MATCH COVERAGE: Hawthorn destroy Sydney in GF
The 23-year-old entered the fray 10 minutes into the final quarter, when the Hawks well and truly had their 12th premiership in the bag.
Replacing Cyril Rioli, Duyrea managed nine disposals in his 25 minutes of glory, including setting up one of Jarryd Roughead's five goals and a punishing tackle on Sam Reid.
"The sub's vest was something a little bit different for me.....But I couldn't care less now that I have this (premiership medal)," Duryea said in the Hawthorn change rooms.
"I didn't have any rest in the last quarter and it seemed to be a ping-pong style of play so I was able to soak it up and keep busy out there.
"It gave me great confidence going onto the field, knowing that we were playing what was pretty much our best footy for the year. So it was quite relieving knowing that we were so far ahead," he said.
Duyrea managed 23 games this season and hadn't featured as a substitute since Round 15.
No player enjoys wearing the vest.
But after being named as an emergency in last year's Grand Final, level-headed Duryea will be forever grateful for being included in a team. Especially when you consider he was picked ahead of premiership warrior Brad Sewell.
"I felt like in the last few weeks I was playing some of my better footy for the season, although I knew there were about 26 blokes who could easily fit into the 22," he said.
"It was just about where I fitted into the mix, and thankfully enough I was in the 22."
Hawthorn's start was the opposite of its preliminary final against Port Adelaide, when the nervous-starting Hawks were beaten to the ball early.
At quarter-time Hawthorn was leading the tackles 22-7.
"Our pressure was the best it's been all year. It was seriously unbelievable and it gave the bench a lot of energy just watching how those guys were smashing their opponents with pressure.
"By halfway through the first quarter every player knew what was required and that was the huge pressure that you saw in the first 10 minutes.
"And they carried through pretty much until the end, which was an awesome way to finish the year."
"Taking the early ascendancy was critical against a side like Sydney. The Swans are generally a strong-starting side so we were told to beat them early.
"And then two have a three-goal at quarter time was a great result, and meant they were chasing the scoreboard for the rest of the game," Duryea said.
Taylor Duryea: The sub with a premiership smile
