It was a successful end to the VFL season for several local names as Warragul's own Lachlan Smith was a part of the premiership-winning Footscray side.
Smith featured as part of the victorious Bulldogs team who defeated Southport in the decider 14.5 (89) to 11.13 (79).
A young ruck, Smith was drafted to the Western Bulldogs at the end of 2023 at pick 47.
Though he's yet to debut at senior level, largely thanks to the form of Tim English, Smith flourished at VFL level as the sole ruck in his side.
Smith registered 35 hit outs in the grand final to go with his 15 disposals, seven clearances and five tackles.
The Bulldogs kicked the first six goals of the day only for the Sharks to slowly drag back the margin until drawing level early in the last quarter.
Footscray were able to pull away thereafter, booting four goals to two to register a hard fought win.
Smith is hardly the only Warragul product showing his wares after Hawthorn high flier Jai Serong claimed his second consecutive best and fairest for Box Hill.
Serong, 22, is the first Box Hill player to win back to back Col Austen Trophies in the club's Hawks era after an excellent season in defence that also saw him named in the VFL's team of the year.
Serong was drafted to Hawthorn at pick 53 in the 2021 AFL draft and has played 10 senior games since. He is the younger brother of Fremantle star Caleb Serong.
Both Serong and Smith featured locally for the Warragul Football Netball Club.