It was a fitting end to a magnificent season by the Australian Institute of Sport.

They may have fallen short in their final SEABL game, going down 90 - 106 to Frankston, but the year of hard work was exemplified through the energy, team work and skills running through each of the athletes against the Blues.

The AIS were extremely competitive which is a sensational achievement given the Tutes have played 16 games in the past 20 days and only flew into Australia on Sunday following their bronze medal placement at the William’s Jones Cup in Taiwan.

While there were signs of tiredness, something that coach Marty Clarke recognised, they threatened to halt Frankston’s quest from finishing first with a home final.

“It was huge part of [the loss,]” Clarke said.

“Obviously 24 hours of travel and nine games in the nine days before that in 36 degree heat is going to beat you around a bit.”

“But they didn’t actually play that bad, probably just a few lapses of concentration which a day without sleep does to you.

“But you can’t expect more than they give and I think they probably gave all they could.”

Due to team fatigue and injuries the AIS has withdrawn from this year’s SEABL final series as the Australian Emus prepare for the upcoming Oceania Qualifiers.

“It’s just a matter of getting through without getting anyone else hurt,” Clarke said.

But for Frankston it was the win they were seeking after receiving a heavy loss to the Canberra Gunners on Friday night.

Frankston will now host a home final and their prospect of winning the SEABL finals series was given a huge boost after their 16 point victory over the AIS.

For the Institutes Clint Steindl, it was his final SEABL match as he will shortly embark on a new journey at St Mary’s College in the USA.

He will join Carlin Hughes, Lucas Walker, Ben Allen and Patrick Mills.