Ricky Millar took up the coaching reins at under-18.5 level in 2007, he has taken much of that group through the ranks into reserve level and on the weekend a handful of the original side remained and the efforts of so many years were rewarded with an upset victory over East Point.

East Point entered the grand final undefeated, a draw the only blemish.

Bacchus Marsh entered the big day with two previous unsuccessful grand final attempts. But the Cobras came to Mars Stadium with a well thought-out plan – and executed it perfectly.

A 12.6 (78) to 9.9 (63) victory the end result.

Bacchus Marsh was quick out of the blocks, kicking three goals while holding the Roos to four behinds in the opening term. A 23-point buffer was opened up at the main change. East Point was always going to mount a challenge and it came in the early stages of the third. Three goals in the first six minutes saw it charge back into the contest. But in a massive momentum swing, Jethro Kirby was handed a red card while his teammate was lining up for another East Point goal.

Kirby was sent off, the ball placed in the hands of Bacchus Marsh and the Roos down to 17 men. It may not have been the difference, as Bacchus Marsh controlled key stages on its own accord, but it certainly took the wind out of the East Point sails.

"I kicked off with these boys in 2007 (at under-18 level)...the first three years we might have won four games, we just stuck at it and stuck at it,” Millar said.

"The first one (grand final loss) hurt, second one not so bad, but today the boys were terrific.

"We got East Point one a good day, but you've still got to beat them. We had a reasonably good match plan and we executed it.

"We used our talls well...we went longer to the contest.”

Millar, who also played for the Cobras for the best part of a decade before stepping into coaching, will end his coaching career in perfect fashion, Saturday his last game at the helm.

"It's a great way to go out...the footy gods have said, there’s one for you.”

In the under-18.5 grand final, North Ballarat City produced an accomplished performance to claim the premiership, defeating Sunbury by 47 points.

North were composed with the ball and looked assured for the majority of the game as it led for much of the contest on the way to a 10.16 (76) – 4.5 (29).

Coach Jamie Lamb said while his side had the advantage on the scoreboard, it was not until late in the game, where North kicked 4.6 to 1.1 in the last term, that he felt in full control.

“We did (lead from start to finish), although we never had the game under control,” Lamb said.

“It was a pretty hard-fought win, even though the margin at the end got out.

“Everyone was going to tire on a hot day. Our boys, they’ve trained with the seniors all year, we haven’t had many interchange all year so they’ve played full games, so fitness should’ve been an advantage...I don’t think they got overawed by anything, they just played their role. They’re a talented side, but unless you work hard, talent doesn’t give you much.”

Disappointingly, North’s Sam Duffy ended the day on crutches – he will have scans on an ankle concern.