In the Australian sporting landscape, football grand finals have special place.

The Daily Advertiser sports reporter Courtney Rees takes a look back over the last month of action.

In a unique position sitting on the sidelines of all five football grand finals, its been an interesting past four weeks.

In various capacities I've followed the twists and turns of the Farrer League, Riverina Football League, Group Nine, Southern Inland Rugby Union and Football Wagga seasons, but grand finals are just that little bit different.

Covering four codes, naturally there are big differences between each game and no grand final is ever the same.

They've been nail biting thrillers, topsy turvey changes in momentum, and massive blowouts that failed to deliver on so much hype.

From Narrandera Sportsground, Equex Centre, Maher Oval to Conolly Rugby Complex some fantastic games were played.

On both sides of the equation it ended in tears - some of joy and some of devastation.

Here's 10 things we've learned from the grand finals.

RECORDS MEAN NOTHING ON THE BIG DAY

East Wagga-Kooringal and Southcity built imposing records coming into the grand final, but couldn't deliver when it matters most.

Both clubs hadn't been beaten by their rivals all season, but couldn't match them when the pressure was on.

In fact, they were thoroughly beaten in the big game.

The Bulls were simply outplayed by Albury for 78 minutes of the grand final and in the end had no answers, or tackles, for the rampant attack of the Thunder.

The Hawks are a little different, getting slightly the better of Temora in the opening term before falling away as the Kangaroos powered to a three consecutive premierships.

MAJOR SEMI GLORY LEADS TO LONG-TERM PAIN

Four of the five teams that won major semi-finals couldn't repeat the dose a fortnight later.

Rugby champion Griffith was the only club to win its major semi-final and claim the premiership.

It should be noted that they were also the only club that didn't meet the same club in the grand final.

Whether the week off leaves players thinking about the grand final too much, or the teams that win the preliminary final gain too much momentum, the major semi-final was the game you didn't want to win this season.

NEVER WRITE OFF A CHAMPION

After winning back to back premierships, Temora and the Thunder came into their respective grand finals as the underdogs.

With how the season had panned out, they probably deserved to be, but it was the grand final experience that won out on the day.

Before the start of the season, the Albury Steamers were written off by many after a massive turnover following their premiership, but still managed to make another grand final.

Although the didn't come out on top in the decider, they found themselves in an unlikely position.

ABSENCE MAKES THE HEART GROW FONDER

With Southern Inland competition split, premiership glory becomes a little blurred.

Wagga City won its first first-grade premiership since the 1970s, but after winning the second-tier competition ultimately finished fifth for the season.

Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes and East Wagga-Kooringal went close to breaking their long run of outs, but couldn't complete the dream for supporters.

While Griffith's first win in over a decade is one to be cherished.

THE CREAM RISES TO THE TOP

Of the five grand finals, three saw the top two teams on the ladder play off.

Waratahs' injury woes saw them become the only minor premiers to miss the decider, while EWK finished third on percentage in the congested Farrer League ladder.

With Waratahs already out of the equation, Southcity was the only other minor premiers not to lift up the trophy on grand final.

No club came from outside the top three to make the grand final.

EQUEX THE FIX FOR FOOTBALL WAGGA

Needing a larger ground to showcase its grand final weekend, Football Wagga landed a winner with Equex Centre.

With 11 grand finals played over two-days, the purpose built rugby league grand provided great vantage points to watch the games.

People powered showed too, with more attending this year than at Robertson Oval last year as Wagga United claimed back to back premierships.

TIME FOR A CHANGE

Going back to the South West League days, Narrandera Sportsground was the place to hold the grand final, but not anymore.

The Riverina Football League's pinnacle was overshadowed by the Farrer League and a disappointing Group Nine crowd.

Wagga's larger population is the simple reason - bring the game to the people, don't give them an excuse not to go.

Besides the performances of Griffith, Leeton and Narrandera hardly give a lot of merit for the status quo to remain.

NON-PLAYING COACHES LEADING THE WAY

Every premiership was won by a team coached by a man from the sidelines.

It wasn't the way Mark Kruger planned to leave the Kangaroos, but he joined Travis Weir, Seru Rogo, Shane Lenon and Josh Cale as premiership-winning coaches who didn't have a physical presence on the field.

THERE ARE SOME BIG SHOES TO FILL

Speaking of coaches, three premiership-winning coaches won't be at the helm next season.

Kruger was told his services woulnd't be needed, Cale handed the reins onto Ben Jeffery and Lenon's brother Brett and Chris Gordon will lead the Demons next season.

With Temora yet to lock in a coach, whoever comes in will have a big task replacing the man who took the three premierships, including the first in 52 years.

LIVE STREAMING THE WAY OF THE FUTURE

Being at the grounds, I couldn't get the full experience, but perched near the commentators and the reaction from viewers, the live stream has found its place.

How much it detracts from the crowd, is yet to be determined, but the ability for people living outside the region to watch is a great aspect.

It's almost like watching the AFL, NRL or Super Rugby grand finals.