NTFL | Nightcliff three-peat headlines memorable weekend for GV products

The Tigers escaped the jaws of defeat to win a heart-stopping men's premier league grand final that needed to be decided with extra-time.

After four quarters and two halves of over-time, the Tigers etched their name into the history books with a 16.10 (110) to 16.7 (103) victory.

“It's an unreal game to watch, but I'd be pretty happy to not coach a game like that again,” Baksh said with a laugh.

“The fact that we were able to pull it off is hard to believe. I'm still in disbelief.

“To win a game like that is pretty surreal, let alone it being a grand final.

“It was a cracking game of footy, high-pressure, momentum swings, it had it all.”

Nightcliff held the upper hand during the first half and had a 20-point lead at the main break.

Tongala star Cam Ilett was at his best for the Tiges, while Blues teammate Jack Hammond found his hands on the ball.

Former Shepparton United teammates Brodie Filo and Daniel Bowles also contributed strongly.

However, St Mary's — led by Tatura ruckman Brandyn Grenfell — fought back in the second half with a five-goal third term.

The Saints ran away with the contest with three-straight goals and with less than five minutes left, Nightcliff's dreams of claiming a three-peat looked over.

But like all champion outfits, the Tigers dug deep and found a way.

“We were down by 18 points with about four minutes left on the clock,” Baksh said.

“I remember saying to the bench ‘they're playing better than us and if we don't kick a goal now we're done'.

“But Kyle (Emery) kicked a big goal and then we were able to get another quick one straight after which brought us back within six points.

“And then Johnny, our biggest player, slid on his knees and grabbed a chest mark about 15m out on a slight angle.

“We knew there wasn't long left, but he went and played on and luckily kicked the goal. We found out there was only six seconds in the match.”

As the siren blew to signal the end of the fourth quarter, the scores were locked on 102 apiece.

As pandemonium unleashed in the crowd, players and Baksh only had moments to ready themselves for two extra halves.

“I couldn't go out and talk to the group during the extra-time break,” Baksh said.

“But before it started I said, ‘it's in your hands now boys’ and to their credit they got over the line.”

The experienced coach had one last trick up his sleeve.

Baksh — who joins four other coaches to complete a three-peat — swung the magnet of talented Shepparton export Tom Boyd out of defence.

Baksh shifted the former Picola and Nathalia junior to the forward line to play on Raphael Clarke — who claimed the Chaney Medal for being best-on.

It proved a masterstroke as Boyd quelled Clarke's influence and eventually kicked the last score of the thrilling decider.

“When the siren sounded I was just ecstatic. The whole bench just erupted, it was an amazing feeling,” Baksh said.

● In other grand final action, a trio of GV products made history for Pint.

Nathalia duo Reni Hicks and Gemma Cusack, along with Waaia product Cassie Henderson, helped Pint clinch its maiden women's premier premiership.

The Queenants slogged out a tense 7.4 (46) to 5.5. (35) win over Darwin.

The result was extra special for Henderson, who was a co-founder of Pint's women's outfit.

Born and bred at Waaia, the 100-gamer capped the memorable match with a goal.

● It was double delight for Pint on Saturday, with the men's division one outfit saluting over Banks.

Three Tatura products, Brad and Matt Ryan and Andrew Ciavarella, tasted premiership success as Pint held on in a 12-point nail-biter.

It was an unfortunate end for Shepparton's Tyler Bell, Rumbalara's Kyal Atkinson, Kyabram's Jack Castles, Moama's Jye Warren and Berrigan's Will Robinson.

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