With the Eagles' injury curse striking centre half-forward George Verco before the game, Hultgren was brought into the side after a solid month in the reserves.
After taking an 11 point lead into quarter-time, the Eagles fell away as Grovedale rallied with four quick goals to snatch the lead.
Hultgren then go the Eagles going in the second half, kicking the first goal of the third term to bring his side within a goal.
Newtown & Chilwell coach Simon Sutterby said Hultgren was vital in his team's win.
"For Dylan to kick five goals and give us a much needed option up forward was fantastic," Sutterby said.
"With George out we needed someone who could play a role and move really well and I think that Dylan did that. We put some faith in him to come up and play and he repaid that faith."
In a tense last quarter, both teams had an opportunity to get the vital win.
With the Tigers' midfield of Paul Waldron and Aaron Gleeson winning plenty of the ball the Tigers looked like they could hold off the fast finishing Eagles.
However, a combination of great defending and poor decision making by Grovedale when it went inside its attacking 50 saw the Tigers unable to score.
"Our focus for the game, and I guess our season, was to make sure we didn't bomb it long every time we went forward," Grovedale coach Peter Raidme said.
"We had a few guys that were kicking it long and it cost us dearly in the end. I told the players to be patient and to make sure they spot their targets and to use the ball well. But at times especially in the last part ofthe last quarter, we didn't do that as well."
Raidme said the one point loss was shattering for his team.
"Both sides were really after the win, both teams needed the win." Raidme said.
"I guess Newtown & Chilwell just wanted it more than us in the end.
Ryan Reynolds, Geelong Advertiser, 29/06/2009
Last Modified on 13/11/2009 11:34