Shellharbour were protecting a 24-20 lead when Lions winger Reuben Garrick crashed over for a try in the corner with three minutes remaining.

Roberts calmly went through his routine as he prepared for one of the biggest kicks of his career, casting his mind back to similar pressure situations he faced in the 2010 and ‘12 grand finals.

‘‘Before I kicked it, 2010 and 2012 came up in my head, because I got the 2010 kick and missed 2012, so I thought I was due,’’ the 27-year-old said.

Roberts had already booted four of four goals against the Sharks and his fifth attempt sailed smack bang between the posts.

‘‘It went straight over,’’ he said.

‘‘It never looked like missing.’’

Shellharbour finished on top of the ladder and were the first team through to the grand final. The Sharks re-entered Group Seven last season after a stint in the Illawarra competition and were chasing their first premiership since 2001.

While the Lions knew they weren’t favourites, they were contesting their fifth grand final in six years and had been hardened by three tough finals games.

‘‘We haven’t beaten Shellharbour since they’ve come back in the comp. There’s no better way to do it than the grand final,’’ Roberts said.

‘‘We don’t pay players. We’re just a bunch of mates and we play for the love of footy.’’

Sunday’s premiership decider was a classic, a nerve-wracking back and forth affair that went all the way down to the wire as many pundits had predicted.

The Lions drew first blood with converted tries to halfback Rixon Russell and backrower Michael Brown, while Roberts added a penalty goal for a 14-0 lead after 25 minutes.

Sharks halfback Matt Carroll pounced on a loose ball when Roberts failed to secure a grubber kick, converting his own try to make it 14-6.

The Sharks were within two when Jai Field scored beside the posts two minutes before the break, while Kurt Field’s 40th-minute try in the corner off another Lions mistake gave Harbour a 16-14 half-time lead.

Lions five-eighth Pat Cronin and Roberts combined to send winger Alec Brookes over for a try 10 minutes into the second half, with Roberts converting for a 20-16 lead.

The game was tied at 20-all after Ryan McCracken’s try before the ever-present Kurt Field went over for his second try to give Shellharbour a 24-20 lead.

The normally reliable Carroll was off target with both conversions, which later proved costly. 

Gerringong refused to quit, working their way deep into Sharks territory and coming away with Garrick’s crucial try.

Roberts kicked the go-ahead goal before adding the icing on the cake with a last-minute penalty goal on a shoulder-charge ruling, securing the Lions’ third premiership in six years.

‘‘You want a grand final like that,’’ Gerringong captain Brad Davidson said amid jubilant scenes. ‘‘It’s heart-stopping at times, but to get to get away with that win, how good’s that.’’