Two of the Ovens and Murray's star exports made their way back for the league's biggest day at Norm Minns Oval on Sunday.
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Sydney Swans coach and former Corowa-Rutherglen forward John Longmire and 2014 Toni Wilson Medallist (with North Albury) Jacqui Newton were the special guests.
The pair took part in the parade of champions, completing a lap of the field as all of the league's top achievers for 2019 were recognised.
Given the success of the Swans in recent years, Longmire has found it difficult to get back for the grand final.
"I played back here (in the league) in 1987 in the seniors and it's good to be back and involved in the local community again," Longmire said.
"My wife and I come back here at Christmas time every year and get back when we can, but this is the first September we (Sydney) haven't been playing finals for 10 years and we took the opportunity to come back.
"It's great to have a chat beforehand, see the size of the crowd here and the talk to the players before the start of the game."
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Newton revealed she was "shocked, but pleasantly surprised" to be invited by the league for grand final day.
"It was amazing. I've never been to a grand final in Wangaratta before and they put on a great spectacle for everyone," Newton said.
"The footy was great and there was a great turnout for the netball.
"I was really happy to go back. Obviously winning the Toni Wilson (Medal) feels like a lifetime ago in 2014 and I haven't been back a whole lot since then.
"I was really glad that they thought of me."
Newton's netball commitments with the Melbourne Vixens at the elite level has kept her very busy, but she always takes a keen interest in her home league.
"Mum and dad always keep me up to date with all the goss and news they read in the paper," she added.
"I try to wrap my head around it all, but it was good to finally see a game, even it was a grand final.
"I had a few friends playing for Corowa and a few playing for Wang, so I was kind of torn.
"To be able to spend the day with John (Longmire) was fantastic, he's a really nice guy."
An official crowd of 8112, which was almost 1000 up on last year, witnessed plenty of quality action.
Wangaratta fell at the final hurdle for the second year in a row, with Lavington collecting its first senior football premiership since 2005.
However, the Magpies weren't to be denied on the netball court, winning back-to-back flags after upstaging Corowa-Rutherglen.
Wangaratta Rovers' duo Jack Boulton and Kelsie Wilson won the inaugural grand final sprints held prior to the first bounce of the senior football.