Southern has beaten Harbour 24-15 to claim its first premier banner since 2007 and the Magpies have a diminutive winger to thank for it.
Mackenzie Haugh, the super sub who got on after only a couple of minutes when Bryce Hosie was sidelined with an injury, scored with his first touch and bagged two others to help seal the win.
But while the winger played an instrumental role, it was Southern's set piece which laid the ground work for the win.
Harbour launched some dangerous counterattacks but Southern's defence held up.
THE FACTS:
Referee: Adam Morrison
Record prior to game:
Southern: Played 16, won 13, lost 2, drew 1; beat Kaikorai 15-10 in the semifinals
Harbour: Played 15, won 11, lost 3, drew 1; beat Dunedin 40-27 in the semifinals
Teams
Southern: Bryce Hosie, Ben Leggett, Paul Tupai, Tei Walden, Josh Buchan, Josh Ioane, Josh Walden (captain), Mika Mafi, Adam Knight, Josh Clark, Andrew Sanders, Axel Hohneck, Mike Mata’afa, Cameron Keech, Craig Millar. Reserves: Joe Weatherall, Simon Knight, Harry Flood, Jake McEwan, Kyle Harris, Mackenzie Haugh, Rema Smith.
Harbour: Sala Halaleva, Hemaua Samasoni, Ewan Brumwell, Sio Tomkinson, Jerome Harimate, Logan Allen, Tala Fagasoaia, Charles Elton (captain), James Tomkinson, Ben Whale, Chucky Koroi, Sione Misiloi, Giorgio Bower, Sekonaia Pole, Aiden Spence. Reserves: Christian Schaaf, Benny Rumble, Alan Burling, Patrick Sio, Vinnie Isherwood, Rory Parata, Marckis Schaaf.