Werrribee's Jake Purton would have spent his whole junior career dreaming of running the winning runs for his team in a final on the MCG and when the moment came on Monday he seized it, charging through when the opposition wicketkeeper fumbled.

The Spirit triumphed by four wickets in one of the most enthralling matches of the summer - at any age level.

The Emus won the toss, elected to bat and posted a competitive 7-206 off 50 overs.

Purton churned out nine quality overs for a return of 2-38 and would have been delighted with his contributions to that point.

The consistent Michael Kelly claimed 2-35 off 10, including the prized scalp of in-form Emus No.3 Tom Smyth who had powered to 65. Spirit coach Shane O'Brien and his assistants Tim O'Brien and Philip Veale must have been confident of reaching the target after watching their side post 200-plus runs in both the quarters and semis.

Cometh the hour, cometh the boy, Travis Dean capping a truly remarkable series with 76 to set up the Spirit's run chase. Dean was not only named the player of the finals series, but also player of the tournament.

It was a fantastic honour for the teenager from Werribee who has cemented his position in the Footscray Edgewater first XI this summer.

Bulldogs president Jeff Russ is confident the batting all-rounder has a bright future ahead.

"He's been in the Victorian representative sides all through the juniors," he said.

"In our opinion, he was extremely unlucky to miss out on the Australian under-19 team.

"As a club we're really disappointed he didn't get a guernsey for the under-19 world cup. We'll do whatever we can to assist Travis to further his career."

It was runs galore for Dean at the state titles.

He made 341 runs at 56.8.

What was more impressive was the number t of wickets he took with his medium pace bowling - 16 wickets at only 9.8.