Forward Taylor Garner says his contested mark and goal in the second quarter of last Sunday's elimination final against Richmond was a turning point for him in his first finals appearance.

The 21-year-old saw teammate Drew Petrie fall to ground right as Shaun Higgins pumped the ball to the top of the goal square from outside 50 near the boundary line.

Knowing Petrie had been forced off balance by Tigers defender Troy Chaplin, Garner leapt for the ball and outmarked both Chaplin and Petrie, before calmly converting the set shot.

Garner said he committed to the contest after seeing Petrie lose his poise.

"I just saw 'Drewy' fall over and I thought straight away, 'I'm going to have to go here'," Garner told NMFC.com.au on Tuesday.

"(Petrie) still ended up getting to the ball, but I just ended up getting in front and I took the duke."

Garner's goal with just over 14 minutes remaining in the first half seemed to kick-start the youngster, who collected seven touches in a decisive second-quarter performance.

The 186cm forward said his leap and set shot came as a real morale booster.

"I wouldn't say I was setting the world on fire early so getting that mark and goal and contributing was a massive lift for me," Garner said.

"Once I got that I found a bit more (of the ball) and was more involved."

On the verge of half-time, Garner set up a Brent Harvey goal by working Chaplin off the ball at half-forward and slapping it forward.

He then successfully fended off Tigers midfielder Anthony Miles and handballed to a running Harvey, who converted the team-lifting goal.

Garner said he was thrilled to have taken part in his first ever finals match before a large crowd at the MCG.

"It was a privilege to play in the first final and in front of 90,000 (people) made it that extra bit special," he said.

"Running out with the boys was incredible and it was a bit surreal; I was pretty nervous at the start of the game.

"And once the siren went I felt at ease and started concentrating on what I had to do for the team."

Garner was substituted out of the match during the third quarter, replaced by fellow forward Lindsay Thomas.

Although he would have undoubtedly liked to remain on the playing field, he knew he had performed his required role.

"No-one likes getting subbed off but I understand where they [the coaching staff] are coming from, and I felt like I contributed and did what I needed to do for the side," Garner said.

"Even though I was a sub on the bench, I wasn't down in spirits and I was pumped as much as the next person."

Roos coach Brad Scott was full of praise for the youngster after the match.

"Taylor Garner's game, (who was) the only player in our team not to play in a final, I thought he stepped up enormously," Scott said.

After a well-documented injury history that has included hamstring, hip and thumb setbacks, Garner has found a good patch of form, featuring in nine of North's last 10 games.

Garner said his ability to stay injury-free since overcoming his recent broken thumb injury had helped him realise his worth to the team.

"It was early on in the year when I started getting some games that I started feeling like I was contributing to the side," he said.

"But in the days of the hamstring injuries, I was worried if that would ever happen and I'm just glad that I got the opportunity and got the body right.

"Now I feel like I'm doing my part."