BRETT Szabo is the toast of Heyfield after kicking the winning goal in the dying minutes in a thrilling North Gippsland football preliminary final.
The Kangaroos veteran stole the show in the second half by booting six goals while treating spectators to some exhilarating individual efforts.
Holding a commanding 45-point lead in the early stages of the third quarter, Gormandale appeared destined to seal a second grand final berth in as many seasons before the Kangaroos found their groove, booting 5.8 to nil in the final term.
As the clock counted down, the experienced and cool heads of Heyfield began to emerge, David Kelly and Lyell Berry combining on the wing to draw forward.
Berry took on the Tigers defence, weaved around several opponents before spotting Szabo directly in front of goal.
The big man took a strong mark before going back to put through his sixth major to put the Kangaroos in front for the first time since early in the opening term.
The goal gave Heyfield the win, 13.15 (93) to 13.11 (89), and a place in its third grand final in five years.
From the bounce it was Gormandale at its imperious best: hungry, hunting and running.
While its pride was dented last week, there was the threat Heyfield would hit the ground running from the opening bounce, but it was Gormandale that held the upper hand early.
Both teams were nervous in the opening minutes before the Tigers took control in the midfield with their skill, pace and tackling.
Paul Richards broke through for the opening goal for Gormandale.
Heyfield quickly responded, goaling from the centre bounce before Stuart Anderson made it consecutive majors for the Kangaroos.
The Tigers began to dominate the clearances with Daniel Domaille, Bobby Pacunskis, Shayne Simpson and Brendan Solomon prepared to put their bodies on the line.
An indiscretion in Gormandale's pocket saw Heyfield a man down following a yellow card to Nathan Wellins.
A 50 metre penalty and shot for goal by Gormandale reeled the margin back to two points, before back-to-back goals by Solomon put the Tigers in front as their confidence grew.
At the other end of the ground a 50 metre penalty ensured Berry made no mistake, with the Tigers leading by four points at quarter-time.
A commanding second term served the Tigers well, kicking 4.5 to 0.1 to take a 32-point lead into the long change.
The pressure of the Tigers' backline, led by Adam Jaensch, Lee Renton and Rob Voss, combined with their ability to rebound strongly from defence enabled the side's forwards to pepper away at the sticks in the second term.
Captain Domaille extended the margin out to 13 points before the Sam and Ben Marks combined in front of goal for the Tigers' second for the term.
A point midway through the second term was all Heyfield could muster, before Gormandale's Solomon and Pacunskis got in on the action in front of goals prior to half time.
Riding high on a strong first half, the Tigers came out firing after the long break, registering the opening two goals to push the margin out to 42 points.
Szabo looked to get into the match as the Kangaroos appeared down and out.
Heyfield had all the scoring opportunities but was unable to convert before Szabo eventually goaled.
Each time the Kangaroos looked to challenge, the Tigers responded, this time through Paul Rouget.
A free kick to Richards 30 metres directly in front of goal on the three-quarter siren gave his team a 34-point lead which, if not for the character of the Kangaroos, should have been the final nail in the coffin.
The Kangaroos chased the Tigers down in the final term. Josh Neille was instrumental, while Kelly and Anderson in the middle of the ground were tenacious and remained level-headed as their side got a sniff.
The side's defence, led by Mark Bedggood, Luke Wilson, who kept Richards at bay, Aaron Duffy and Justin Cox, who swooped up the loose ball across half-back, worked tirelessly to hold the Tigers scoreless in the final term.
Szabo kicked off proceedings with the first goal of the term. Consecutive behinds may have proved costly for Heyfield, but its smaller players where dogged in holding the ball within their offensive half.
Missed shots from Anderson and Bedggood, were followed by a goal under pressure by Neille as the Kangaroos drew to within 27 points.
A solid grab by Jake Shingles over Wayne Henry sent the Kangaroos forward, Szabo getting on the other end to goal.
A free kick to Shaun Humphries saw the forward goal, with the Tigers' lead dwindled back to five points.
Henry was moved down back as the Tigers' coaching staff looked to halt the Kangaroos' run with less than seven minutes left.
A number of missed shots from Heyfield encroached on the margin, but were doing little for its premiership ambitions before Berry and Szabo combined to land the killer blow.
The Kangaroos' dramatic win sets up a grand final against Churchill.
BOISDALE-Briagolong proved too good for Sale City in the reserves. The Bombers will play Churchill in the grand final after their 19.13 (127) to 9.5 (59) win.
The thirds grand final will be between Gormandale and Stratford after the Swans defeated Cowwarr 15.9 (99) to 11.6 (72).
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