It has been a tremendous finish to the Big Bash League from the Heat, who for much of the campaign didn’t look likely to even participate in the semi finals.
However, a thumping win over the Hobart Hurricanes in the final qualifying game saw them secure fourth position and then the Heat went to Etihad Stadium and upset the Melbourne Renegades to qualify for Saturday night's final at the WACA.
The Scorchers themselves had to turn things around after a disastrous Champions League in South Africa and then losing the first two games at home to the Adelaide Strikers and Melbourne Stars, but they struck form after that.
They hosted the semi-final with the Stars on Wednesday and won an incredible contest to earn the right to host the BBL final for a second straight year, but like last year they have lost a final at the WACA – last year it was to the Sydney Sixers and this year to the Heat.
The Heat made a competitive 5-167 in their 20 overs after electing to bat first but it was hardly a total that would have struck fear into the Scorchers, especially with the form Shaun Marsh has been in.
Marcos Stoinis came in to open with Marsh to replace the injured Herschelle Gibbs, but Stoinis failed to have an impact out in the second over for one caught by Nathan Hauritz off West Indian Kemar Roach.
March and Marcus North then combined for 33, but it was slow going at less than a run a ball when the Scorchers picked up the crucial wicket of Marsh for 16 off just 24 balls.
North struggled to just 24 before falling to Dan Christian, but Adam Voges was still at the crease giving Perth a slight chance of what was increasingly looking to be an unlikely victory.
He couldn’t find help at the other end, though, with the Heat bowlers proving simply too good. Nathan Coulter-Nile made just 16, Michael Hussey 10, Simon Katich 0, Alfonso Thomas 2 and Brad Hogg 1 as the Scorchers crumbled.
Voges tried hard making 49 from 32, but when he fell with the score 7-126 it was all but over for the Scorchers with the Heat cruising to the BBL title restricting them to just 9-133 from 20 overs to win by 34 runs.
Roach was outstanding with the ball for the Heat finishing with 3-18 from his four overs. Alister McDermott took 2-20, Cutting 2-31, Christian 1-24, Chris Lynn 1-23 and Hauritz 0-11 from three.
Earlier, the Heat lost captain James Hopes before the toss due to a hamstring complaint with wicket-keeper Chris Hartley taking over from him and he elected to bat first when after he won the toss.
The semi-final hero Luke Pomersbach and Peter Forrest made a solid enough start but Scorchers bowlers Michael Beer and Thomas did well keeping the runs down early.
The opening partnership came to an end on 26 in the fifth over when Forrest was out for 17 from 16, caught by Coulter-Nile off Jason Behrendorff.
Pomersbach and Joe Burns then went about ensuring the Heat would at least made a good score for the Scorchers to chase combining for 56 before Pomersbach was out for 37 from 38 balls.
Burns and Christian then put on 31 in just 12 balls for the third wicket before Burns was caught by Hogg off Beer for 43 from 27 balls. His innings included four boundaries and two sixes.
Christian kept going, though, making a crucial 37 from 21 balls with five fours and a six before being bowled by Coulter-Nile.
Cutting and Hartley then made seven each not out at the finish to help the Heat to 5-167.
Behrendorff finished with 2-38 from four overs for the Scorchers with Beer taking 1-26, Coulter-Nile 1-47 and Hogg 1-19.