his mobility around the ground when called on.
His reward was an invitation to state screening, where he will be assessed by the AFL recruiters.
Hine, a bottom-age player, is already in the sights of the AFL's newest club Gold Coast after impressing in the midfield.
He will attend this week's draft camp at the invitation of Gold Coast, which could offer the youngster a spot.
Guthrie was outstanding in the Cannons backline as a bottom-age player and also has a bright future.
All three come from our backyard and could be destined to follow in the footsteps of locally produced two-time AFL premiership star James Kelly.
Kyte predicted the Cannons could have as many as eight to 10 "or more" drafted and rookie listed by an AFL club this year.
The victory will be cherished by the players who miss out at the draft table and the many behind-the-scenes volunteers.
"This is for those who aren't going to go on to a career in the AFL and those who put in a lot of work to be rewarded," he said.
Jake Melksham was adjudged best-on-ground for the Cannons.
The X-factor was tall forward Serhat Temel, who capped a fine finals series with five goals, while Luke Mitchell and captain Jacob Thompson bagged three goals apiece. The exquisite foot skills of defender Matthew Watson was another eye-catcher.