THE Casino Lions have tasted grand final glory for the first time after winning their first premiership in club history.

The Lions took out this year’s AFL North Coast reserves premiership, beating the Coffs Harbour Breakers in a bruising season decider at Ce.x Coffs International Stadium.

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The weekend’s wet weather made for a brutal encounter, with the Lions physicality and pressure winning the contested ball leading to forward entries and a 31-point lead early in the third quarter which proved to be match winning.

The Lions got the job done in the club’s first grand final in senior competition, with the club entering the AFL North Coast competition last year after previously being a part of the AFL Northern Rivers competition.

Lions coach Brett Patton was overjoyed with his club’s first premiership win.

“It means everything to our club, and I’ve been there from the start since we originally formed in 2003,” he said.

“It was on my bucket list to win the clubs first premiership, and to share it with my son who played in the grand final was special.

“It was our first grand final in the seniors, as we had made a junior grand final but we lost it,” he said.

“We won it on guts and heart, and we all have a lion’s heart at the club.”

By Aiden BURGESS