NEWTOWN & Chilwell recorded its first win at St Mary's for a decade - 17.18 (120) to 17.13 (115) - but the match was not decided until the thrilling final few seconds.
After both sides used the wind to their advantage in the first half, the Eagles took a 13-point lead at the final break after VFL duo Matt Sully and Jai Sheahan combined for eight goals in the first three quarters.
The Saints responded to the cries of their supporters as recruit Romain Grenville swiftly set up goals to teammates Brenton Snowdon and Rob Condy, who celebrated his second major with gusto in an attempt to stir his former Eagles teammates.
Eagle Ryan Normington strengthened his side's lead with his third goal a few minutes later, but his following kick was intercepted by St Mary's teenager Mitch Etherton in a run for goal, allowing the Saints to claim a narrow lead at the 20-minute mark.
A crowd-stirring 40m sprint enabled David Wojcinski to pull off a Wayne Harmes-style knock-on assist, however it was rushed by the Saints' defenders.
A similar ground contest in the St Mary's forward line minutes later resulted in a free kick to Grenville, who expanded his side's lead to two goals.
Another trademark Wojcinski sprint allowed his fellow AFL recruit Piers Flanagan to kick his first goal in red and black.
As the clock passed 32 minutes, Grenville was rewarded with another free kick, hoping to kick his sixth goal to hand his side a two-goal lead.
Unfortunately for St Mary's, his kick missed, leaving Flanagan to win the match on the run, launching a 40m left-footed goal 10 seconds before the siren sounded.
"I wasn't really satisfied when I put the boot to ball because I thought it was going to swing back and we were going to lose the game," Flanagan said.
Newtown & Chilwell coach Jacob Spolding was stunned when celebrating the narrow victory.
"In a game like that you just hoped that the boys could get the footy because St Mary's were just fantastic today (and we knew they were going to be)," Spolding said.
"There was a bit of luck involved but there was also some good management, so to get the four points is an amazing feeling."
He said VFL stars Matt Sully and Piers Flanagan exceeded expectations in their first GFL hitout for 2013.
Last Modified on 23/01/2014 18:42