After coming through the Magpies’ juniors together, Kelly and Boyle missed the 2007 and 2008 flags for different reasons.

Kelly returned to home club Bright and played in losing grand final sides in the Ovens and King league while Boyle was a member of the Murray Bushrangers’ grand final team in 2007 before being rookie listed by Port Adelaide the following season.

“It’s been a bit of a stinger,” Kelly, 30, said.

“After a few years of Albury dominance, I thought I mightn’t get another chance.

“A bit of loyalty and hard work paid off though.

“It’s fantastic to finally get there.”

Boyle, 28, watched Wangaratta defeat North Albury in the 2007 grand final while waiting to play for the Murray Bushrangers against Calder Cannons at the MCG the following weekend.

“I was pretty heartbroken to miss that,” he said.

“With my old man (David) playing in the 1976 flag, it was pretty shattering.

“We lost to Calder by about 50 points as well.

“The next year I got picked up by Port Adelaide and wasn’t around.”

Kelly and Boyle weren’t about to miss their chance at Lavington Sportsground on Sunday.

In a sensational opening, the Magpies stormed out of the blocks with Michael Newton and Kelly unstoppable in attack as they raced to a 28-point lead at quarter-time.

“It’s the greatest footy moment I’ve ever had,” Boyle said.

“To do it with your home club is just the ultimate.

“I can’t think of anything that could beat that.

“We rocked up and wanted to play.

“Everyone was calm and to come out in the first quarter and play like that with blokes like ‘Muscle’ (Kelly) was outstanding.”

Brothers Judd and Daine Porter were the only Magpies to back-up from the 2007 and 2008 premiership teams.

“We set ourselves for a good start but I didn’t think we would blow them out of the water,” Kelly said.

“We knew they would come hard and they did so it was great to get those two late goals.”