Waratah handed the longest premiership drought in Men's Premier League history to Palmerston when it beat a courageous Southern Districts by 18 points in the 2022/23 TIO NTFL Grand Final.
Saturday night's clash at TIO Stadium was only decided in the last five minutes when Waratah kicked the last three goals of the match to win its 16th Premier League flag and snap a 23-year premiership drought.
Rob Turnbull, Edward Morris, and captain Brodie Carroll through the middle, and defenders Kieren Andrew and Dan O'Dwyer were standouts in Tahs' 10.10 (70) to 7.10 (52) win.
Champion Southern Districts ruck Matt Dennis won the coveted TIO Chaney Medal as the best player on the ground, joining a handful of players to win the award on a losing side.
A five-goal to two last quarter gave Tahs the win after Districts spearhead Sam Dunstan and Dylan Barry goaled and Districts skipper Dean Staunton was desperately unlucky when he hit the post from 35 meters out.
Waratah coach Ryan Ayres won his first premiership as a player and coach in his fifth season in charge at Gardens Oval following his side's nailbiting win.
"It's the first one in my whole career and the boys were great in winning three matches in the finals,'' Ayres said.
"We knew Districts would respond from a fortnight ago and like any good side, they did."
"To our credit when we were challenged over the last couple of weeks we've learned you respond as a group, not as individuals, 22 players have to show up and we did.''
Turnbull has three weeks to catch his breath before making his way to Perth to pull on the red and white jumper of WAFL club South Fremantle.
"This flag has been three years in the making after last season hurt a lot,'' Turnbull said in between wild celebrations by the Waratah faithful.
"This game went right down to the wire and I'm so proud of this group and how we bounced back so strongly to break that drought and make it so special.
"We were expecting a tough game and dug deep in that final five minutes to get over the line.''
Districts coach Shannon Rusca was gracious in defeat, saying Ayres had got his players up for the biggest game of the season.
"They got the win at the end of the day after we got in front at the 19-minute mark before they responded as good sides do,'' Rusca said.
"Our boys had worked really hard to block the game up and get themselves back into the contest, but Ayresy had his blokes going really well when it counted.''
Watch the full match replay via NT News, Kayo Freebies or the AFLNTv YouTube Channel