Last minute winner: How Moranbah pulled off a thrilling AFL Mackay premiership victory

Moranbah Bulldogs won the AFL Mackay under-17 grand final over North Mackay Saints in a finish that has to be seen (or read about) to believe.

Moranbah Bulldogs vs North Mackay Saints AFL Mackay 2024 grand final at Etwell Park Bakers Creek. Picture: Daniel McLean

Grand final day is a day of miraculous moments, of the ultimate joy and of brutal heartbreak.

And no moment captured this essence more than the conclusion to Moranbah Bulldogs and North Mackay Saints’ under-17 grand final, which saw the Bulldogs’ captain Riley King kick a goal on the siren to secure a 10.4 (64) to 9.8 (62) victory.

King took a massive contested mark in a pack roughly 45m from home, but rather than going back on the mark for a set shot, wheeled and set sail for home just centimetres from the boundary line, with the ball bouncing on the vacant goal line and through for six points.

“I was right there, and I knew that when he has the ball in his hands we’re every chance for a goal,” Bulldogs coach Lee Parker said.

“My heart would’ve said go back and kick the goal at the time, but he backed himself and took it on.

Riley King (right) kicked the match-winning goal on the siren for Moranbah in the under-17 grand final. Coach Lee Parker (left) heaped praise on the key forward and captain. Picture: Daniel McLean

“I never doubt him.”

This was an enthralling battle from the outset, with the Saints getting the better start of the two sides courtesy of a three-goal first quarter from their key forward Zahn Bugeja.

The Saints maintained their slim seven-point advantage at half time as both teams kicked 3.2 for the second quarter, before Moranbah took control of the third quarter to open up a lead of their own.

Zahn Bugeja played a starring role for the Saints, booting four goals in the match including three in the first quarter. Picture: Daniel McLean

“That was one of the toughest games the team has had all season, we worked really hard from the preseason to prepare ourselves for a game like this,” Parker said.

The fourth quarter was the most drama-filled of all, with the teams trading blows to take their turn at holding the lead.

The Saints had a chance to seal it late in the fourth quarter, with a set shot up by three points, but a miss to the left opened the door for the Bulldogs to go down the field and win it off King’s boot.

“We ran into some great form heading into the finals. The Saints are the best team out there, and with a minute left in that game I didn’t think we were going to win it, but here we are,” Parker said.