The Blues were going for their third-straight flag against top team Rowville on Saturday and led by eight points at three-quarter time before the Hawks turned on their top form and powered to a 19-point win at East Burwood Reserve.

Blues coach Erwin Anadoli said his side always faced a tough battle, as the Hawks had lost only one game all year.

He said the youthful Hawks' run through midfield and their use of a strong wind was too much for his side.

"The wind picked up a fair bit in the last term but our mistake was not being in front by a lot more at three-quarter time," Anadoli said.

"They got more of the ball and moved it a lot quicker and we also missed some chances in front of goal but that's football.

"In the end we didn't play four quarters of footy and you have to do that against top sides."

Anadoli, who will return as reserves coach next season, said his side now had to take the hurt from their losing grand final and channel it into preparing for season 2012.

"Something I said to the boys after the game was that it was going to be hard to win three in a row; next year we need to get back what they have taken off us. We will lose a few players who will retire or travel overseas but we will also pick up a few, including some handy kids from the under-18s."

Anadoli said on-baller Jeremy Poustie was best player for his side, along with Jason Rowe on the half-back flank.

EFL division 2 reserves grand final:

Rowville 2.2, 2.5, 6.7, 11.8 (74)

Waverley Blues 2.1, 3.1, 8.3, 8.7 (55)

Goals: Rowville: J. Davis 3, S. Blackburn 3, M. Wynne, K. Jeffreys, A. Ziegerink, C. Toth, L. Broad 1; Waverley Blues: M. Coker 2, J. Rowe, D. Johnson, G. Saultry, D. Butler, C. Price, B. Smith. Best: Rowville: T. Allen, S. Visca, C. Toth, J. Healey-Rotheram, M. Carey, A. Ziegerink. Waverley Blues: J. Poustie, J. Rowe, M. Coker, T. MacAulay, J. Mann, C. Price.