St Pats secured its fifth NTFA reserves premiership in six years by holding off a fast-finishing Evandale at Windsor Park.
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The Saints' sodden 7.17 (59) to 7.9 (51) victory marked their third grand final win over the Eagles in five seasons, and came as the first under Patrick Lawrence's reign.
Up by 20 points midway through the last term when Jeff Scales Memorial Medallist Brodie Langley converted from an outstanding pack mark, the Saints looked to have the game wrapped up before the Eagles played their last card.
An immediate response through Kaleb Thomas (three goals) and Matty Wells' second at the 21-minute mark breathed life into the contest, but the Saints' cool heads held out.
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Lawrence said he was "over the moon" to continue Scott Bennett's four-flag tenure.
"It's been a bloody good year," the 29-year-old said.
"I'm a very nervous kind of person so I was very stressed out there [in the last term].
"But I knew our team, and I knew the blokes that if we worked hard and did the simple things well we were always going to win.
"Evandale's a ripping match-up against us, we always have a good game."
Ex-Deloraine Roo Addison Cosslett, James Langley and Clinton Morosini were among the Saints' best in trying conditions, with Joey Cullen their only multiple goal-kicker.
The win capped off a season which saw the St Pats lose just once - to Evandale in round six - and was the perfect end to a personally challenging grand final week for Lawrence.
"It was very hard picking the team this week but the way they've conducted themselves is second to none," he said.
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"Dropping one of my best mates was the biggest thing - I never thought it would come to something like that but being such a successful football club these decisions come.
"We're a club that doesn't pick blokes because of their mates, that's it."
Evandale has endured a heartbreaking two seasons in the NTFA with three grand final losses by margins of six, 26 and eight points.
Sebastian Woof was the Eagles' shining light in defeat with Andrew Rigby and Patty Bessell also influential.
TIME TO DECIDE:
Hamish Geale
Hamish Geale is a senior reporter at The Examiner. Got good news? Email: hgeale@examiner.com.au
Hamish Geale is a senior reporter at The Examiner. Got good news? Email: hgeale@examiner.com.au
