Rugby League coach Jack Gibson used the immortal line when he led Parramatta to its first premiership in 1981.

Wangaratta had won 14 heading into Saturday’s grand final against Albury at the Lavington Sportsground, but none had tackled a side which had lost just one game in two years.

However, the Pies slayed the dragon with a 16.9 (105) to 13.6 (84) win in front of a disappointing crowd of 6425.

Captain Michael Newton won best on ground with eight goals, the first time someone has achieved that against Albury since Wodonga Raiders’ Patty Rose in 2012.

“Michael was unbelievable today (Saturday), that’s what leaders do, that’s what champs do,” mentally exhausted Pies’ coach Dean Stone said.

Veteran defender Luke Packer withdrew after he woke up sore with his hamstring injury, with Will McIntosh brought in.

Newton dominated the first quarter, kicking four goals as the underdogs raced to a 28-point lead.

Simon Thomas had a brutal test against Newton, who had played just over a half in two months with a hamstring problem.

The nuggety Matt Kelly landed two goals, one from a 50-metre penalty.

Albury was under siege, with only two goals to Doug Strang medallist Josh Mellington halting the avalanche.

Wangaratta defender Dylan Van Berlo was outstanding, but the Pies missed chances to extend the margin before the Tigers settled.

Mitchell produced a goal of the match contender, from 45 metres out on the boundary line in front of the grandstand.

However, ill-discipline from Chris Hyde handed defender Mat Grossman a major and ex-North Melbourne player Ben Speight landed a second belter from 50 metres for a 26-point half-time lead.

Newton then pushed the margin to the game’s biggest lead – 37 points – with an audacious grubber off the outside of his boot.

The Tigers kicked the next three, but when two players flew at Newton in the air, the ball spilt to an unmarked Speight.

Tigers’ forward Erish Uthayakumar, who had been quiet, kicked two goals and the margin was back to eight points with seven minutes left.

But Joe Richards broke the Tigers’ hearts when he weaved out of trouble and kicked to Newton, who took a diving mark.

Josh Porter, the story of the preliminary final, flying back from the US, produced a miracle snap and Albury’s dream of equalling the record of four straight flags was over.