Bruton, who played junior football in Ballarat with Golden Point as a youngster, had 13 possessions and was named in the best players as the Western Bulldogs beat the Brisbane Lions in Saturday’s grand final.

The Bulldogs got home by six points at Ikon Park, 4.3 (27) to 3.3 (21).

Bruton was only recruited to the club in last October’s national draft.

It was heartbreak for the second year in a row for Ballarat’s Kaitlyn Ashmore, who played in another losing grand final side.

Ashmore was named in the Lions’ best after collecting 14 disposals.

Ballarat’s Laura Bailey is part of the Bulldogs’ squad, but wasn’t picked for the grand final.

Western Bulldogs skipper Katie Brennan couldn't play in Saturday's thrilling win, but she at least got to hold up the premiership cup.

In scenes reminiscent of the Bulldogs' 2016 AFL grand final win, Brennan - who was controversially banned during the week - was called onto the stage to hold aloft the cup with coach Paul Groves and stand-in captain Ellie Blackburn.

Monique Conti was one of several players to stand up in Brennan's absence, the Dogs forward taking out the player of the match award for her pivotal role in turning the game in her side's favour after half time.

"I'm just really proud - that's probably the overriding emotion at the moment," Groves said.

"We've had 30 girls who've really busted a gut and another seven or eight in our program last year when results weren't great.

"I'm proud of everyone who has contributed in some way to lifting the cup up."

It was double heartbreak for the Lions after they lost last year's grand final to Adelaide by the same margin.

"Last year was disappointing ... this one's frustrating because we thought we were all over them early in the game," Lions coach Craig Starcevich said.

"We didn't get a chance to capitalise on our opportunities and you've definitely got to do that against a good opposition."

Torrential rain that swept Melbourne on Saturday morning eased at Ikon Park as the game got underway but still made conditions tricky.