At 1-all with the full-time whistle approaching Sunday’s match at Proctor Park looked certain to be heading for extra time, but little did everyone know that a remarkable conclusion was about to unfold inside the last 10 minutes.

There had been no change to the scoreboard since the 11^th minute.

Both supporter groups were doing their best to keep the energy levels high on a chilly Bathurst evening, and the CSU side of the ground soon had a reason to crank the volume up to a new level.

Alec Geelan capitalised on a PFC defensive lapse to find the breakthrough goal, sparking wild celebrations from players and fans alike at the northern end of the ground.

Moments later the Stags’ Ben Green doubled the advantage.

However, the match’s dramatic finish still had more to offer.

With less than five minutes remaining the Goats brought the margin back to one when Paul Long’s effort on goal was followed up by a determined Panorama attack.

Panorama peppered the CSU goal with more late efforts but the Stags held on to defend their premiership in thrilling fashion.

“It was great to watch. The boys worked for the full 90 minutes. I had belief that they could do it. They had belief in themselves too,” CSU coach Mitch Kunnen said.

“I couldn’t be prouder of them. To go back-to-back is even sweeter.

“At half-time heads were down, and it’s hard finding the right words to tell them that they’re playing well.

“When we came back out we stuck in, played like a team, passed it around and scored some goals. It was lovely to watch.”

Panorama president Beau Yates thanked the team and supporters post-game for an encouraging season.

“Uni got off to a great start there but we hit back and pressed for the first half. It was there for anyone’s taking at half-time. It was a great game of football,” he said.

“Supporter-wise and fan-wise it was the best grand final probably in BDF history. 

“We’re disappointed and I’m shattered but it’s unbelievable what we’ve done for football. 

“Congrats to uni. It might have been that grand final experience that got them there. There’s a great future for Panorama, and us and CSU together are forging big things.

“It’s been a tough year with highs and lows. I feel sorry for the boys but I guess maybe you’ve got to lose one to win one.”

Panorama put the foot down at the start of the match to set up to first big opportunity of the game in the sixth minute.

Jaiden Culbert’s free kick bounced awkwardly in front of CSU stopper Bryan Warren. The Stags goalkeeper couldn’t handle the shot but luckily for him the ball was cleared out of danger.

Against the run of play CSU picked up the first goal of the game.

Immediately after the close call at their own end CSU brought the ball down the left wing in a dangerous move.

The ball made its way into the Goats’ penalty area and Olly Briggs was at the scene to give the students the lead in the seventh minute.

Panorama weren’t discouraged and less than five minutes later had found a crucial equaliser.

Culbert was engaging in a foot race with CSU’s Jake Brown down the Goats’ right wing – a battle which Brown appeared to have won.

Brown’s diving attempted clearance didn’t connect with the ball and it gave Culbert a chance to bring the ball towards goal along the baseline.

Culbert caught Warren a tad too far off his line. The Panorama striker was on the money with his finish on the outside of his right boot, nailing the shot from a tight angle.

It could have been 2-1 in Panorama’s favour just moments later when Long’s stab from outside the box forced a reaching save.

CSU provided a strong long effort of their own through the boot of Geelan.

His strike required a handy save through Ryan Ellis.

Panorama continued to enjoy the better share of chances throughout the half, even if CSU were beginning to even up the possession statistic.

In the 18^th minute Long found Culbert at the top of the box but the latter’s shot went too high.

The match had been a physical one from the outset.

Geelan was the first victim of that when he came off injured in the 31^st minute.

The last genuine opportunity of the opening half for either team to score came at courtesy of Panorama.

Angus Daymond found the space to deliver a dangerous cross into the CSU penalty area but no-one was on hand finish the job.

Like they did in the opening half Panorama were enjoying more time on the ball when the new period got underway.

CSU’s defence was up to the challenge as they prevented several dangerous plays from the Goats before the 55^th minute.

The students’ first chance of the half came from a John Henry. The shot didn’t have the firepower to get through Ellis.

Stags were starting to assert themselves in the midfield with 20 minutes to go while the Goats continued to threaten on both wings.

CSU suffered a big scare when Warren collided hard with Jarrah Hale while attempting a sliding save at the top of the penalty area.

Thankfully for the Stags Warren got back up to see out the remainder of the game.

In the shadows of injury time CSU’s Geelan enjoyed a moment he won’t forget for a long time.

Geelan spun off his defender and found himself one-on-one with Ellis.

His finish found the low left corner of the Panorama goal and turned Proctor Park into a den of CSU noise.

In a stunning moment CSU then extended the lead through Green, who pounced on a Panorama error from a free kick.

Panorama weren’t in the mood to quit and their drive down the field was rewarded with a scrappy goal at the left post.

Long went for a lengthy, hopeful effort outside the CSU box in the shadows of full time but it didn’t get through Warren’s hands.