Emus' Connor McGoverne tunnels his way to premiership glory with last-minute try

It was the replacement who scored what turned out to be the match-winning try for Orange Emus in their 28-25 victory over Bathurst Bulldogs, having been a late in to the side before kick-off.

Emus second grade coach Greg Hedley admitted his side "got a bit of luck" when the opportunity came up to score off the back of a few phases.

No one would agree more than McGoverne, who converted the second of two tries in the final five minutes of the grand final at Ashwood Park to cement a remarkable come-from-behind win.

The visitors were trailing 25-14 with the five minutes to go before Keith Howarth stormed over and then, with less than three minutes to go, McGoverne scooped up a loose ball and tumbled over the line.

"It just spilled out," McGoverne explained of the ball.

"It was almost like I snuck under the legs of the bloke in front of me like a little tunnel, like you do when you're a five-year-old, and then it was just open space."

Once he grounded the ball, many of the players and most of the crowd looked shocked.

"I was waiting for the whistle to be in your ear. And then it honestly felt like it took him [referee Nathan Pearce] a minute to raise his arm and put the whistle to his lips. It was unreal," McGoverne smiled.

Joel Urban converted for Emus to take a 28-25 lead and they managed to hold on for the final minute to claim the come-from-behind victory.