Jake Weatherald dedicated his Big Bash League-winning century to his Adelaide Strikers team-mates and coaching staff
The 23-year-old was averaging 24.36 heading into Sunday's final with Hobart Hurricanes, a figure boosted by fifties against Perth Scorchers and Melbourne Renegades in the previous two matches.
He found his rhythm at the Adelaide Oval, though, registering his first hundred in Twenty20.
Read: Adelaide Strikers crowned champions
Weatherald cleared the boundary on eight occasions and added nine fours as his 70-ball 115 laid the foundation for Adelaide's first Big Bash League title.
Chasing 203 to win, the Hurricanes came up 25 runs short, with Weatherald named man of the match for his sensational knock.
"I obviously dreamt of this when I go to bed, but I never imagined this," the opener told Channel Ten .
"They [his Strikers colleagues] have been so supportive and it's the best way to repay them.
"I was going to keep it simple when I went out. I had a few chats with a few guys around the country who gave me words of wisdom.
"I wasn't feeling great walking out, there were a few nerves but it came off well. It was cool to get a century."
Weatherald was ably supported by captain Travis Head with an unbeaten 44 off 29 balls, but rather than focus on his performance the Australia international hailed the Strikers' unity as they claimed the title in their first final.
"It is unbelievable, it's amazing, it's pretty special," said Head.
"The week leading into the final was unbelievable, there were questions over the squad [we assembled this year] but they were exceptional, they all backed each other.
"It's worked well. They were all match-winners. I couldn't fault the bowlers, they were exceptional. The batters were a bit slow at first but Jake Weatherald's is one of the unbelievable knocks."
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