The Kookaburras hit the lead with less than eight seconds left to hold onto a nail-biting 52-51 win at Lauren Jackson Sports Centre.

“They were a bit patchy but when it counted at the end they got us home and credit to them,” McLean said.

“They really put the effort in.

“It took us a long time to get into the game.

“Once we did that we held our nerves so it was a fantastic effort.”

Down 50-49 with 13 seconds left, the Goldminers hit the lead from the free throw line but the Kookaburras refused to wilt and held onto the lead in what was a physical finish to a high-class game.

McLean said his side deserved the win.

“It’s probably the first game where I’ve seen everybody that’s hit the floor contribute,” he said.

“Jayden Hodgson has been strong all week and he led well down the stretch there for us.

“We’ve had a pretty tough tournament.

“We’ve been up and down all week but the boys came to play today.

“With the way the tournament’s set up the cross-over game is the most crucial one.

“You need to win that to make the semi-finals and that was our focus and we did that.”

The Kookaburras were knocked out of the tournament last night after a 52-36 semi-final loss to the Bushrangers.