The Grubbers knew they were definitely in the finals going into the Saturday night game due to Barwon Heads' loss against Drysdale earlier, and they played like a team with freedom. They started the match adjusting to the lights and blustery conditions but by the third quarter were within touch and they hit their straps.

Coach Shane Jack was phenomenal at both ends, showing that the Grubbers were still desperate to finish the season with a good win, their first against a fellow finalist.

"It's a good win but, like I said to the boys, I thought we'd been ramping up to that for a while," Jack said.

"We competed really well against the breeze in that third quarter and I think they got 10 points up in the last but we fought back."

Other standout performers included Sam Rankin, who kept spearhead Scott Hughes to just two goals and denied him his 100th during the home and away season.