East Coast has crafted a happy ending to the fairytale that began last year, winning the NTFA division 2 premiership in just its second year in the league.
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The Swans were forced to come from behind and then hold onto their lead for the final 10 minutes of the match before the siren sounded to end a gruelling 34-minute last quarter and spark jubilant celebrations.
The 7.14 (56) 8.2 (50) result saw East Coast become the second side in as many seasons to win the grand final after finishing runner-up the previous year, and marked the Swans’ first premiership since the 2000 NEFU flag.
PHOTO GALLERY: East Coast v Evandale
READ MORE: Swans’ tough lessons lead to flag
Nuggety midfielder Corey Bosworth took home the David O’Keefe memorial medal for best on ground in the grand final, capping off an exceptional season which also yielded a premiership medal and a club best and fairest.
“It’s a lot of reward for a lot of hard years,” Bosworth said of his side’s win.
“Me and (coach Ned Hyland) and Nick Child and Shaun Cannon - we went to school (together) in primary school and we’ve worked all the way up through all the years.
“We lost a couple of grand finals so to win this one… I can’t put it into words, I’m just very proud of the boys, it’s a fantastic effort.
“And it’s not the 22 who came and played today it’s the whole lot, from running water to doing oranges, everyone played their part.”
Evandale jumped out of the blocks with a four-goal-to-one opening quarter, making the most of the breeze as Jordan Harris got the ball rolling and Tom Chugg (five goals) hit the scoreboard three times.
Bosworth, Cannon and destructive left-footer Ethan Goldfinch stood up in the second term to level the scoreboard, but Evandale found ways to stay in the game.
Classy winger Warwick Johnson produced a spectacular solo goal in the third quarter and when coach James Storay threaded a flying boundary line shot from 40m early in the last, the Eagles held a 12-point lead.
But the Swans were relentless, and kicked two in succession at the 20-minute mark before locking the ball in their 50 until the siren.
RELIVE THE ACTION: NTFA grand final day blog
Bosworth caps off elite season with medal
The significance of East Coast’s first flag in 18 years was not lost on best-on-ground winner Corey Bosworth.
Arriving from a season in the ODFA, the Fingal midfielder has enjoyed a dream season at his childhood club, playing every game on his way to winning the club’s best and fairest.
But best of all is the premiership medal that eluded him when he coached the Swans in 2014.
“I played most of my juniors there and I coached there for a year and we got runner-up, we got beaten by Branxholm,” Bosworth said.
“Ned (Hyland) took on the coaching after I did and I wanted to go back there together and win a premiership with my mates, my real good mates.
“We’re a family virtually, most of the boys came to my wedding and hopefully they’ll invite me to their weddings - no-one can ever take this away from us, we’re as proud as punch.”