With the result well beyond doubt, O’Connor, in his third season with the Blasters program, had finally tasted the ultimate success - and it felt good.
“It was such a tough season for us, and we knew tonight we had to grind it out until eventually they (Myrtleford) would break,” O’Connor said.
“There was a point I think in that third quarter, we got four stops in a row, and things just started to click.
“Credit to Myrtleford, they kept fighting right until the end, but to be able to click right then and go bang, we’re shutting this down, it was an amazing feeling.”
It was third time lucky for O’Connor, who was a member of Seymour's squad that fell one-point short in its semi-final in 2019 before losing last year’s grand final to Wallan.
But after remaining undefeated this season, Seymour’s winning formula arguably has been its defence, and it was here the Blasters - and O’Connor in particularly - shone in the final game of the 2020/21 season.
While putting 11 points on the board, it was ultimately O’Connor’s rebounding that proved most significant, with the centre duly rewarded with the MVP award.
“All season we’ve been able to hold teams to around that 50 point mark and Robbie (Sartori), Craig (Hockley), (Jack) Murphy always talk about how finals just comes down to defence,” he said.
“A focus for me was rebounds, to be that dominant force.
“Craig really worked with me this year on being able to be a strong base as I go to the ring, crashing boards, just effort every time.
“To be able to bring that to the group, I know that’s my role, and that goes a long way to us winning.”
And it's winning O'Connor hopes will continue to be a big part of Seymour's future moving forward.
“To come away with it this year shows how our program keeps growing, we keep getting better, we bring young kids in,” he said.
“It's not every day you're able to pull off the perfect season, so to be able to cement that and make a note, we're here to stay.
“We're not settling, we just want to win, play hard and get the W's every time that we can.”
O’Connor thanked the Benalla Basketball Association for hosting the finals event.
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