Coach of the Lae Snax Tigers, Stanley Tepend, says Sunday's come from behind 18-16 win over the Agmark Rabaul Gurias resembled the season his team has had in 2017.
His comments follow the major semi-final match over the weekend.
“It’s been a good effort by everybody. We’ve had injuries and a lot of things that went against us. We had three loses in a row for one patch of the season.
“Credit to the Gurias but our boys stuck it out for the 80 minutes. It was a really big effort by them,” said Tepend.
Tepend added winning the minor premiership this season was an added bonus for the Tigers.
“It wasn’t our target. Finishing in the top two was our target. But the minor premiership came our way and we prepared well for the major semi-final to win it and have the week off before the grand final.
“It all comes back to the boys and my support staff for the effort so far this season,” said Tepend.