A CONTROVERSIAL after-the-siren goal to Victorian captain Jonathan Brown gave his side a one-point win against the All Stars in the EJ Whitten Legends game on Friday night at Etihad Stadium.
His mark seemingly came after the siren but was allowed by the umpire, and the former Brisbane Lions skipper booted the drop punt for his fifth goal from a very tight angle as the Victorians won 4.19.6 (156) to 0.24.11 (155).
West Coast is considering debuting Willie Rioli in the finals series to fill the small forward void but Phil Matera pressed his claims for that spot, snagging a game-high seven goals.
The highlight of the night went to Adem Yze, who took a speccy late in the contest, leaping high and hauling the footy in with his left hand.
A Luke Power left-foot chip to Brown, who won the EJ Whitten Medal, brought back memories of when the Brisbane Lions once ran rampant, with the Victorian skipper duly sending his torp through for a supergoal.
Brown raised his right index finger in the air after slotting it, celebrating in a way Lions fans were once treated to on a regular basis.
However, Brown later cost his side with a 50m penalty after engaging in a tussle with former Western Bulldog Danny Southern.
Brown had his revenge in the last quarter, hauling in a one-handed mark as he wrestled with Southern, before eventually nailing the game-winner.
Fellow Victorian Dustin Fletcher showed he had lost none of his kicking prowess, launching a torp that went 60m.
Age might have slowed dual Norm Smith medallist Andrew McLeod but his class was evident as he cruised across half-back.
The shot-gun celebration may have been banned by Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson a few years ago, but All Stars coach Wayne Carey wouldn't have had any problems when former Hawk Mark Williams brought it out after his torp from 50m off a couple of steps sailed through for a goal.
Mark Williams salutes a goal with his signature 'shotgun'. Picture: AFL Photos
Adam Cooney refused to be outdone in the flamboyance stakes, attempting a set shot with his eyes closed. Unsurprisingly, the 2008 Brownlow medallist didn't score, but he did well to make connection with the footy.
Victoria trailed by 41 points in the second quarter after 'Neon' Leon Davis snapped a goal, but a couple of massive torps from Jimmy Bartel sparked a Victorian comeback.
Barrels from Chris Johnson and Lindsay Gilbee, either side of Scott Cummings' fourth goal, helped put Victoria in front by 11 at the main break.
Scott Cummings was handy in front of goal but struggled around the ground. Picture: AFL Photos
Former West Coast small forward Matera sparked the All Stars early in the third term, slotting a couple of goals, but it was Brad Johnson's effort for Victoria that had the crowd on its feet.
North Melbourne champion Brent Harvey took eight bounces as he ran through the middle and brought the crowd alive but Tony Brown's dropped mark meant the Victorians didn't finish the play.
VICTORIA 1.5.1 4.10.3 4.15.4 4.19.6 (156)
ALL STARS 0.8.3 0.14.4 0.18.6 0.24.11 (155)
SUPERGOALS
Victoria: J.Brown, Bartel, C.Johnson, Gilbee
All Stars: Nil
GOALS
Victoria: J.Brown 5, C Brown 3, Richards 2, B Johnson 2, Bartel, Yze, T.Brown, Spangher, Smith, Dimattina, Dal Santo
All Stars: Matera 7, Cummings 4, Fletcher 2, Davis 2, Mooney 2, Luff, P.Williams, Langdon, M.Williams, Cooney, Schneider, Schammer