Old Collegians recover from 27-point final term deficit to record stunning victory over Nirranda

But Old Collegians were red hot in the final term of the grand final rematch against Nirranda, completing a stunning 41-point turnaround against the reigning premiers to run out convincing winners. 

The Blues celebrated their 2018 seniors premiership by raising the flag at the start of the game and enjoyed an early ascendancy with the first three goals of the game. 

Jack Primmer came off with an injury early in the game but returned to slot a major in the third term, with Nirranda taking 21-point buffer into the final break. 

In the three-quarter time huddle Blues coach Shane Threlfall told his charges if they could maintain strong tackling pressure and boot the first goal of the final stanza, the game would be theirs to lose. 

And while Nirranda did exactly that, it would be the side's final score for the day as Old Collegians went into rampage mode. 

Lochie Young and Dylan Rees engaged in a lengthy discussion on the wing moments before Aaron Williams slotted the Warriors' fifth goal in a row to put his side ahead by a kick. 

Sean Lenehan then snapped a goal at the 29-minute mark to ice the game and hand Old Collegians an unexpected 14-point triumph, defeating Nirranda 10.14 (74) to 9.6 (60) in a seesawing contest.

The win capped off a memorable weekend for Warriors coach Nick Sheehan, who got married the day before.

"It was a bit of a strange game," he said.

"We were getting our hands on the footy early, but we just weren't kicking goals."

Sheehan said his three-quarter time message to the players simple - play on at all costs.

"We had to get the footy flowing through the middle and take the game on," he said.

Sheehan heaped praise on midfielder Bodie Hibberson, who was best afield for the Warriors. 

"You're always envious of the reigning premiers, but it was a great test for us," he said.

"It's only early in the season though and we really need to improve our goal-kicking."

Hibberson said Old Collegians benefited from superior fitness as the game wore on to its climax.

"We were second to the ball in the first half and then really just wanted it a bit more than them," he said. 

"It was a relief at the end. They've still got the last laugh, but it feels good."

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