Ironically Andrew Foster, a 33-year-old, kicked the last goal of yesterday’s elimination final to sink his former team Cobden and keep the Saints’ hopes of back-to-back flags alive.

Foster’s strong mark on the edge of the goal square and subsequent accurate set shot with 45 seconds to go in the match clinched the 9.17 (71) to 9.10 (64) result but it also put an exclamation mark on a message to the league’s tyros — experience counts.

Played in front of about 2200 people who paid $15,000 at the Friendly Societies’ Park gates, Koroit prevailed in a match that had six lead changes and sudden, yet long-lasting momentum swings.

Foster, Koroit coach Joe McLaren, his assistant Simon O’Keefe, defender Chris McLaren, all 30 or over, were pivotal across the contest.

It was a similar story with the Bombers, with veterans Stephen Dickinson, half-forward Brad Couch and defender Greg Tongs all making significant contributions.

When the Saints looked in trouble in the second term as Cobden opened a two-goal buffer, it was O’Keefe who found plenty of the ball deep in defence, floating across to make several interceptions.

He often linked with Joe McLaren, who controlled play on the southern wing for most of the day, which allowed Foster, ruckman/forward Joe Woonton and Chris Morrison, all experienced hands, to come into the play.

The first three quarters started with Cobden dominating possession but ended with Koroit surging back, twice establishing leads in time-on (at the end of the first and third terms) and once drawing level (half-time).

Cobden looked to have grabbed a decisive lead in the third term with two goals in 80 seconds through youngster Matthew Harkin, who got on the end of a long kick to the goalsquare and centre half-forward Paul Hinkley, who capped some outstanding work with a booming goal from outside 50 metres.