Instead the Goannas would depart Newcastle's McDonald Jones stadium as the first side held scoreless in a first grade season decider since 1992 when suffering an unenviable 36-0 defeat to Western Suburbs.

However former Greta Branxton Colts' junior Connor Kirkwood was no stranger to Cessnock's grand final history.

In the lead up the spotlight was cast on the halfback, who claimed the man of the match honours in the 2017 under-19 season decider, and his famous family ties with the club.

"My uncle was the toughest bloke I've seen play the game and played in the toughest position on the field," Kirkwood told the Singleton Argus after a photo with his 2003 premiership winning uncle Luke Thomas resurfaced on social media pages.

"So I've aspired to play the way in which he did."

"You even ask his own teammates and they'll describe him as 'the player everyone wanted to play with'."

Thomas would play over 150 first grade games for Cessnock before being named a life member of the club.

Kirkwood was then poised to join him on the premiership podium.

"I remember as a kid on holidays he'd wake me up early every morning to go for a run or do some sort of fitness session," the 21-year-old continued.

"And I remember going to every Cessnock game as a young bloke dressed up in the full footy kit kicking the ball non stop on the sidelines with the other kids and on the field at halftime."

Unfortunately the Goannas miracle finals run, which included victories over Maitland (14-10), South Newcastle (32-28) and Central Newcastle (34-8), came to an end in the early stages of Sunday's piece.

But the connections continued as the Rosellas' outgoing coach Matt Lantry held up the trophy to secure the club's double premiership title.

Lantry, who also coached Greta Branxton, will now take over from Luke Dorn as the coach of Maitland after the Pickers dangled a lucrative two year deal in front of the former Knights NSW Cup coach.

"I have enormous amounts of respect for Matt not only as a coach but as a person," Kirkwood concluded.

"He's always been really good to me and I respect and admire everything he's achieved in the game."

Maitland prevailed in the opens season decider while Lakes (under 19s) and Central (Women's Blues Tag) celebrated their fortunes earlier in the day.

FINAL SCORES

WESTERN SUBURBS 36 (Ryan Walker 3, Ben Stone, Mao Uta, Malu Fiu tires; Ryan Walsh 6 conversions) defeated CESSNOCK 0