The co-coaching partnership of David Battistella and Ross Hedley has delivered the flag that eluded the Devils for nearly three decades.

A visibly relieved Battistella can certainly attest that it's been too long between drinks.

"It's been a long time coming, but finally!" he told supporters triumphantly on the presentation dais before receiving the premiership cup from league president Bill Baarini.

Devils defender Jarrod Arnott was so physically and emotionally taxed he could hardly breathe while speaking to the Weekly after the final siren.

The teenager - back pocket in the team of the year - epitomised the hard work ethic that carried the Devils to the title. "I'm just wrecked," he said. "I ran too hard."

He added: "We worked and worked and worked."

Arnott shared the pain of Hoppers Crossing's under-18 grand final loss last season.

He was "ecstatic" to make amends and erase some of that pain.

The single-minded no-frills youngster more than held his own in his defensive role. "Stop my player from getting the ball," he said of his mission. "That's all."

Asked if his side was ready for the challenge of the top flight next season, he said: "Oh yeah!"

Robbie Davis enjoyed an outstanding season for the Devils. His value was underlined as he nullified dangerous Magpies forward Mo Khartabil for three quarters before swinging forward and having an impact in attack.

The 29-year-old is one of the more experienced campaigners in the team, but he was no less excited by the feeling of winning a premiership.

"It's unbelievable," he said. "I can't explain it and I still can't believe it now." The cornerstone to the Devils' victory was their refusal to concede defeat. They fought back from a harrowing 22-point deficit at the start of the fourth for an unbelievable win.

"We've been told from the start of the year to never stop and we always harass and keep going," Davis said. "We knew our fitness would come through in the end." Davis put the debate over the much-talked-about co-coaching structure to bed. Questions about whether the coaches would deliver conflicting critiques or lock horns over game plans or team selections turned out to be irrelevant. "It's worked real well this year," Davis said. "You get a bit [of advice] from both of them. They've both got different styles and it's good to get both sides."