The Northern Territory Lions have become the first team to win a premiership from outside the top four, the Central Phoenix feeder defeating The Entrance today after finishing seventh in the regular season.

Many pundits found the result satisfying, with the Lions possessing one of the strongest sides on paper despite their lowly finish. The Entrance, who experienced two defeats in succession to Northern Territory (in round twenty six and the opening quarter final) were understandably nervous about clashing with the Lions- who showed they had the Tigers' number in recording a solid 16-4 win in the curtain raiser to the Gold Coast vs. Central grand final.

The Lions lead 10-4 at halftime, and Dean Limpus scored two minutes into the second half to give the game its final face. For The Entrance, their only joy came through Geelong bound David Razzle- who capped off a magnificent year with a grand final try. Razzle, who struggled to make first grade at Canberra in his rookie year, finished well clear as the division's top try scorer.

For the Lions, tries were scored by Dean Limpus, Brett Howland, and Sunshine Coast bound Steve Witt. Nathan Tolley, in the absence of regular five eighth Mark Mom, kicked two from four attempts.

Italian international Raphael Turturro took out man of the match honours on the back of a mammoth tackle count, whilst Steve Witt and Dean Limpus also received nods from the Dally M judges.

With the RSC season over, a number of the players from today's Grand Final move onto bigger and better things.
David Razzle: Geelong
Sonny-Bill Williams: Earns a call-up to the top squad at Central Coast
Romeo Magro: Joins Sonny Bill in the top squad

Beau Rivers: Will move into the Phoenix's top squad after a sterling year as captain
Steve Witt: Joins Sunshine Coast to try and earn a start at Gold Coast
Lee Jackson: Retiring
Anthony Farrell: Joins Steve Witt at Sunshine Coast
Clint Newton: Despite starting off the bench this season, Newton will join his captain at Central.

The Result
Northern Territory Lions 16
Steve Witt
Dean Limpus
Brett Howland
Tolley 2/4
defeated
The Entrance Tigers 4
David Razzle
Tabuli 0/1

PoM Points:
Raphael Turturro.............3
Steve Witt.......................2
Dean Limpus...................1

haha go raph! former Surfers Punk boy!

whoooot go The Entrance... next year baby.. next year