Win, lose or draw the pair said they would be retiring after the match. Now they can bow out with a premiership.

Steel played five-eighth in the decider, with Staff making cameo appearances off the bench.

The Tigers turned around a month of indifferent form to dominate the grand final. Staff predicted before the match that second rower Michael Rees would play an important role, saying that when Rees plays well the side usually follows. This proved to be spot on, with Rees producing a player of the match performance. He was particularly effective in attack and he set up the final try of the game to ensure the trophy would be heading to Tiger Town.

Hooker Adam Kerr carried a hamstring injury into the game. But this didn't seem to worry him too much, with Kerr scoring the opening two tries and generally turning in a busy performance. Corey Wheeler started the game from the bench but had plenty of game time and he was another Tiger to shine in what was a great allround effort from Wingham.

The Hawks were off their game. Rarely did their attack, which had been so potent in the final series, click into gear, although they did get within six points of Wingham in the second half.

The Tigers led 16-0 at halftime via Kerr's two tries while Staff and Wheeler combined to send fullback Ryan Morris over for the third touchdown just before the break. Glenn O'Davis kicked two goals.

Big Bill Ryder crashed over to open Forster's account early in the second half and Jake Bolt kicked the conversion. This was Forster's best passage of the game and when Callie Job scored from a kick soon after the margin was 16-10.

However, the Tigers regained their composure and fittingly, Rees punched his way through the line and sent winger Jarrad Gibson haring away for the try to seal the match. O'Davis then steered the conversion over from the sideline and it was game, set and match to the minor premiers.

"It was a tough game - it was very hot out there,'' an exhausted Steel said at fulltime.

"But I thought we were in control for most of the game. There was a stage in the second half when they put a couple of tries on us when we were running into the wind. But generally it was good.''

Steel described Ree's performance as 'awesome.'

"He led the way for us today for sure,'' Steel added.

"And Nugget (Adam Kerr), he came back strongly today and showed just how good a player he is. His hamstring wasn't a problem - I couldn't keep up with him, but that doesn't mean much.''

Steel said under 18 players Jarrad Gibson and Harry Lewis provided the side with some X-Factor.

"With the pace they've got, they just killed it out there today. They helped out the big blokes and that was a bonus.''

The Tigers lost just two games throughout the year - in successive weeks when going down in the final competition match and then the major semi-final. They also had to come from behind to win the final the previous week against Port City.

"We had a bit of a stumble towards the end of the year, but I knew we'd come good for the big game. I was pretty confident about today,'' Steel said.

"And that's it for me. I've retired.''