The huge crowd at QEO included a sprinkling of visitors to the region, among them Sunbury pair Lawrie Reynolds and Daryl Griffin.

The duo, who are avid followers of the Ballarat Football League’s Sunbury Lions , said the grand final was an opportunity for a day out and to see some top football.

Of particular interest was the chance to see former AFL St Kilda stars Stephen

 Milne and Steven Baker in action.

Milne I particular did not disappoint, booting six goals, including one in the final quarter that brought up his century of goals for the season.

“With come up for the day to see these players Strathfieldsaye have,” Mr Reynolds said.

“I’m a train driver at V/Line and my colleague Bob Brady, he has the pub out at Strathfieldsaye and he’s one of their sponsors.

“So we thought we would come up and have a look.”

With the game done and dusted, the pair were quick to turn their attention to following the fortunes of former Sunbury boy Matthew White for Port Adelaide in Saturday’s afternoon’s AFL preliminary final against Hawthorn.

Mr Griffin, whose own son Daryl Jr played at the game’s highest level with Footscray, said the club was proud of what White had achieved, first with Richmond and now with the Power.

“Hopefully he returns to the Lions when he finally decides he has had enough,” Mr Griffin said.

“That’s what my son did, he played at Footscray and then Williamstown and then came back to Sunbury.

“We love to see ex-players come back and finish their careers at local level.”