The Seagulls’ 10.9 (69) to 10.7 (67) triumph was their first over the Saints since the 2005 preliminary final.

Coincidentally, now-Saints coach Adam Dowie was Terang Mortlake mentor and plotted Port Fairy’s downfall on grand final day.

Port Fairy coach Brett Evans said the Seagulls, who sit outside the top-five on percentage, were thrilled to break their decade-long drought against Koroit.

The Seagulls are in a fight for a finals berth with five home and away rounds remaining.

“The guys knew the importance of it and to the boys’ credit in the last quarter when they (Koroit) got a bit ahead, they (our boys) got back into it and were able to win it,” he said.

“In the first 10 minutes they took control and got themselves, it might have been 10 points in front.

“We needed to kick two goals to win the game and were good enough to respond and bounced back halfway through the quarter.”

McCartney kicked the match-winning goal from a mark with two minutes to go, bringing the Port Fairy faithful to their feet.

“He had to go back and steady and was good enough to do it,” Evans said.

Evans, who praised experienced duo Jackson Hollmer and Sam Rudolph for their steadiness and youngster Kaine Mercovich for his impact, said it was imperative the Seagulls moved on quickly.

They play Camperdown – a team locked on 24 premiership points as well – on Saturday.

“The main message to our boys was ‘there’s so much footy to go, enjoy the win and night but come in tomorrow and concentrate on Camperdown, because it won’t get any easier’,” he said.

Koroit coach Adam Dowie said it was a topsy-turvy contest that “could have gone either way”.

“They took a lot of marks in our forward half of the ground,” he said.

“We couldn’t fault our effort but our ball use at different stages wasn’t great, particularly in our forward half.

“It was a catch 22 – our forwards pushed up the ground to defend and chase and if Port Fairy turned it over, we’d kick it in and they’d intercept the mark or if it hit the ground they would take it away.”

Saint utility Marcus Darmody booted four goals in his return from injury but a tight hamstring restricted his output after quarter-time

Premiership player Tauryn Zimmer is also carrying a hamstring complaint and is also in doubt to face North Warrnambool Eagles next week. TAC Cup duo James Gow and Nick Hausler will return to North Ballarat Rebels following their bye.