Brisbane celebrates the 2019 NEAFL flag.

BRISBANE has completed a perfect undefeated season in the NEAFL, thrashing Southport by 76 points to claim the club's fourth second-tier premiership in nine years. 

The Lions went into the match as unbackable favourites and booted six goals to one in the first term to open a commanding lead. 

They were never challenged thereafter and led by as much as 96 points after Lewis Taylor kicked the first goal of the final term, before the Sharks hit back with three successive goals to limit the damage. 

Brisbane's AFL rookie-listed big man Matt Eagles was awared the Andrew Ireland Medal for the best player of the Grand Final for his 21-disposal, eight-mark game as an intercepting defender. 

Other Lions to star included Corey Lyons (35 disposals), Rhys Mathieson (27 disposals, 10 tackles and a goal) and Taylor (31 disposals, three goals). Ben Keays (24 disposals, four goals) and Cedric Cox (15 touches, four goals) were Brisbane's leading goalkickers. 

Former Gold Coast midfielder and current Southport co-captain Andrew Boston was a shining light for his side with 34 disposals and a goal, while another ex-Sun, Matt Shaw, was also prolific with 23 touches. 

Meanwhile, Essendon has fallen one game short of the VFL Grand Final for the second straight season.

Retiring Bomber Mark Baguley kicked the first goal of the day but Williamstown responded with the next seven either side of quarter-time to set up the 14.12 (96) to 9.16 (70) victory.

Brayden Ham's goal after the half-time siren slashed the deficit to 16 points before the Seagulls – behind ruckman Nick Meese and ex-Kangaroo Mitch Hibberd – took control again in the second half. 

Brayden Ham celebrates a goal during the Dons' loss to Williamstown. Picture: AFL Photos

Ham was the sole Essendon player to kick multiple majors in the breezy conditions, while Ben McNiece led the Bomber ball-winners with 21 disposals across half-back.

Jordan Ridley won 20 possessions, Jake Long and another retirement-bound veteran David Myers had 17, and rookie-listed Tom Jok amassed 14 touches, 10 tackles and 12 hitouts.

Ben McNiece darts away from a Seagulls opponent. Picture: AFL Photos

And in the SANFL, Adelaide has missed an opportunity to face off with crosstown rival Port Adelaide in next Sunday's SANFL Grand Final by going down to Glenelg on Sunday in the preliminary final.   

The Tigers won by 27 points with Luke Reynolds kicking five goals and former Richmond player Liam McBean booting four in the clash at Adelaide Oval.  

For the Crows, Darcy Fogarty, Shane McAdam, Jordan Gallucci and Tyson Stengle kicked two goals each while Patrick Wilson had 29 disposals.

Retiring Crows stalwart Andy Otten had 15 touches in his final game in the tri-colours.

The Crows led by eight points at half-time but three goals late in the third quarter had the Tigers take an 18-point advantage in the final term.  

From there, the Bays booted five goals to three to book themselves a Grand Final berth against the Power, who they lost to just last week after finishing on top of the ladder.