One of the great AFL truisms is that when the heat’s on, the big blokes don’t get any smaller.

Essendon key forward Joe Daniher and his North Melbourne opposite Ben Brown played massive roles in Saturday night’s pulsating elimination final at the MCG.

And when the game was in the balance during the frenetic last quarter, enter Kangaroos veteran Drew Petrie.

With Jake Carlisle (hamstring) out of action, much of the pre-game talk surrounding Essendon was who would kick their goals.

Playing in his first senior final, 20-year-old Daniher immediately showed he belongs in September.

He kicked the first goal of the match in the second minute with a great snap.

The 201cm beanpole was a giant problem for the North defence, kicking another goal in the second term as Essendon broke out to a 27-point lead at halftime.

North kicked only one behind in the second quarter and desperately needed someone to provide a target in attack.

Then it was Brown’s turn, surely one of the best No.50s to have played in the AFL.

After Essendon kicked the opening goal of the second half to take a game-high lead of 33 points, Brown kicked his first goal at seven minutes into the third term.

It was also North’s first goal since 16 minutes in the first quarter.

Brown quickly added another as the Kangaroos comeback gathered steam and kicked a superb goal from an acute angle midway through the term.

The margin was down to only three points late in the third when finals veteran Paul Chapman broke from the centre and Daniher took a great mark in the pocket.

The resulting goal briefly relieved the pressure for the ‘Dons.

Brown’s goal from a free kick at the start of the last term again reduced the margin to three points.

Daniher then emulated Brown’s third-quarter sharpshooting when he kicked a goal from next to the boundary.

Essendon led by a point in the 23rd minute when Petrie, who had been quiet all game, imposed himself.

He snapped two goals in as many minutes and then kicked a behind to ensure the win.