Bridgewater president Gary Walters, who has been in the role for three seasons, said this flag was “sweeter” than the past two, with the club also revelling in wins in the reserves football and C-Grade netball.

Despite Bridgewater leading at every change, Walters was sweating on the final siren.

“It’s amazing, we were 10 goals up at the start of the last quarter and they kicked three in a row and you start thinking, ‘what’s going on here’,” he said.

“But then there was a bit of a reality check because they were such a long way back.”

Callum Prest was the day’s headline act, with the Mean Machine wingman voted best-on-ground after notching 19 possessions and three goals.

Prest was handed a grand final lifeline last month, successfully appealing the severity of a four-match ban for striking Inglewood’s Craig Crichton. His reduced two-week ban allowed him to take the field at the weekend.

Boom recruit Daniel Connors also proved his worth. The leading goal kicker for VFL side Port Melbourne last season, Connors joined former Richmond teammate and Mean Machine coach Andrew Collins this season to capture the first senior premiership of his career.

But it was Collins’ brother Alex whom Connors combined with up forward to take the game away from Mitiamo, with the pair booting eight goals — five for Collins and three for Connors.

Walters said close ties with coach Collins had drawn Connors to the club.

“He just wanted to come and play with his mate,” he said. “I have no doubt that if ­Andrew decides to continue on, there’s a fair chance we’ll keep Daniel.”

Collins managed a lone major, returning for the first five minutes of the second half following a shoulder injury earlier in the game.

Strathmerton prevented Jerilderie winning four premierships in a row in the Picola and District league North West division, claiming the flag by 16 points.