There was quite a strong Gold Coast SUNS flavour in the QAFL Grand Final on the weekend, with a handful of Labrador players having ties to Metricon Stadium.
 
In a fairytale finish, Labrador clutched the premiership in the dying stages of a thrilling encounter at Yeronga, defeating Morningside 14.12 (96) to 13.11 (89).
 
The connections between the SUNS and Tigers has never been stronger, with 2015 NEAFL coaches Josh Fraser and Matthew Lappin playing up forward, as well as budding academy star Dyson Budarick and SUNS Events Coordinator Ryan Davey skippering the side.
 
Both Lappin and Fraser booted three goals each to play telling roles in the seven-point win, with the former St Kilda and Carlton livewire forward kicking the sealer in the dying seconds.
 
The pair played nine and ten games respectively, finding time around their commitments with the SUNS to pull on the Tigers guernsey throughout the winter months. A move that was richly rewarded with a premiership medallion as the sun begun to set on Saturday afternoon.
 
Dual Grogan medallist Davey was at his ball-winning best against the Panthers helping lead Labrador to victory, whilst Budarick, in just his third senior appearance of the season after spending the year playing for the SUNS reserves along with state duties, was one of the best players on the ground.