The Bombers were in front with about a minute to play before the Lions snatched a 13.11 (89) to 12.12 (84) victory at Lake Bolac.

There were big celebrations for the Lions who broke a 36-year premiership drought.

Eales said his team fought hard in the face of adversity.

The Bombers had a horrific run with injuries in the third quarter.

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"We had a bloke snap his leg and two blokes do hammies and no bench," he said.

"The way they responded with no one to come on from half-time was fantastic and it just showed character."

Eales said Ryan Smith broke his leg in the third term and was stretchered from the field.

He added Campbell Watt and Taylor McKenry both tore their hamstrings.

The Bombers, who found themselves eight points up midway through the fourth quarter, couldn't hang on as the Lions kicked the final two majors of the match.

They had come from 27 points down at half-time.

Eales said his team made a slow start.

"Pressure and intensity is always up in grand finals and I didn't want to be the team that took the longest to adjust to it," he said.

"And we were sloppy, our disposal was ordinary early and we gave away silly frees.

"What I was extremely proud of, was how they played the second half.

"It was chalk and cheese."

The Bombers mentor said it was a game of two halves.

"We cost ourselves in the first half and got back into it in the second but you've to play four quarters of footy," he said.

Eales, who hasn't committed to next year, said he and the club would talk about that in the coming weeks.

He said the focus had been on the grand final.

Great Western coach William Bell said it was a fierce contest.

"I think we were quite lucky to get out to an early lead in the game," he said.

"I didn't feel like Penshurst was bad, I think we just capitalized and went forward and went into half-time with a handy lead.

"To Penshurst's credit they really came out and challenged us in the third quarter.

"They got themselves right back in the game.

"It could have gone either way - I think both teams deserved to win."

Lion Gerard Cunningham, who was awarded best on ground by the umpires, kicked the winning goal.

Teammate Danny Grellet, who has been with the club since juniors, also received a best on ground medal for his performance.

"I never ever thought that Great Western was going to be in a position to win a flag," Grellet said.

"To play it with the group of blokes we've got, it was a really good year."

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