"It's the best [day of my life]," said 23-year-old To'omaga, who played four NRL games for the Bulldogs this year and finished with an 18-12 grand final win over the Newtown Jets on Sunday. "I kind of didn't want to tell all the boys, I only told a few because I didn't want them to be distracted or think I was distracted. I wanted to focus. [But] it's a great day for me." A great day for his club, too. Put through the wringer in the wake of the Mad Monday fallout, Canterbury is entitled to another party - albeit more subdued one - after crashing Newtown's parade. The Bulldogs trailed 10-0 in the first half after Kyle Flanagan wrestled his way over for the Jets, a feeder club for Cronulla, but swung the momentum seconds before half-time when ex-Shark Nu Brown latched onto a loose ball.

For large parts it appeared it would be Newtown's day. They enjoyed raucous support, the crowd was posted as 8974 (just two more than the attendance for every game at Henson Park) and they started the game as favourites. But the pivotal moment came with nine minutes left when Bulldogs centre Morgan Harper stripped the ball from Matt Evans on a kick return and dashed 20 metres for the matchwinner. There were memorable stories everywhere for the Bulldogs, who had veteran Greg Eastwood savour the moment after a heart scare earlier this year. And then there was Rhyse Martin, arguably the find of the year for Dean Pay's NRL side who walked on and walked off the field in a match last month just to qualify for the ISP finals. "I didn't have second thoughts about it once when I got asked to come back," Martin said. And neither did To'omaga, who only himself would be able to say if he would have proposed should his side have lost to Newtown.

"Every time [Scanlan's] wanted to go to the boot to put something in I say, 'no, I'll put it there'," To'omaga said. "This was the only way I could surprise her. I think she kind of knew it was coming, but she's been really nosy." Added Martin: "He told me this week and asked if it was OK to do it and I said, '100 per cent'. I loved it. That's how close this team is and you want to do it in front of your mates." Meanwhile, Cronulla capped a successful season when they beat Penrith 22-12 in the Jersey Flegg grand final. Canterbury Bulldogs 18 (Nu Brown, Josh Bergamin, Morgan Harper tries; Rhyse Martin 2, Josh Cleeland goals) defeated Newtown Jets 12 (Sione Katoa, Kyle Flanagan tries; Flanagan 2 goals) at Leichhardt Oval. Referees: