A premiership drought that extended 33 years was finally broken on Saturday when Devonport claimed the NWFL grand final by three points over Penguin in a thrilling finish.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In game that was played in blustery conditions and regular heavy showers that contained hail, the Magpies looked to have the game sewn up at three-quarter time when they led their opponents by 20 points, having kept them to just one goal.
But the Two Blues, who were trying to win their first senior flag since 1985, refused to throw in the towel, and through the efforts of coach Maverick Weller, kicked three goals in the opening 12 minutes to suddenly cut the margin back to one point.
Devonport managed to get play back on its terms over the next five minutes and extended the lead back out to eight points when Nick Milbourne goaled from a free kick, but Weller continued to carry Penguin and booted his second at the 20-minute mark to set-up a grandstand finish.
However, the Magpies held firm before erupting in pure joy at the final siren as they washed away the pain of defeat in the last two NWFL deciders to win 6.8 (44) to 5.11 (41).
It was the club's first senior premiership since 1988 when they won the TFL title against Glenorchy, while they also hadn't tasted Coastal football success since 1981 when they defeated Penguin in the NWFU grand final.
Devonport's Quade Byard collected the Wayne Wing Medal for best on ground.
Earlier, Penguin got the jump in the opening stages, with Jack Templeton's goal the only major in the first quarter.
The Magpies made their move in the second quarter, keeping the Two Blues goalless while kicking three themselves through Luc Keep, Baynen Lowe and Joseph Chaplin.
They continued that momentum through to the third quarter with another two goals via Lowe and Brady Squires, while Weller's team still couldn't find the big sticks despite the best efforts of Liam Viney, Matt Elliott and Jacob Brown.
Reserves
It was a case of third time's a charm for Penguin in the reserves grand final when they emerged with a two-point victory over Devonport in the grand final.
The Two Blues, who have lost consecutive deciders, applied scoreboard pressure early to the minor premiers, taking an eight-point lead into the first break.
Low-scoring, but physical second and third terms proved to be the difference, with Penguin breaking its grand final hoodoo with a 5.7 (37) to 5.5 (35) victory.
The reality of the win is one Penguin coach Nathan Russell said would take a while to sink in, with the team's efforts through the long season finally rewarded.
Penguin midfielder Sam Mawer was awarded the Alan Broomhall Medal for best on ground, an extra reward on top of his two goals for the game.
Taylor McCormack, who kicked two goals, and Keegan Lowe were among the Magpies best for the day.
It is Penguin's first NWFL reserves premiership since 2017 and second in the club's history.
Under 18s
Devonport's recent domination at under 18 level finally got its ultimate reward on Saturday.
After back-to-back grand final losses, and only two losses in the past three seasons heading in, the Magpies emphatically got the monkey off their back with a 11.11 (77) to 2.6 (18) win over Burnie.
While Devonport controlled possession and territory throughout, it took until late in the second quarter for it really makes its move on the scoreboard, with the game as good as done when the half-time margin was 34 points.
League best and fairest Chase Redpath was awarded the Neil Rawson Medal as the best on ground after a strong game in the midfield for the Pies and two goals.
Teammates Flynn Ayton was strong in defence, joining the likes of Jack Aherne, Josh McConnon, Ryley Haywood, Jai White and Henry Kable in impressing.
Marli Bourn, who kicked both of Burnie's goals and Jeremy Plant were two of the Dockers' best.