Going into the final term, Lake Cargelligo only led by a kick, but one last spurt was enough to get them over the line and win its fourth flag in the past seven years.

Lake Cargelligo president Harry Alexander said he knew his side was going to win when it withstood a strong fightback by Hillston in the second quarter.

“In the second quarter, two or three of the bigger Hillston blokes really had a go and try to bust us open,” Alexander said. “But credit to our boys, they really stood up and shut them down before they could do much damage, and I knew that we would have the fitness late in the game to come over the top of them.”

The win by Lake Cargelligo is in stark contrast to its 2007 grand final appearance against Barellen, with the latter thumping the latest premier by more than 100 points.

As well as greater fitness towards the back end of the game, Luke Robertson was also on song for the Tigers, booting five majors in his side’s win.

But youngster Nathan Morris was the real difference between the two sides in winning best on ground to go with his rising star award for his form during the regular season.

The on-baller secured more than 35 possessions for the eventual flag winners and also managed to kick one major himself.

Alexander said the current playing group was one of the most talented to pass through he club in recent years, and hoped the nucleus of the side would stay together for a few more.

“We probably rate this as our best grand final win in the last few years,” he said. “We had a few of our experienced guys retire at the end of 2006, so because of that we have some younger guys coming into the club.

“We took a little while to gel together, but hopefully some of these talented guys can stick around, because they are all keen, and we also have about six guys that have played over 100 games as well.”

The celebrations were cut short for several players, who forgoed more partying with the rest of their team mates to try and help the Tullibigeal Lakes United rugby league side into the qualifying final in Group 20 rugby league yesterday.