The crafty hooker was among the Bulls’ best as the gave Gundagai a 14-point headstart and still came away with the cup.

The 25-year-old was lost for words following the game.

“This is unreal,” Manawatu said. “You train all year for what we have done today.

“They were up 14-nil but no one dropped their heads

“They are a great bunch of blokes and I can’t wait to do it all again next year.”

Manawatu was an unused replacement in the Bulls’ success of 2011 before losing deciders in 2012 and 2014.

However he now has a moment to savour all for himself.

“It makes up all that,” Manawatu said.

“I missed that one but I have got my one now.”

He played a big part in Southcity’s victory.

Some clever work from dummy half ensured the Bulls got on the board in the 17^th minute.

Manawatu put in a neat grubber kick close to Gundagai’s line only for the ball to bounce back up off the legs of Tigers big man Vinny Brown.

However, Manawatu’s reflexes were on point as he swooped up the ricocheted kick to score. 

Despite having the option of Dan Jeffries on the bench, Manawatu played out the entire game.

He said it was part of a long term plan from captain-coach Nick Skinner.

“Skin throughout the year wanted me to build towards these bigger games and playing 80 minutes,” Manawatu said.

“I’ve just over the moon.”

It capped off a big day for the 25-year-old after also coaching Southcity’s Weissel Cup team to victory.

“It is a massive day,” he said.

Nathan Rose was another key Bull on the way to victory.

His pinpoint kick provided Usaia O’Sullivan with the team’s second try.

Rose also created plenty of opportunities with breaks in the second half to help Southcity gain valueable field position.

The slick five-eighth said it was “unreal” to come out on top especially after the disappointment of the team’s last grand final experience.

After being embarrassed when beaten by Albury 45-4, a Group Nine losing record margin in the 2014 decider, the 21-year-old was much happier to be on the winning end this around.

“A couple of years ago when we played Albury they give us a bit of a touch up and Gundy has been killing it all year so we knew we just had to keep turning up for each other to get the job done,” Rose said.

“That is what happened.”