The 19-year-old, who had played two senior games earlier in the season, decided to train on with the senior group, just happy to be associated with the senior side’s finals campaign.

But injuries and illness to a number of players before the preliminary final earned him a place in the senior team. 

He held his spot for the grand final when Jayden Whitehead failed to overcome a debilitating bout of gastro.

Mugavin was given an important role on Warrnambool’s dangerous small forwards and did it well as the Blues’ mosquito fleet failed to have the impact they had in the second semi-final.

In just his fourth game of the season and 12th of his senior career, he is a premiership player.

“I can’t explain it. It’s unreal. I’ve never been so happy,” Mugavin said.

“It’s the best day of my life. I still can’t believe it.”

Mugavin said he only had himself to blame for not being part of the senior team earlier.

“I didn’t put in the hard yards in the pre-season,” he said after contemplating not playing at all this season. Halfway through the year something really hit me. Playing with guys like Joe McLaren and Chris McLaren, those best players, they’re not going to be around forever. I really wanted to get back in there.”

Mugavin, who is vowing to do a big pre-season, never thought he would be part of the finals. “I just thought I would keep training because I enjoy hanging out with the blokes. I was just thinking pre-season next year.”

Coach Adam Dowie said: “We took a massive chance on Tom Mugavin. We had to do something after the second semi-final and I thought he was good.”

Mugavin was one of 17 first-time premiership players in Koroit’s 21.