The Koroit ruckman-forward defied an emotionally draining lead-in to win the Roy Hoy Medal as the Saints snared back-to-back flags for the first time in their history on Saturday.

"Dad had a quadruple bypass about a week ago,” Zimmer said on the ground surrounded by the Saints’ faithful.

“He is here today, he's sitting in the car so I am going to go and see him very soon.

"It's been very tough. There was a stage there where I didn't think that I'd play but we got through it.

"Dad had great care, got through it and look what happened, he's here watching the grand final. It is unreal.”

Zimmer, 32, was influential as Koroit overcame a slow start to bury Warrnambool in front of a huge crowd at Reid Oval.

"It is incredible; the best feeling on earth going back-to-back,” he said.

"We had a job to do today.

“It didn't go to plan in the first half but we stuck to our guns and have come through with a victory. It's brilliant.”

Koroit skipper Isaac Templeton capped off a stunning season, winning the AFL Victoria medal. The two-time Maskell Medallist was prolific in the second half to be one of the Saints’ most damaging ball winners.

He booted two last-quarter goals as Koroit hit celebration mode.

"I was the same as the team. I was a bit scratchy early, a bit fumbly. I didn't know what was going on,” Templeton said.

"We were in a bit of trouble in that first quarter.

“I felt like we started playing well halfway through the second quarter.

"It started with our back line. They kept us in the game when Warrnambool was on top and allowed us not to get blown away early.

"I thought Dan Harrington on Sam Cowling was tremendous and Tim McPherson as well, I thought he was brilliant.”

Templeton said he was thrilled four more players – Will Couch, Tom Lynch, Michael Darmody and McPherson–  joined him in the Saints’ premiership club.

"It is just brilliant. It is good to see everyone get on board,” he said.

“This is the closest group I have ever played with.”