The Wellington Warriors claimed back the Cameron McQuillen Cup from the Gippsland Tigers in the final round of the Victorian Masters AFL. It was an outstanding performance by the Warriors and a tribute to Kain Jackson who is stepping down from coaching. The game was played in fair conditions in front a large home crowd at Nambrok. A good number of ladies enjoyed the spectacle from the members pavilion while partaking in a ladies day. Some of the ladies were worse for wear at the end of the day.

The game started at a frantic pace. Garoni was shining in the ruck. The Warriors scored the first three majors, two to Whitford and another to Knight. The Tigers broke through the Warrior’s press and scored three. Small forward Whitford claimed his third to put the Warriors ahead by a goal at quarter time.

The high standard continued into the second term. Tigers used tempo football to control play across the back half. Long goals to Sage and Jackson and a great mark and snap from power forward Kev Read. Yet the Tigers outscored the Warriors four goals to one to tie the game up at the long break.

With great run and carry the Tigers assumed control in the third term. They piled on five goals to two. Heatherton was holding the Warriors' backline together. At this stage the momentum was with the Tigers and the match seemed to be beyond the tiring warriors.

Against the run of play the Warriors scored two goals to Hutchinson and Mann within five minutes of the restart. Oldham came right into the game in the back completing several game changing intercepts. Bloink dazzled with piercing runs, the McQuillens were in everything and Whitford scored a fourth. The Tigers dropped their bundle and resorted to swan dives and sooking. Kev Stevens, back from a season long soft tissue injury, kicked the sealer from a tight angle in the grand stand pocket. The Warriors ran in seven goals in all to win comfortably.