But there was much more than power and skill that Filisione Pauta brought to the Geurie Goats.

Pauta was sensational all season and delivered again in Saturday Northern Division grand final, scoring a fine individual try early in the match to help the Goats get out to a commanding lead.

His all-round game has been one of the major factors behind the Goats’ rise and the same can be said for his former Dubbo Kangaroos teammate, Moa Kavaefiafi.

Kavaefiafi also scored a try in the decider, a five-pointer late in the game to break the Redbacks’ hearts after the Wellington outfit rallied.

Both have been a class above all year, but Geurie coach Paul Hausia said the pair made everyone around them better as well.

“The intention was to make sure we had the experience that we needed and spread that right across the team,” he said after Saturday’s title win.

“With ‘Nons’ (Pauta) and Moa being here, all that did was flow through the rest of the team.

“They knew they were above and we had to bring everyone up to that level. They’re really good players.”