Wodonga Raiders sealed fifth spot as expected with a 71-point hiding of North Albury on Saturday.
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Ethan Boxall kicked eight goals to claim best on ground in the 23.13 (151) to 11.14 (80) away win.
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"Yeah, fantastic, especially the first half, he probably kicked six, he's a quality player mate and he's still only young," coach Jarrod Hodgkin said.
He's a quality player mate and he's still only young. He's got all the talent in the world, he's starting to put it together, but he's still got a long way to go to be as good as he can be.
- Raiders' coach Jarrod Hodgkin on Ethan Boxall
"He's got all the talent in the world, he's starting to put it together, but he's still got a long way to go to be as good as he can be."
Boxall kicked four goals in the club's thrilling and low-scoring three-point win over Wangaratta Rovers in round 14.
That win proved the decider in the race for the top five with Raiders edging out the Hawks on percentage by 10.51.
Hodgkin also kicked four himself, doubling his previous output in a game this season.
The heady on-baller finished with 13 for the home and away season and is likely to feature in the Morris Medal after a sterling season.
Livewire Jarrod Ardern and Connor Newnham kicked two goals each, while debutant Cooper Smith also nailed a major.
The Hoppers also had two first gamers with Oscar Ramsden grabbing a goal on debut.
Josh Lloyd was the home team's major focal point in attack, booting four majors, while George Godde chipped in with two.
Apart from Boxall and Hodgkin, defender Shane Munro was terrific, while Daniel Bowles, Alex Daly and Brad St John also performed.
Godde was superb, while Julian Hayes, Lloyd and Jackson Casey featured.
Captain David Miles also played well in his final game.
Miles will coach Howlong in the Hume League in 2020.
He's been an inspirational figure at the Hoppers, battling a serious knee injury for a number of years.
Miles finished with 122 senior games in his 15-year stint.
Raiders will now contest their fifth successive finals campaign, but this will be the first for Hodgkin after Daryn Cresswell led the club in the first four campaigns.
The club will start slight outsiders against sentimental favourites Myrtleford in Sunday's elimination final at Albury Sportsground.
However, Raiders hold the edge in finals experience with the Saints playing only their second final since the 2006 grand final.
Myrtleford lost to Raiders in the 2016 elimination final.
