Given that it is awarded to the player that performs best at the most important stage of the season, the Norm Smith Medal is one of the most prestigious awards in the AFL.

Although some Grand Finals in recent memory have been lopsided and some have been absolute classics, the one constant is that the Norm Smith Medallist has churned out a hell of a game.

It's what makes this list hard as all past champions have produced all-time performances but we've tried to narrow it down to find the best Norm Smith performance of the past decade.

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10.
Brian Lake [2013]

It is a rarity to see a key defender win a Norm Smith Medal, but Brian Lake bucked the trend in 2013 when Hawthorn prevailed over the Fremantle Dockers.

Lake finished with 22 disposals, 10 marks and five rebound 50's in a classy display that helped the Hawks get over the line.

Jordan Lewis and Grant Birchall were also strong candidates for the medal with 26 touches each, but Lake made a big impact down back and deserved his recognition.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 27: Brian Lake of the Hawks celebrates with the Premeirship Cup during the 2014 AFL Grand Final match between the Sydney Swans and the Hawthorn Hawks at Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 27, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
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