The empire strikes back.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The AFL South Coast season had setup as a red-hot three-way tussle, but after losing their crown to Kiama last year, the Wollongong Lions re-asserted their dominance.
A third premiership in five consecutive grand finals, a second flag in three for coach Ray Burgess.
The first quarter had been breathless, but everything Figtree threw at the Lions, key forward Sam Wilson responded in kind, on his way to booting five in an 8.12 (60) to 7.2 (44) victory.
The final quarter began with the Kangaroos trailing by just a kick, but ended with their most dangerous attacking weapon, Callum McFadden, limping off, reflecting their fading title hopes.
"We've played five in a row, but there aren't too many guys who have won their third," Burgess said.
"There's 10 guys there who have won their first, so it was a big opportunity, a big moment for a the club in a successful era. We knew we were going to have to play a full 100 minutes of footy, but we knew if we weathered the storm and took control with our style of footy, we'd break them eventually."
The margin could well have blown out, but the Lions kicked 2.8 in the second half to Figtree's two straight.
For a while, the question had lingered about being left to rue missed opportunities if Figtree could summon a dominant five minutes to come back.
It took Wilson to kick his fifth to provide the answer.
"He got that late goal to seal the deal, it's been great having him back in the side," Burgess said.
"A lot of Lions juniors who have been here for a long time played, it goes under the radar a bit that we're producing these kids."
Premierships always deliver a sense of magic and so it was with the contrasting tales of Joel Preston, the Lions under 17 captain, and 32-year-old Ramez Dagher both winning their first senior title.
Erin Franklin, the last remaining player for the 2015 grand final loss to the Bulldogs, only came back into the first grade team a month ago.
Kuiam Anu was a deserving best-on-ground, taking numerous crucial intercept marks to prevent Figtree raids. Nick Stacey and Daniel Perger were outstanding in a beaten cause for Figtree, while Nick Hay finished with three goals.
Figtree, who had cast last year's premiers Kiama aside to make their first South Coast grand final, can take great solace out of their breakthrough season and will no doubt be desperate to take the last step next season.
But the Lions cemented their place as the league's dominant force since returning from the AFL Sydney competition.
AFL SOUTH COAST
Grand final
WOLLONGONG LIONS 8.12 (60)
Goals: S Wilson 5, W Cook, J Price, T Bishop; Best: K Anu, J Hogarth, S Wilson, S Forrest, C Panagakos, W Cook.
FIGTREE KANGAROOS 7.2 (44)
Goals: N Hay 3, R Gordon 2, K Churchill, S Faulks; Best: N Stacey, D Perger, N Hay, S Faulks, J Hennessy, C Daly.
While you're with us the Illawarra Mercury is offering sport readers 20% off an annual digital subscription. Sign up to stay up to date with all the local sports you love for only $3 a week. Terms and conditions apply.