Drained physically and mentally, the rookie Braves coach was almost lost for words, and that’s saying a lot for those who know Harvey, as he tried to sum up the Braves east conference grand final win.

‘‘We started poorly, but we stuck to our plans and we got the result,’’ Harvey said.

‘‘Knox looked so tired in the final quarter and we just kept pushing the ball and we wore them down.

‘‘Our bench players just made a huge difference.

‘‘I’m so proud to be coach of these guys. It’s a special feeling to win a final on your own home court.’’

Trailing by six points at half-time, Harvey kept things positive at the break.

‘‘I knew things would eventually turn if we stuck to what we do best,’’ Harvey said.

‘‘In the third quarter we started to make a few shots and then Chris Hogan really lit it up for us in the final quarter.’’

Leading into the game Harvey said it would take a team effort to win the final and that’s what he got.

Imports Ivan McFarlin (25 points and 11 rebounds) and Luke Meyer (17 points, five assists and four rebounds) led the way.

Meyer’s defensive effort to hold Knox’s C.J. Massingale to 15 points was one of the major reasons the Braves won.

Imports aside, Harvey received valuable contributions from his local talent.

Hogan produced his best when it mattered most, with nine of his 15 points coming in the final quarter.

Adam Tanner kept the Braves in the game in the first half, finishing with 13 points and nine boards.

Warren Randall was given the runaround by Knox guard Sean Carroll in the first half, but he came good down the stretch to finish with eight points.

Kevin Probert (five points, seven assists) was instrumental in the Braves’ second-half comeback.

Carroll (18 points) was Knox’s best player, while Lester Strong (21 points, 14 rebounds) had an enthralling duel with McFarlin.

Former Braves duo Mick Hill (14 points, six rebounds, four assists) and Cam Rigby (10 points and six rebounds) were solid for Knox.

The Braves will now prepare for next Saturday’s SEABL championship game against south conference winner Geelong at Melbourne Sports Aquatic Centre.

‘‘The east conference title was always our number one goal, but now that we’ve qualified for the SEABL championship game we want to win that, too,’’ Harvey said.