The moment coach Luke Beveridge called injured captain Robert Murphy up onto the podium and draped his premiership medallion around his neck was the moment that symbolised this Western Bulldogs’ premiership.

Post-match celebrations often tell the quintessential tale of the cup. Port Adelaide coach Mark Williams made a noose of his tie in 2004 to mock the team’s “choker” tag.

West Coast’s tarnished hero Ben Cousins rushed the stage to join his squeaky clean successor as captain Chris Judd and claim his right to hold aloft the silverware.

Sydney coach Paul Roos bellowed: “For the people who’ve waited 72 years to see South Melbourne-slash-Sydney Swans win the premiership, HERE IT IS!”

But in the ultimate show of respect, Beveridge singled out the 295-game Murphy, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in Round 3, and declared: “This is your’s mate. You deserve it more than anyone.”

What a moment for @BobMurphy02. #AFLGF https://t.co/xSMujdXJF4

— AFL (@AFL) October 1, 2016

Murphy, who was wearing his No.2 guernsey underneath his tracksuit top, and acting captain Easton Wood then accepted the premiership cup from Dogs legend John Schultz and hoisted it skyward to a rapturous ovation from the crowd of 99,981.

Murphy is the very spirit of a club that prides itself on a selfless, never-give-in, team-first approach.

While their opponent, Sydney, is studded with highly-paid stars such as Lance “Buddy” Franklin and Kurt Tippett and has appeared in five grand finals in the past dozen years, the Dogs are a distinctly blue-collar affair, a club that grew out of working-class Footscray, one that has been to the big stage just three times in its 91-year history.

But under Beveridge they have forged a tight, daring and ruthless identity that has served them well. The Dogs like to talk about “Three teams, one club”, a nod to their AFL, VFL and women’s teams.

The two men’s teams are now premiers, while the women’s team has established itself as the powerhouse over a season of exhibition matches ahead of the launch of an official league next season.

An emotional Murphy is swamped by teammates after the match.

Having seen the hard times in the years since he first arrived at the club in 2000, Murphy’s eyes were understandably welling as he walked the lap of the honour with his victorious teammates after the grand final.

“We must be dreaming, it’s something else,” the 34-year-old told Channel Seven. “We didn’t even allow ourselves daydreams about this.

“Sons and daughters of the ‘Scray, we’re bringing it home. Whooo!”

The Bulldogs’ 22-point win had other defining storylines.

They became the first team to win an AFL flag after finishing seventh.

The man voted the norm Smith medallist for best-afield, Jason Johannisen, was born in South Africa and grew up playing rugby. His 2016 season hung in the balance when he suffered a serious hamstring injury in round four.

Norm Smith Medallist Jason Johannisen drives the Dogs forward in the final quarter.

One of the players who pushed him for the honour, maligned young high-profile recruit Tom Boyd, produced a breakout performance with 14 disposals, eight strong marks and three goals, including a 60-metre effort late in the game which sealed the result.

Hard nut Liam Picken continued his outstanding finals series and now has the premiership medal that eluded his famous father, Collingwood defender Billy Picken, who ran out in five Grand Finals.

Liam Picken celebrates with Josh Dunkley and Toby McLean on the final siren.

And yet the enduring memory of this Grand Final is destined to be the story of a captain who did not play.

Regardless, in the rooms after the match Murphy was still jubilant, a bottle of champagne in one hand, a beer in the other.

He was grateful for Beveridge’s gesture, describing him as “an incredibly special human being”.

“I love him for it. In some ways, I think, it’s not the same as the other boys’ medals, it’s not the same as the 22, but for me, it means just as much.

“This is my footy club. I couldn’t be prouder. I couldn’t be happier. I’m just a very, very happy man.”

Bob Murphy on the siren @mcg #AFLGF #AFLSwansDogs @theheraldsun @superfooty #ruff #bemorebulldog pic.twitter.com/IJSdI2iR5S

— Wayne Ludbey (@WLudbey) October 1, 2016

"Sons of the West….!!!"

Premiership style. 🏆 #bemorebulldog pic.twitter.com/2BioFOPfap

— Western Bulldogs (@westernbulldogs) October 1, 2016

The Bulldogs’ premiership victory is all the more remarkable for the fact that none of the 22 had played in a Grand Final before.

Murphy said the team had triumphed because it found moments of “orchestral brilliance” that cut through an otherwise workmanlike performance.

“When Tom Boyd went up high and slotted it through, that was the prettiest of notes,” he told ABC Grandstand.

“I love these boys so much. They really get it.

“It’s a game of head and heart. They worked their way through the head and they are all heart. I’m very proud to stand among them.

“We’re taking over the world tonight,” he said with a grin.

Murphy with premiership captain Easton Wood.

-with AAP